Adjusting Entry Door Lock Mechanisms

[Lonne Mays]

The lock and latching mechanisms of the motorhome door are pretty complex, and after years of normal wear they may require some adjustment if they become finicky and are not operating properly.  On ours, the door latch would sometimes stick in the locked position, and require some effort and jiggling of the door handle to get it to open.  The picture shows the door lock mechanisms, and I have annotated the drawing with a label showing the turnbuckle that needed adjusting to return the outside handle locking mechanism to proper functioning. In this instance, the turnbuckle needed to be turned two threads worth to shorten it 1/16th inch.  While the door panel is off and all the mechanisms are accessible, it is a good idea to lube everything. 

[Joel Ashley]

Lonnie, this topic resurges regularly.  Thanks for your relatively short-and-sweet description and clear illustration.  It no doubt will be helpful to those newer members who’ve yet to run into a cantankerous latch but one day will.

Joel

[Fred Brooks]

    Lonne, Great photo of lock assembly and related rods and "turnbuckle". Natural wear and tear over time tends to elongate the rod travel between the lock and the outside door handle. Proof of that is: when you try to open the entry door from the outside, the door handle runs out of travel before the lock will release. Sometimes you can put your body weight against the door as you pull the handle to remove internal tension on the mechanism. Women really become unhappy as it will break their nails trying to open the door. Correct adjustment is as you have stated which is to shorten the length of that rod. The correct adjustment is when the lock assembly releases at about 3/4 of the travel of the outside handle. If you make it any shorter than that, the entry door will open in transit. Fred