How to Adjust a Spindle Mortise Lock on a Door

A mortise is a recess carved into the edge of the door into which the lock is inserted. The door handles connect to each other through a spindle that runs through the lock set. A spindle is a thin metal rod that sometimes has threaded ends or a series of holes for mounting the door handles. A common repair that occurs over time with mortise locks is that one or both knobs become loose on the spindle. Adjust this yourself to allow the knobs to operate properly.

Screwdriver/Allen wrench
Fingernail polish

Instructions

- 1
  Open the door partially and stand on the interior side of the door. Loosen the set screw on the shank of the interior doorknob by turning it counterclockwise with a screwdriver or an Allen wrench.
- 2
  Grip the exterior doorknob with one hand and twist the interior doorknob clockwise until it seats fully against the spindle.
- 3
  Tighten the set screw using the screwdriver or Allen wrench until you feel it press against the spindle's flat edge. Wiggle the set screw slightly to adjust it to press flat against the spindle instead of at an angle.
- 4
  Twist the doorknob to make sure the knobs turn smoothly and the latch bolt extends and retracts properly. Remove the set screw from the interior door handle using the screwdriver or Allen wrench if the handles don't operate smoothly.
- 5
  Coat the threads on the set screw with fingernail polish and reinstall the screw into the knob shank. Repeat this for the exterior doorknob.

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