Re: How to remove exterior door lockset?

Look for a poke hole in the side of the inside knob. Push that and take off the knob. Then look around the trim plate where it meets the door, you should find a small area that is rectangular cut out, put a flat blade screw driver in there and gently pry it off. Then you should find 2 mounting screws to release the lock (sounds like maybe an older dexter lock maybe??)

Steve

Doh!!! I forgot to mention, if it is an OLD dexter, you will need to pop the trim ring first, then look under it and you should see something that looks like a wire spring, press on that to remove the knob, then remove the trim ring, then you will find the 2 mounting screws.

Got hung on one of those types myself one day ;-)

Steve

I agree about pushing in on the wire loop - but the base plate might not want to come off. Often it is stuck to the door because of paint. In that case, take a sharp pointed knife and run the point along the angle where the plate meets the door - hard enough to cut through all of the paint. Then push in on the wire loop and pull the plate away.

Martin,

I suspect you might have a Schlage A series lock. Look at the latch plate on the edge of the door, if it says Schlage, look on the side of the knob spindle on the latch side and there should be a small (1/4 X 1/32) spring loaded knob retainer. Depress this with a small screwdriver and pull the knob off.

The little wire loop just holds tension on the rose plate. On the outer edge of the rose plate in line with the little wire loop will be a small cutout. Insert a straight blade screwdriver into the cutout and twist. this should pop off the trim rose exposing another plate with 2 screws.

Let us know how you come out or if you have any other questions.

Good luck,

Thanks for the help. Got the rose plate off as described and the rest was easy. It was a Schlage A type.