How to Replace a Door Lock Set

There is no need to hire a handyman to install a new lock set. With one simple tool, the job can be done in about 20 minutes. A door lock set typically consists of the locking doorknob, a deadbolt, and two sets of keys. These are purchased together in one package.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver
• New lock set

Instructions

Remove Old Lock Set and Install New

1. 

   Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws from the two strike plates on the edge of the door. Take the strike plates off the door. Use the screwdriver to loosen and remove the screws from the doorknob and the deadbolt cover. The screws are on the interior side of the door.

2. 

   Pull out both doorknobs. Pull off both deadbolt cover plates from each side of the door. After you have removed the doorknobs and the deadbolt cover plates, remove the door latch barrel assembly and the deadbolt assembly. These will slide out of the edge of the door where the strike plates were located.

3. Insert the door latch barrel into the lower strike plate hole on the edge of the door. There are arrows indicating which side of the barrel is up. Place the strike plate over the door latch. Use two small screws and your screwdriver to secure the strike plate to the door edge. Insert the deadbolt into the upper hole on the edge of the door. There will be arrows indicating which side is up. Place the deadbolt strike plate cover over the deadbolt. Use two small screws and your screwdriver to secure the strike plate.

4. Place the keyed side of the doorknob on the exterior side of the door. There are two set screw barrels that must be lined up with the set screw holes in the door latch barrel assembly. Place the interior doorknob on the door and line up the set screw holes with the holes in the door latch barrel assembly. Insert two long set screws into the holes on the interior side of the door and tighten with your screwdriver.

5. Place the keyed side of the deadbolt cover plate on the exterior side of the door. Line up the set screw barrels with the set screw holes in the deadbolt assembly. Place the interior deadbolt cover plate on the door. Align the set screw holes with the set screw holes in the deadbolt assembly. Insert two long set screws into the holes and tighten with your screwdriver.

6. Remove the old strike plates from the doorjamb with your screwdriver. Install the two new strike plates. Secure the strike plates with the available screws and tighten with your screwdriver. The deadbolt strike plate will use the longer screws.

Tips & Warnings

• When installing the doorknobs you have to hold both sides at the same time with one hand and start the first set screw with the other hand to keep the holes lined up. It is the same with the deadbolt. It is easier to install the doorknobs if you kneel down so that you can see the set screw holes at eye level.