How To: Remove and Replace a Doorknob

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about How To: Remove and Replace a Doorknob and hope the blog can help you.

Hidden screws may make this task seem mysterious. The right tools—and this guide—turn it into a simple matter.

We think of a doorknob as ubiquitous and mundane, yet a closer inspection can sometimes prove puzzling, leaving you to wonder, Where are the screws that hold it in place? They’re there, all right, if not outright visible then hidden beneath the cosmetic collar known as the “rose.” Removing and replacing the knob requires you to reach these screws without damaging the door.

Before You Begin
Before you can tackle the easy-enough-to-DIY chore, first understand the types of doorknobs on the market:

• Most modern, standard-issue doorknobs are sold as a lockset, complete with all necessary hardware—knob, rose, spindle, latch (also called a striker), and latch plate. Some of these knobs have recessed hex-head screws, reachable with a compatible Allen wrench.
• Others have a thin hole through which you insert a firm wire (a straightened-out paper clip is perfect) to press on a spring-activated pin called a detent; this releases the knob from the spindle or shaft that connects both knobs through the latch assembly.
• On still other knobs, the detent access hole is actually a slot; use a thin, flat-head screwdriver to reach the detent with this type.

Determining which category your existing knob falls into will dictate the best way to remove and replace it for a more updated style.