How to Fix a Broken Door Spindle

The spindle on a doorknob is the cylindrical screw that attaches to both doorknobs on either side of the door and connects to the latch, which allows the door to open. If the spindle is broken or misaligned in your doorknob the door won’t open properly when you turn the knob. To fix this problem you might need to replace the old spindle with a new spindle.

Screwdriver
Spindle

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the knob plate from either side of the door that holds the doorknobs in place.
- 2
  Turn the doorknobs to the left to unscrew them from the spindle. Set the knobs and plates aside.
- 3
  Examine the spindle inside the door. If the latch mechanism has come loose from it, reattach it to the spindle. If the spindle is broken, remove the latch from it and pull the spindle out of the door.
- 4
  Place a new spindle in the door and clip the latch over the center of the spindle so it will move when the doorknobs turn.
- 5
  Slip the plates over the open ends of the spindle. Twist the doorknobs back onto the spindle until they are tight. Turn the knob to be sure the spindle is working.

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