Door handle problem

[agnes the dog]

My interior door handle keeps falling off. I have the lever type that rotates on the splined shaft, held on by an allen head set screw. I have tightened the set screw over and over and it only lasts maybe a month. Then it's back to falling off when I shut the door. It appears that the splines are intact, but maybe not enough to hold the handle on?? Anyone have a fix for this? I'm getting too used to opening it from the outside.

I am also considering a way to turn it into more of a knob than a handle. I'm interested to see if anyone has any brainstorms for this.... Maybe threading the shaft and using a flat style shift knob??? Just thinking out loud...

[HiRMKin]

Just a thought but would there be a hairline crack in the handle around the threads for the allen set screw. If there is the set screw will never stay tight.

[solidaxel]

I drill a pilot hole in the shaft at the location of the set screw and put some Teflon tape on the set screw.

[Katrina/10]

If you look inside the hole in the handle, you will see a set of larger threads above the set screw. This is for a lock bolt that screws down on top of the set screw. Basically a set screw on a set screw. If you put the second one in, the first one won't loosen up.

[mknittle]

use blue locktite{serviceable} on the screw if everything else is good. Teflon tape would work but putting it on would be a kin to brain surgery on an insect.

[NEWFISHER]

Do you have arm rests? My handle was always falling off before I installed arm rests. I would use the handle to pull the door closed, only making the issue worse. I tried all of the tricks, marking the screw with grease and drilling a pilot hole in the regulator shaft was the final answer and it seemed to work the best. I installed arm rests and not only are they comfortable, but everyone uses them to pull the doors closed instead of the handles and I haven't had a problem since.

[agnes the dog]

Lots of good ideas! I might incorporate all of them. No cracks in the handle and no arm rests. I only use the door edge to pull it shut since I have to slam it. :-) thanks for the suggestions!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by mknittle

...Teflon tape would work but putting it on would be a kin to brain surgery on an insect.

You guys make me laugh out loud. Then my co-workers think I'm (more) nuts.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

If you look inside the hole in the handle, you will see a set of larger threads above the set screw. This is for a lock bolt that screws down on top of the set screw. Basically a set screw on a set screw. If you put the second one in, the first one won't loosen up.

Maybe someone along the line tapped the second set?? Mine only has one set of threads and the screw is flush with the knob housing when tightened.