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How to remove garage door T lock?

I am trying to remove this old t lock and replace it with a new one.

I’ve undone the screws however I’m unable to pull it out because of this brown circle thing that’s holding it in place (red arrow is pointing to it).

whats the trick?
how do I get it out?

thanks!

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Accepted answers

Nailbag

Hi @diy_vvv

I replace these handles on a fairly regular basis and if you haven't already, this is the one I buy as to date it's been a direct replacement every time. It's very rare to see a locking ring fitted to the main shaft, so don't be concerned when the new one doesn't have one. So, don't worry about destroying trying to pry it off and a replacement won't be required.

Before taking the old one off (if not already), it's handy to take a couple of photos showing the exact position of each layer of the parts. Not just for the order, but oriantation. In particular the part I have highlighted. This is what pulls the cables in when the outer handle is turned. If its orientation is wrong the handle will turn, but this part won't turn to pull in the cable's. It's done my head in so many times when I've not take the photo's. Now I keep the ones below.

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 7.52.15 am.png

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 7.51.33 am.png

Here are a few other tips.

When fitting the shaft bolts to the handle, do them up as firmly as possible before fitting the handle. If not, they have a tendency to turn and pop out during assembly.

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 8.07.43 am.png

Have the door ajar with a helper on the outside applying pressure on the handle. Otherwise use a good wide cloth tape to hold it in position. This is what the purpose of the original shaft ring would have been performing @MitchellMc named.

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 8.04.19 am.png

Assembling all the parts with only two hands is problematic and more so if the door is up, because nothing holds them in place as you reach and fit each part, while also referring to the assembly photo. When a door doesn't stay ajar and wants to swing up, I leave it up and use a large wheelie bin I can position to use as a table for the parts.

Once assembled, test the outside and inner handle work correctly before fully tightening the nuts. Then I either add a few drop of thread-lock or fit the old nuts as locking nuts.

Hope this helps. Nailbag

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JacobZ

Hi @diy_vvv,

I think you'll find that the answer is a little bit more force and considering you are looking to replace the lock, there's no harm being a bit more aggressive.

Have you tried tapping the spindle out with a hammer? I imagine this should get things moving and will allow you to get the handle off.

If this doesn't prove useful, you could try putting a screwdriver down through the slots in the brown circle piece and bending them up.

Give these options a try and let me know how you go.

Jacob

diy_vvv

Thanks Jacob, I’ve tried the hammer which didn’t work.
I will try a screw driver.

The other question is, what can I use to secure those pieces around the spindle once I break the brown circle?

thanks!

MitchellMc

Hi @diy_vvv,

Could you please provide a little more information on what you'd like to secure around the spindle. I'm not sure if I follow.

Many thanks.

Mitchell

diy_vvv

Sure thing.

my logic is that, without that small brown circle (which Jacob i think is suggesting I break ) the other pieces won’t stay in place,

so once i break it to replace the T lock, what else could I use to hold those pieces in place?

MitchellMc

Does your new T-lock not come with fixings for it @diy_vvv?

That small brown circle is called a shaft ring and there might be a suitable replacement in this Pinnacle Black Assorted Shaft Rings - 12 Pack. You can typically get them off without breaking them by levering around the outside at different positions. It will take some time to shimmy it off as its job is to lock onto the shaft and not come off. You can try lubricating the shaft and bending the wings slightly away from it. Once you get it off, you can bend the wings back towards the middle so they grip your new shaft.

Mitchell

diy_vvv

Shaft rings! Thank you for giving them a name!

super helpful, will give it a go, thanks!

Nailbag

Hi @diy_vvv

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 7.52.15 am.png

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 7.51.33 am.png

Here are a few other tips.

When fitting the shaft bolts to the handle, do them up as firmly as possible before fitting the handle. If not, they have a tendency to turn and pop out during assembly.

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 8.07.43 am.png

Screenshot 2025-01-11 at 8.04.19 am.png

Once assembled, test the outside and inner handle work correctly before fully tightening the nuts. Then I either add a few drop of thread-lock or fit the old nuts as locking nuts.

Hope this helps. Nailbag

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