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Why won't my Kwikset 6WAL Front Door Lock open?

I tried to unlock my front door tonight, but my door knob is broken. The lock was replaced about a year ago... after my purse was stolen, and I had to replace the locks :( I removed the door knob and tried slipping a credit card (okay, it was my AAA card, but you know what I mean) as well as a putty knife in between the door and the jamb to try and release the door. No such luck. I also tried sticking various screwdrivers into the lock mechanism to see if it would budge. It moved, but not enough to open the door. I removed the hinges and tried removing the door. No such luck. I have a deadbolt, so I'm not concerned about safety. Also, I have a back door, so I can get out of my house. BUT... I would really like to use my front door :) Any suggestions?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Kathy Hirsh just for my own clarification. when you removed the door knob, did you remove the "anti pry shield" and the mounting plate? There should be two screws that go through your door (usually from the inside out. Remove those two screws, and it should remove the door handle with the spindle. Usually a quarter inch square stock. Once all that is removed, you should see the latch mechanism. Inserting a screwdriver into the square where the spindle normally goes should enable you to urn the locking mechanism and open your door. Of course you may have already tried this, but i was not sure.

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I removed the inside and outside knobs (the spindle is attached to the knob). There's still a part inside the hole. I'm not sure what it's called, but clearly it's attached to the part that goes into the door jamb. That's the part that's stuck. I've used a screwdriver, and it does move... just not enough to open the door. You're asking about the "anti-pry shield" and mounting plate, which are on the edge of the door. I can't get to those because the door won't open.

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Okay, so your latch is the one that does not move all the way back. Just needed to clarify before trying to find another solution. Thank you :-)

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Yes, the latch is the part that doesn't move all the way.

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To get it open, you need to slide a sharp knife on top of the bolt. While pulling the door hard enough to prevent the bolt from springing back, use the blade to slide the bolt into the lockset.It will take 2 or 3 turns of the knife to slowly back the bolt into the lockset. By pulling the door tight against the bolt, that should keep the bolt from sliding back into the bolt socket.

Eventually, the bolt should clear the strikeplate enough to open the door.

It's best to replace the bolt mechanism. It sounds like a worn out mechanism in the latchset.

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I'm not clear on where you want me to put the knife.

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I tried this and it worked.

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Kathy Hirsh , the only thing that I can think off is, remove the door hings again and see if you can widen the gap between the door and the jamb. I am certain you can not remove the door due to the latch binding in the jamb, but may be just widen it. If it is wide enough, I'd get a couple of hacksaw blades and cut through the latch between the door and the jamb. The reason why your AAA card (AARP in my case:-)does not work is due to the angle of the latch. You may go through a few blades, but it should minimize the damage to your door and the jamb. Hope this helps.

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Kathy, what worked, I have same problem

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Having the same bloody problem. About a year old. 400P polo entry

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Kathy Hirsh will be eternally grateful.
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