Outside door handle not lying flush

[freejack5555]

Hey guys, just need some help with the outside door handle. The handle isnt lying flush inside the casing. It lies flat in the door itself but the handle isn't. It looks like it is about a half inch open even though it has locked. I cant seem to find how to adjust the handle on the vertical shaft so it will lie flush when closed. Here is a picture of what I mean. Thanks for the help.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by freejack5555

Hey guys, just need some help with the outside door handle. The handle isnt lying flush inside the casing. It lies flat in the door itself but the handle isn't. It looks like it is about a half inch open even though it has locked. I cant seem to find how to adjust the handle on the vertical shaft so it will lie flush when closed. Here is a picture of what I mean. Thanks for the help.

That problem, is very common.

Someone tried to force the lock open.

The will be a part or two on the backside, that is bent.


It could be a simple bend in a split pin that the vertical locking shaft pushes
the striker bolt.

Andy

[freejack5555]

How do I remove this pin to check. It Doesn't seem like its bent but I guess it is. I'm afraid if I try and bend it back that the head of the vertical shaft will pop off. ugh. Here are a few more views if its helpful.

[HowieE]

I think you have lost the handle return spring. If this is the case you should be able to push the handle in flush with the frame. If you can't push the handle in flush than yes something is bent.

If it is the spring you are going to have to make one. I stopped at Jackson 6 years ago and the locksmith there charged me $10.00 for one he had at home. Yes a crock but he had one and I did not.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by freejack5555

How do I remove this pin to check. It Doesn't seem like its bent but I guess it is. I'm afraid if I try and bend it back that the head of the vertical shaft will pop off. ugh. Here are a few more views if its helpful.

Straighten the split pin,and that will fix the problem.

You also have a bad groove in the striker bolt, which will make you force the door inwards, so that you can open it, as the striker bolt is hanging up on the striker pocket, which also may be bad, along with the hard to see brass shim that's in that pocket.

The groove in the striker bolt, is what cause the split pin to bend, because your forcing the handle, but it doesn't want to move because of the groove, that's hung up on the striker pocket. As a result, you will bend the pin, everytime.

Andy

[Ganglin]

In your photo - have you tried to remove the pin and have it partially out....

It needs to extend thru the shaft and even out the spring hold back ( probably what Andy is trying to tell you..??).

See this diagram - it might help:

Airstream Lock 1970-77

[freejack5555]

I straightened the pin and bent the vertical shaft a bit. It lies flush now and in true Airstream spirit I know notice the need to spend some money on a handle spring. Thanks for the help.