"Marvin Wood French Doors - 3 Point Lock Maintenance"

 By Ron Stultz

15 January 2014

Summary: over time, Marvin's 3 point lock system can get difficult to operate but older style 3 point locks can be taken apart, cleaned, greased and made to function new again. Maintenance is a do-it-yourself (DIY) if you are handy.

Background:

Note: This is for the old style Marvin 3 point locks that do not have guard against trying to close open door when lock engaged.

3 Marvin French doors in my home.

Been installed for > 20 years.

Note: the long metal lock track on my French doors are 4 feet long from end-to-end.

In last couple of years, more and more difficult to lock and unlock.

Decided that before I ordered new locks ($200 from Marvin each), would see if there was anything I could do to make lock work more smoothly.

When I removed the long metal track from one of the French doors and examined it, I discovered that the inner, moving metal piece that fits down over the 3 points, studs, in the opposing door, slides under a plastic standoff that is held to the fixed metal, outer track, with 1/16inch Allen screws and the 2 halves of the long metal track can be taken apart!!

Tools and supplies needed:

1/16inch Allen wrench. A ball-headed wrench is advised.

Plenty of paper towels.

A can of grease of some kind. I had some in my garage and used it.

Taking metal track apart: