A Step by Step Guide to Fixing a Broken Electric Vehicle Door Handle

How to fix a door handle that is loose - a step-by-step guide

The more jobs around the house we can do ourselves saves time, money and stress. So learning things like how to fix a door handle that is loose is a great skill to add to your arsenal.

Being able to fix a loose handle means you can keep your current handle or door knob without having to replace it, because replacing one would mean replacing the set, if you want to keep them all matching. Just like with fixing a door that sticks, this is a DIY job that will save you time, money and effort down the line.

'A loose door handle can be caused by a few things, including general wear over time, a loose screw, or even a malfunction of the handle or knob mechanism,' says Karl Huckerby, CEO, Square and Spare. 'Luckily, fixing door handles or knobs is usually a pretty easy fix, meaning there's no need to replace anything.'

(Image credit: Future PLC/Alistair Nicholls)

How to fix a door handle that is loose

We've asked the experts and put together a step-by-step guide to show you how to fix a door handle that is loose with minimum hassle. You'll be glad to know that this is a relatively easy DIY project that can be done in as little as 10 minutes, so there's no excuse not to grab your screwdriver and get cracking.

Firstly, check whether you can see the screws on your door handle. If you can't, you can jump straight to the section on how to fix a door handle that is loose with hidden screws.

How to fix a door handle that is loose with exposed screws

If the screws in your door handle are already visible, you can learn how to fix a door handle that is loose relatively quicker than one with hidden screws. A door handle with exposed screws will usually have four screws, one in each corner of the plate.

1. Remove the handle or doorknob

(Image credit: Smile Kitchens)

Find the set screw that holds the doorknob or handle in place. This is normally on the inside of the door, and can be loosened with an appropriate screwdriver from your essential DIY toolkit. Loosening the screws will allow you to remove the handle.

2. Rotate the shaft

The spindle, or shaft, will either be 'threaded' or 'unthreaded'. If the spindle is threaded, it will have markings going along the length of it, and you will need to rotate its handle so that it sits correctly in the door. If the shaft is unthreaded (i.e. no markings), there's no need to rotate the handle.

3. Place the handle on the spindle

Then, place the knob or handle on the spindle correctly by realigning the holes. Make sure that the face plate is also in the correct place.

4. Tighten the screw set

Tighten the screw set with the screwdriver to secure the door handle back in place, and that's it! You've now learned how to fix a door handle that is loose with exposed screws.

How to fix a door handle that is loose with hidden screws

Learning how to fix a door handle that is loose with hidden screws requires an extra step, because the screws must first be located. But it's still a job straightforward enough to do yourself and unlikely to result in any dramatic DIY mistakes.

1. Locate the detent hole

(Image credit: Yale)

'On door knobs or handles with hidden screws, there is such a thing called a detent hole, which needs to be found in order to access the screws,' explains Karl from Square and Spare. 'The detent is a little pin that sticks out of the hole in the doorknob or handle.'

To locate the detent hole, you may need to remove the cover plate first with a flathead screwdriver. Once the detent is exposed, use a flathead screwdriver to press on the pin and remove the handle from the shaft.

Alternatively, round cover plates may need to be turned anti-clockwise to be unscrewed first,' explains Thomas Goodman, Property Expert, MyJobQuote. 'If not, prise it off carefully with a flathead screwdriver.'

2. Remove the handle or doorknob

(Image credit: Homebase)

Remove the door handle/knob base. Use the flathead screwdriver to gently loosen the ring.

3. Tighten the screws

Once the ring is removed, all screws should be visible, so you can use the correct screwdrivers to tighten them individually. 'Make sure that you keep hold of the backing plate while doing this, so that it doesn't tighten onto the door wonkily,' advises Karl from Square and Spare.

Note that if the screws seem damaged in any way, they may need to be replaced with a new set, which you can purchase online or from a DIY store.

4. Reattach the handle and test

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

After tightening every screw, put the ring back on the backing plate, and the handle or knob back over the shaft. Gradually turn the handle or knob so that it lines up correctly and the detent hole clicks into place with the knob/handle.

Your door handle should no longer be loose, and you should be able to move it up and down (or around) securely.

What causes a loose door handle?

(Image credit: Homebase)

Door handles will often become loose over time, as screws have a tendency to move from their original place. Repeated use of a handle will cause it to loosen, so maintaining a gentler approach when using them will help.

'Door mechanisms and fixings can work loose over time, especially if theyre heavily used,' explains Thomas from MyJobQuote. 'Poor fitting and cheap materials can also be a factor.'

'One of the main reasons that door handles may come loose is due to the handle being misaligned when screwed in,' adds Christopher Varghese, Ecommerce Executive, GTSE. 'This misalignment can cause tension making the screw hole larger, the more it is used, which loosens the screws.'

It's worth learning how to fix a door handle that is loose as soon as you notice the problem, so it doesn't worsen and you're still able to repair it without replacing it. Fortunately, it's usually just a case of removing the handle and tightening the screws, not as complex as learning how to hang a door.

Can you tighten a loose door handle?

(Image credit: Homebase)

In most cases, you can tighten a loose door handle, but it's important to first check what the issue is. If it's a problem with the handle itself rather than loose screws, it might not be as simple as tightening the screws.

'If your door handle has had many years of use, it may be worth replacing the door handle, but in most cases, loose screws dont mean the handle isnt up to scratch,' says Wayne Kennedy, Head of Consumer Support, Yale.

'We only recommend changing the handle if the door has the incorrect handle set required or there is a mechanical handle failure.' In other instances, you can simply tighten the screws.

How do you fix a loose spindle on a door knob?

(Image credit: Homebase)

A loose spindle means your door knob isn't attached securely and will therefore be able to spin freely. 'If the spindle on an old or traditional style of door knob feels loose, its usually the case that theres a small screw thats loose', explains Thomas from MyJobQuote.

There should be a little screw on the door knob collar that fits into the groove of the spindle. 'Check to see if this is worn or dirty as it may need cleaning or replacing,' adds Thomas.

'The screw may be loose because the screw hole has become larger,' says Christopher from GTSE. 'Our useful tip is to fill the hole with small splinters of a wooden coffee stirrer or ice lolly stick and then screw the metal screws back in.' This will fill the excess room in the hole so the screw can sit securely in place.

How to Replace a Door Handle

Co-authored by:

Locksmith

This article was co-authored by

Robert Vallelunga

. Robert Vallelunga is a Locksmith and the Owner of ACME Locksmith in the Phoenix Metro Area. Robert has over 15 years of experience in the industry and specializes in working with automotive ignitions, locks, keys, and master key systems. Robert and the team at ACME are the #1 Rated Phoenix Locksmith Service and the Winner of the Better Business Bureau Ethics Award. Robert has his Residential & Commercial Contractors License and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. This article has been viewed 163,387 times.

Co-authors: 5

Updated: January 31, 2024

Views:163,387

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 163,387 times.

How to Fix an Internal Door Handle

What tools do you need?

- Screwdriver

- Hex or Allen key

- Lubricant such as D40 (useful for a stiff door handle repair)

- Drill

- New door handle (if required)

Prepare & plan

- Before you begin to fix your door handle, try to figure out what the issue is. The most common causes include the door latch sticking or becoming loose.

- Many door handles becoming broken because of the issue with the tubular latch. Situated within a door handle, this problem can be easily fixed.

- Theres a range of door handles available, make sure you know exactly what type you currently have. This will make it much easier to diagnose and fix the problem.

How to fix an internal door handle

After youve completed the above, youre now ready to start the process of fixing an internal door handle. Heres how to do it:

1) Use the screwdriver to carefully remove the door handle and latch from the door. Depending on what type of door handle you have, the method of removal may be slightly different. For example, some door handles include a grub screw which is located on the neck of the handle. When removing the door handle, try using a hex or Allen key.

2) Once the door handle has been removed, you should now check for any obstructions or clear signs of damage from underneath the door handle plates. Alternatively, try operating the handle as you normally would and check the spring isnt broken within the handle.

On occasions when the spring is damaged, then you may need to replace the handle altogether. If the spring is still intact, then try applying WD40 lubricant which should do the trick.

3) If youve visually inspected the door handle and found no internal damage, then the problem lies with the tubular latch. In this case, remove the latch from the door by loosening the screws at the side of the faceplate which is located at the edge of the door. You should then be able to slide the tubular latch out of the door.

4) Afterwards, you should check the tubular latch for any wear or damage. The main culprits to look out for are loose springs or parts that stick out. You can check this by trying to press the latch bolt tongue inwards, if you cant do this then its most likely broken and beyond economic repair.

5) Another check to look out for is any debris thats blocking up the lugs in the door handle. Obstructed lugs mean theres no way for the lock follower to function properly. The lock follower is the vital part of the handle lock or latch.

This also means theres a possibility that when the handle was fitted the borehole width was made too small. To amend this, simply make the borehole wider using a screwdriver or drill.

Tips to avoid issues

- Try and avoid completely unscrewing the grub screw. Due to their small size, theyre easily lost. Instead, turn a quarter or half a turn and then simply remove them.

- If youre struggling with the repair or the issue persists, then you should contact a locksmith or door specialist to inspect it for you. The last thing you want to do is make the situation worse.

- Door handles can gradually become wobbly or loose over time due to wear and tear. To repair, simply adjust and tighten again using a screwdriver or Allen key.

How to repair front door handles

How to fix front door handles

Heres a step-by-step guide to help you fix your front door handle:

Step one: Remove the door handle to repair or replace parts

If the problem isnt immediately apparent or you need to replace parts, you may need to remove the door handle altogether.

If you can see the screws, use a screwdriver or Allen key to loosen the screws and remove the handle or knob.

If you cant see the screws, it might be a little more tricky. Youll need to look for something called a detent access hole. This is a small hole that contains a pin that keeps the door knob or handles secure. Use a flathead screwdriver to press down on the pin, then spin the shaft to allow you to remove the knob or handle.

Step two: Detach the base

After the handle is out of the way, youll need to remove the base. Grab your flathead screwdriver and ease it under the ring. Take care not to scratch or damage the backplate if you do, the handle is unlikely to fit correctly, and a locksmith call out will be essential.

Step three: Check for loose screws and tighten as necessary

Once the base has been removed, youll have a clear view of the screws. Each screw runs right through the door to the backing plate and does the important job of holding the handle or knob as one piece. Keep the backing plate steady while you carefully tighten each screw.

Step four: Put everything back together

Once the screws are tightened, you can start to put everything back together. The base plate should slot back in but sometimes there are additional clips to secure it. After the base plate is secure, its simply a case of placing the handle or knob over the spindle shaft, taking care to line up with the screw holes or detent hole.

Finally, replace the screws or tighten the detent, and youll be good to go with your newly fixed, fully functioning door handle or door knob.

What should you do if the door handle needs adjustment?

If the door handle or door knob is spinning around but not doing anything, it generally means the small set screw has worked loose and lost its purchase.

Youll need a screwdriver or Allen key, then look around the base of the doorknob and tighten the loose screw. It may be that the screw has got lost at some point. If this is the case, remove the door handle, following the steps above, and take the whole piece to the hardware or DIY store to get the right sized replacement screws.

What if you need to replace the handle completely?

If the handle cannot be repaired, then a new handle may be the only option. A hardware store should be able to help you find a suitable replacement, then you need to fit the handle. You can find out more about installing a front door handle in our guide.

Removing rust or dirt

Rust build-up will impede the lock and handle of the door, making it hard for the key or knob to turn; its easy to remove the rust and can be an effective solution to a faulty door handle.

Step 1: Gather your equipment

You can use various solutions to remove rust. Vinegar and baking soda can be very effective, or you can use a special rust remover. Youll also need a bowl thats large enough to submerge the lock, clean cloths, and a clear spray.

Step 2: Remove the handle

Follow the stages above to remove the handle.

Step 3: Clean the handle

Fill your container with vinegar and submerge the handle. Let the handle sit for 24 hours.

Step 4: Remove any rusty residue

Coat the handle with baking soda, then douse in clean water scrubbing as you go this will remove any remaining rusty residue.

Step 5: Allow to air dry and protect against further build-up

Its essential to allow the handle and locks to air dry for a minimum of 8 hours. Then use a clear coating to prevent further rust or dirt from building up.

Step 6: Reassemble

Follow the steps above to reassemble your handle.

Is it always wise to DIY?

Because this is an exterior door, you could compromise the security of your home, so if youve any concerns about your skills in this area or about having the necessary tools, it may be wise to call in professionals. You can be confident we will fix the problem and minimise the amount of time your home is unsecured.

If youd like to find out more about choosing the best type of front door for your home, please contact our expert team today.