Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver
- Measure tape
- ¼ inch plywood
- 2 clamps
- Hole saw
- Hole saw bit
- File
- Pencil
- New deadbolt
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Step 1
Unscrew and take the old deadbolt out of the door. You will be removing the actual bolt on the side of the door and the cylinder, which is the complete round surface that sticks out to turn. Once you remove the lock, take your measuring tape and measure the size of the hole. You need to measure the size of the cylinder and the distance from the center of the hole to the edge of the door. You need these measurements before shopping for your new deadbolt unit.
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Step 2
Take and test your new deadbolt on your door. Make sure everything fits correctly. If the hole is too small for your new deadbolt, you can enlarge it. Do these next steps only if you need to make a bigger hole for the deadbolt. If yours fits correctly, skip to the last step.
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Step 3
Clamp your piece of plywood over the hole in the door where the deadbolt will go. One clamp will go on the top and one at the bottom. Take your pencil to mark your hole on the plywood vertically and horizontally center of the new cylinder hole. Use the piece of plywood to serve as a centering guide when cutting your new, larger hole. Cut through the plywood, then one side of the door.
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Step 4
Make your cut, straight and level. After boring the hole with your saw, clean it out with a file. Test fit your deadbolt. Make additional adjustments if necessary. When complete, everything will fit flush.
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Step 5
Screw in the two screws on the inside for the new deadbolt and then screw in the new cylinder.
