Step 1
Determine which door knob needs attention. Open the door and place something between it and the jamb so that it will not close.
Step 2
Locate the two Phillips head screws on one side of the knob. There should be one to the right and one to the left of the knob itself. Loosen both screws equally.
Step 3
A typical door knob has 2 sections plus the latch bolt assembly - that's it.Remove both screws. Note the knob separates into two pieces which can fall completely off either side of the door after both screws are fully removed.
Step 4
Remove knobs from both sides of the door if they haven't come off already. Examine the latch bolt still remaining in the door. This is the part that snaps into the strike plate in the jamb.
Step 5
Latch bolt and a strike plate.Now examine the latch bolt that came with your new door knob. If the manufacturer is the same, you will probably see two latch bolts that look amazingly alike. If, not, then remove the old latch bolt from the door. Removing this latch bolt is accomplished simply by removing 2 more screws located on the edge of the door. NOTE the direction the latch faces. Be sure to re-install the new latch bolt in the same direction as the old one. Install the two screws back into the latch bolt. Snug these screws up. Do NOT over tighten.
Step 6
Locate two longer screws (actually they are machine bolts about 1-1/2" long). Align the new door knob sections (2) to each other as they pass through the latch bolt. Start both screws into the holes from the "interior" side of the door. Interior side of the door would be the side that you can't get locked out on. DO NOT screw in only one screw all the way - do so equally!
Step 7
Test the new door knob for smooth operation and see if the knob turns freely. IF it doesn't, then loosen the last two screws you just put in. This usually seems to fix that problem.
Step 8
Allow the door to close now and make sure the door knob properly latches into the existing strike. Unless you just want to replace the strike, your new door knob should work just fine now. Strikes are adjustable if necessary.