Installing new eurolocks in upvc conservatory double doors

[GAClarke]

Please excuse the simplicity of this question, I'll admit in advance to being a bit of a diy dimwit

I want to replace two eurolocks in a pair of connected upvc doors. The instructions say to open the door, remove the retaining bolt and slide out the lock. Yep, that is easy on ONE of the two doors that lock together but not the other...

The other door has a upvc connecting piece about 60mm wide that runs the length of the door, held in by about 6 screws which screw into the edge of the frame of the other door. Needed to ensure no gap between the two doors. This piece covers the edge of the door, preventing access to the eurolock retaining bolt, so clearly has to be removed.

After removing the 6 screws I couldn't easily remove this connecting piece and don't want to force it for risk of breaking it.

Do I now need to slide this piece up off the door or should it simply pull away from the door frame?

There also appear to be 3-4 metal U shaped plates between this upvc piece and the door frame, any good tricks on how to keep these in place when refitting this piece?

Thanks...

 

[crank39]

They're just spacers, it could be that the bit you need to remove clips onto these ali spacers, make sure there are no other screws and give it a good tug from the top and work down

 

[Gazman16]

As crank said they do clip in a bit too. Use a flat screwdriver in from the top to lever it and get it started.

Its a good idea to pencil mark the height it fits on the door so it gos back in the exact same place

 

[crank39]

What I've done before if I've been lazy is to take the latch striker plate off and drilled a hole through the flying mullion level where that screw should be

 

[GAClarke]

As crank said they do clip in a bit too. Use a flat screwdriver in from the top to lever it and get it started.

Its a good idea to pencil mark the height it fits on the door so it gos back in the exact same place

Thanks. I'm assuming that the existing screw holes should allow me to align it correctly.

 

[GAClarke]

What I've done before if I've been lazy is to take the latch striker plate off and drilled a hole through the flying mullion level where that screw should be

Hmmm, interesting idea....

 

[crank39]

Every days a school day!

 

[Gazman16]

What I've done before if I've been lazy is to take the latch striker plate off and drilled a hole through the flying mullion level where that screw should be

I do that too sometimes
Mainly when I'm fitting a temporary lock (lost keys etc) and I know I will have to do it again when the new locks arrive.

 

[Gazman16]

As crank said they do clip in a bit too. Use a flat screwdriver in from the top to lever it and get it started.

Its a good idea to pencil mark the height it fits on the door so it gos back in the exact same place

Thanks. I'm assuming that the existing screw holes should allow me to align it correctly.

mmm you can end up a few mm one way or the other as some of the screws are probably in at angles

 

[crank39]

Yeah best to shut the slave door and then offer the flying mullion in placing some packing underneath it while you screw it back on

 

[GAClarke]

Yeah best to shut the slave door and then offer the flying mullion in placing some packing underneath it while you screw it back on

Clearly every day IS a school day, as I didn't know that piece was called a flying mullion (although I had to go and look it up).

Thanks for the help!