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I recently installed a new single-cylinder Schlage deadbolt lock (a B60N specifically). I was able to follow the installation instructions without encountering any problems, but when opening the lock the deadbolt doesn't fully retract unless the lock is opened quickly; it seems to require the extra momentum provided by a quick turn to completely retract.

A few notes:

  • This happens with the door open or closed, so interference with the strike plate isn't the cause.
  • It happens when the lock is opened using the key or when using the thumb turn (interior knob).
  • When the deadbolt doesn't fully retract, a light push is sufficient to move its end flush with the faceplate; there isn't an unusual amount of friction or other forms of resistance.
  • The keys included with the lock don't fit particularly well; it takes a bit of wiggling to remove them from the cylinder.

In the image below, the photo on the left shows the position of the deadbolt after opening the lock at a "normal" speed; the photo on the right shows its position after opening the lock quickly.

composite image of lock

Presumably I made a mistake when installing the lock, but I've reviewed the installation instructions a few times and haven't been able to identify my error. I tried removing and re-installing the lock, but its behavior is unchanged.

I assume this is related to the cylinder and thumb turn not rotating the tailpiece the full 90 degrees necessary to open the deadbolt, but I'm not sure how/if it's possible to adjust that. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Update (2025-05-11)

After further testing I narrowed this down to the deadbolt assembly (i.e., it has nothing to do with how much the tailpiece rotates as I initially thought): when the slot through which the tailpiece fits is fully rotated to the open position, there's play in the deadbolt:

deadbolt play

In case this was an installation issue, I removed the deadbolt assembly from the door, but it still exhibits the same behavior.

For comparison, I checked the behavior of an old (~20 years) Greset deadbolt and a new (~1 year) Weiser deadbolt: when opened slowly, both of them reach a point where the deadbolt is "sucked" all the way into the lock without further rotation of the thumb turn, which ensures that they always open with the deadbolt flush with its faceplate. I don't know how this is accomplished, but I tried multiple times and their behavior was consistent.

I contacted Schlage on 2025-05-07 to find out if the play in the B60N deadbolt is expected. I've yet to hear back, but will update this question again if I do.

I returned to the store where I purchased the deadbolt and looked at some of the other B60Ns. Their packaging design (the lock is partially assembled within clear plastic) allows the thumb turn to be rotated and I observed a similar amount of play in the deadbolt in other B60Ns.

I also purchased a Tell commercial deadbolt. Once I've had a chance to install it, I'll see if it exhibits the same behavior as the Schlage deadbolt or is more like the Greset/Weiser ones I tested.

Reign of Error
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1 Answers1

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Try loosening the screws that hold the deadbolt halves together just a bit to get it to move in place, but stay where you put it, since there is always a little play in the install. Move the halves so they are positioned as far away from the edge of the door as possible. You may only be able to move anything no more than a 1/16" anyways, but do it.

You could stand at the edge of the door facing it, with the mounting screws barely snug, and grab each side of the deadbolt thumb turn and keyway and push the deadbolt away from the edge that way.

Try this while the bolt is sticking out the little bit that it does, and see if it will flush up. You may be even rattle it around while it is loose on the screws to find the "best spot" before you tighten them up finally.

Jack
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