Due to their size and weight, many people avoid making repairs on sliding glass doors when at all possible. Major repairs can often be avoided by keeping up with required maintenance but, in some cases, repairs are necessary and unavoidable. This is often true when it comes to handles and their related hardware. 

There are parts of a handle that can often be replaced independently without needing to replace the entire handle, such as the thumb latch and key lock. We also feature videos covering both of these repairs to make the process even faster and simple for homeowners. 

Lock Replacement and Installation

SWISCO.com carries a large selection of replacement hardware for sliding glass doors but some parts are more common than others. The commonly used 82-086 and 82-087 legacy handle sets come with our 82-310 key lock which can also be used as a replacement if the original lock breaks.

Once you know what key lock you need for your repair, the next step will be to install it. Ours comes with a long 2-¼” spindle that is long enough to accommodate most door thicknesses. In most cases, it will be necessary to cut it down to size using the preset notches. 

Cutting down a spindle to Accommodate Door Thickness

Step 1: Determine how much shorter you need the spindle to be to meet the mortise lock in the center of your door in the appropriate spot. 

(Tip: Keep in mind that it is better to err on the side of caution since you can always leave the spindle a bit longer and test it as you go. Once the spindle is cut too short, you will need to purchase a new key lock.)

Step 2: Secure the spindle and cut it down using either a hacksaw or a pair of pliers to break off the spindle at the desired notch.

Step 3: File down any metal shards at the tip of the spindle for a clean finish.

For an overview of the full installation process, see our video below that features the 82-310 with a housing that is not needed for legacy handles:

Replacing A Thumb Latch

If your thumb latch breaks, there’s no need to replace the whole set. The 82-107 can be used to repair your handle and get it working as good as new.

Something to consider if your thumb latch breaks or continues to break is that the underlying cause could be the mortise lock. If a mortise lock is broken or damaged, it can strain on the lever pin each time it is used to lock or unlock the door, eventually causing it to break. Follow this video to see the best way to test your mortise lock when replacing the thumb latch. 

Expert tips:

Many handle sets are offered in keyed and non-keyed options.

Mortise locks (the lock in the center of the door that engages with the jamb to prevent it from opening) and legacy handles are not sold together.

If you suspect that your door needs the mortise replaced, take a look at our selection and don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts with any questions!