How to remove an Acme Plastic Doorknob

How to remove an Acme Plastic Doorknob

If you have an older home, you may have an Acme plastic doorknob. They were popular in mobile homes, but also sometimes in other construction.

Because, for some reason it's hard to find information about these, here's how to remove them and what they look like inside.

I learned how these things are put together after being trapped inside my guest bedroom when the knob broke.

From experience, these knobs are fine as long as they turn freely without issue, BUT replace them ASAP when they wear out!

First, carefully pop off the circle cover on the doorknob to access a screw (if you don't see a screw try the other side)

If it starts to fall apart, don't plan on re-installing it. Just continue removing it and replace it with a new metal knob.

For these next few pictures, I will use a doorknob that is already removed from the door.

You may notice this one has a hole and an extra plastic piece. this is because this knob was from a bathroom door and had a lock.

This lock would function by pressing the knob in to lock, and pulling the knob out to unlock.

A regular knob is the same, but without this part.

Carefully remove the screw, then the doorknob should pull apart.

It will look like this.

If you are installing one of these, pay close attention to the circled parts in the picture below and note the way the latch is positioned next to the metal bars.

Lastly, please note that this type of doorknob is OLD and made of plastic. Over time plastic gets old and brittle, if any of the plastic breaks and the doorknob struggles to turn or only turns in one direction, please replace the knob (preferably with a new metal doorknob). Also note that the screw is only accessible from one side of the door. If it breaks and you're on the other side with the door closed... you may be trapped unless someone else is on the other side or you have something to break off the doorknob with.

AGAIN: I learned how these things are put together after being trapped inside my guest bedroom when the knob broke.

From experience, these knobs are fine as long as they turn freely without issue, BUT replace them ASAP when they wear out!