Schlage D series adjustments

[jimu57]

I bought several used Schlage classroom lever sets. Some are ND series and some are D. The D series when installed, the lever does not sit at the horizontal position. It drops down somewhat and retracts that latch just a little. Is there are an adjustment to the chassis that "tightens" it to keep the lever at the proper position?

BTW, these were just taken out of service from a school in CA. They wanted a lever set with locking function inside the room. Paid $20 each for these, less cylinder and strike. Came in the Schlage boxes packed very nicely. The locksmith I got these from is out of the country for 2 more weeks and I cannot contact him.

thanks
jim

[cledry]

There were a few variations but basically you must be sure that the lever interlocks with the spring drive hub, and that the drive hub locks into the spring cassette. The most common issue with real early ones is a broken plastic drive insert in the lever. The only other adjustment that I know of and is important, is that you must center the lock on the door (same amount showing on outside as on the inside). If they are going on really thin doors you must order a different drive hub for 1 3/8" doors. I am talking about the older versions. The ND ones I have never seen issues with levers sagging.

Look at the manual here. http://us.allegion.com/IRSTDocs/Manual/106723.pdf

[billdeserthills]

Unfortunately the spring return tends to wear out, allowing the levers to submit to gravity eventually.
I had to replace a privacy lock last week, because with the outside lever sitting a bit lower than usual,
the lock would no longer engage and people using the bathroom were being surprised by folks accidentally
walking in on them. If you can use a leverset that was originally mounted LH on a RH door, the springs
should work. Perhaps you can switch the lever return springs from one side to the other?

[jimu57]

I've tried LH and RH positions and the lever still drops. I can replace the springs no problem. Might be the solution.
Thanks
Jim

[Squelchtone]

Don't mean to high jack but have a related question on converting leversets from store room function (currently you remove the key in his doors and they're already locked, apparently you can lock someone INSIDE their office too) to whatever the function is that when you turn the key it actually unlocks the lock until you press the button or relock using key. Is that possible for Schlage lever sets or does my friend have to get all new lever sets for his office? He seems to think there is a conversion kit and this thread reminded me to ask.

Thanks
Squelchtone

[RedE]

Don't mean to high jack but have a related question on converting leversets from store room function (currently you remove the key in his doors and they're already locked, apparently you can lock someone INSIDE their office too) to whatever the function is that when you turn the key it actually unlocks the lock until you press the button or relock using key. Is that possible for Schlage lever sets or does my friend have to get all new lever sets for his office? He seems to think there is a conversion kit and this thread reminded me to ask.

Thanks
Squelchtone

A storeroom lock where it's ridgid on the inside too? Don't think I've heard of those. That sounds like a detention type function. Anyway, I don't think you'll find a conversion kit because Schlage doesn't even make the ND levers in a function where you can lock it from the outside, except for the corridor (think dormitory) function. And from what I've seen they only offer classroom security conversion kits anyway. Maybe there's other kits available, but I've never used any of them, so I'm not the best source on that.

Hope it helps.

[Squelchtone]

Don't mean to high jack but have a related question on converting leversets from store room function (currently you remove the key in his doors and they're already locked, apparently you can lock someone INSIDE their office too) to whatever the function is that when you turn the key it actually unlocks the lock until you press the button or relock using key. Is that possible for Schlage lever sets or does my friend have to get all new lever sets for his office? He seems to think there is a conversion kit and this thread reminded me to ask.

Thanks
Squelchtone

A storeroom lock where it's ridgid on the inside too? Don't think I've heard of those. That sounds like a detention type function. Anyway, I don't think you'll find a conversion kit because Schlage doesn't even make the ND levers in a function where you can lock it from the outside, except for the corridor (think dormitory) function. And from what I've seen they only offer classroom security conversion kits anyway. Maybe there's other kits available, but I've never used any of them, so I'm not the best source on that.

Hope it helps.

Hmm, I may have heard him wrong then as to what function he thinks he has. I too was surprised when he said you could use the exterior kik to lock someone IN the office which is why he decided to change them out but doesn't have the budget to get all new hardware and was hoping for a converstion kit. He's in Florida, I'll reach out to him soon and reply here.

Thanks!
Squelchtone

[jimu57]

I took apart the chassis. There are 2 spring that are for returning the lever to closed position, I think that is what they are for. One was shorter than the other making me think it was due to operating in that one direction for some amount of time. I removed the springs. The short one evidently had a compression set causing it to not push enough to return the lever. I stretched both springsby about 3/4", maybe more to increase the spring rate when compressed. Reassembled. When using only the lever on the chassis only, the lever does not return to zero position. If attaching the latch properly, it seems to operate much better now. I will install it in a door and see how well it works. The doors I am installing these in is an an old building and had 3 3 3/8" backset old knobs. I am having to rebore holes. Need to make sure I have the hole as it should be before installing.

Never thought of the springs inside possibly being the problem. Looks like it might be.

Thanks for all the help

jim

[cledry]

I took apart the chassis. There are 2 spring that are for returning the lever to closed position, I think that is what they are for. One was shorter than the other making me think it was due to operating in that one direction for some amount of time. I removed the springs. The short one evidently had a compression set causing it to not push enough to return the lever. I stretched both springsby about 3/4", maybe more to increase the spring rate when compressed. Reassembled. When using only the lever on the chassis only, the lever does not return to zero position. If attaching the latch properly, it seems to operate much better now. I will install it in a door and see how well it works. The doors I am installing these in is an an old building and had 3 3 3/8" backset old knobs. I am having to rebore holes. Need to make sure I have the hole as it should be before installing.

Never thought of the springs inside possibly being the problem. Looks like it might be.

Thanks for all the help

jim

That still isn't correct. It should actually snap fairly forcefully to the horizontal position without a latch. The latch spring is not there to assist the lever return in any way. Most locksmiths have a stock of these old spring cages, why don't you ask around. They don't have much value.

[jimu57]

Well, call me am idiot, or at least someone that does not know the D series.

I looked thru the exploded diagram to check out the names of all of the components. I saw the one what is called spring cage. I had no instructions when I tried installing one of these. I didnt have a spanner wrench for the castle nut but now I do. Evidently I had not installed it correctly. I just found out how strong the spring is in the spring cage. And it is the new style as shown in the manual.

Sooooooooo, now I'll go back and install it properly. At least I learned how these work. Thanks again guys for your help. I think we got it now.

Jim

[billdeserthills]

Don't mean to high jack but have a related question on converting leversets from store room function (currently you remove the key in his doors and they're already locked, apparently you can lock someone INSIDE their office too) to whatever the function is that when you turn the key it actually unlocks the lock until you press the button or relock using key. Is that possible for Schlage lever sets or does my friend have to get all new lever sets for his office? He seems to think there is a conversion kit and this thread reminded me to ask.

Thanks
Squelchtone

A storeroom lock where it's ridgid on the inside too? Don't think I've heard of those. That sounds like a detention type function. Anyway, I don't think you'll find a conversion kit because Schlage doesn't even make the ND levers in a function where you can lock it from the outside, except for the corridor (think dormitory) function. And from what I've seen they only offer classroom security conversion kits anyway. Maybe there's other kits available, but I've never used any of them, so I'm not the best source on that.

Hope it helps.

Hmm, I may have heard him wrong then as to what function he thinks he has. I too was surprised when he said you could use the exterior kik to lock someone IN the office which is why he decided to change them out but doesn't have the budget to get all new hardware and was hoping for a converstion kit. He's in Florida, I'll reach out to him soon and reply here.

Thanks!
Squelchtone

Sounds like an Asylum function lock, mine have a keyhole on both sides

[GWiens2001]

Sounds like an Asylum function lock, mine have a keyhole on both sides

Asylum function? I need those for my house!!!

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

Sounds like an Asylum function lock, mine have a keyhole on both sides

Asylum function? I need those for my house!!!

Gordon

I stock some, just because 'no stock, no sale',
but the last time I sold one it was for limiting access to & from the roof of a building

[unjust]

that's institutional function, and may not be compliant if it prevents egress from the roof, depending on local code.

[Squelchtone]

that's institutional function, and may not be compliant if it prevents egress from the roof, depending on local code.

yeah, but then how do you lock a building in order to not have someone break into it by coming in via the door on the roof?