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Door Handle Seized

Post in 'The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces' started by ethanhudson, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. ethanhudson Member

    joined: Feb 18, 2012
    100 posts
    South Dakota
    I need some help from the forum. I have a Drolet Austral in its second season. I replaced the door gasket on Wednesday. The door handle performed flawlessly up until that point. Subsequent to the first burn after I replaced the gasket the handle has become almost inoperable. I'm not sure what could have caused this and am curious if anyone has had a similar experience.

    For reference the handle assembly on my stove is threaded into the door, as such the handle can be adjusted out or in to accomodate new gasketing, or gasketing as it compresses. After the installation of the new gasketing I had to adjust the handle in 3 turns but the handle turned freely. Now it is almost like it is seized, it will turn, but it takes a rediculous amount of effort to do so.

    Please help!:(
    ethanhudson, Jan 18, 2013
    #1

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  2. begreen Super Moderator

    joined: Nov 18, 2005
    36,130 posts
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Remove the spring pin and unscrew the handle. Then coat the threads with graphite powder or high temp "never seez" lubricant and reassemble.

    http://www.amazon.com/Panef-Corp-Powdered-Graphite-Lubricant/dp/B0016GZQ60/ref=pd_sim_auto_5
    http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Nickel-Special-Compounds-nickelanti/dp/B001HWA2WQ/ref=pd_cp_hi_3
    http://www.amazon.com/CRC-SL35911-Anti-Seize-Lubricating-Compound/dp/B000M8RYUY/ref=pd_cp_hi_2
    http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-81343-Anti-Seize-Lubricant-Tube/dp/B0002UEOLO/ref=pd_cp_hi_1
    begreen, Jan 18, 2013
    #2

  3. Jags Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2006
    11,309 posts
    Northern Illinois
    Yep. And then do the dollar bill test to make sure you are in proper adjustment. Sounds like you might be too tight with the new gasket.
    Jags, Jan 18, 2013
    #3

  4. DanCorcoran Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 5, 2010
    1,782 posts
    Richmond, VA
    Put "Drolet Austral" in the title of the thread and you'll get input from other owners.
    DanCorcoran, Jan 18, 2013
    #4

  5. ethanhudson Member

    joined: Feb 18, 2012
    100 posts
    South Dakota
    Thanks for the helpful advice. I knew that I would need to lubricate somehow, just wasn't sure how best to accomplish that.
    ethanhudson, Jan 18, 2013
    #5

  6. ethanhudson Member

    joined: Feb 18, 2012
    100 posts
    South Dakota
    I had "dollar billed" it to ensure proper fit. I'm not sure if me turning the handle out to accomodate the new gasket led to contaminants from the previously exposed threads getting into the tapped part of the door or what, but thanks for the advice.
    ethanhudson, Jan 18, 2013
    #6

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