Failed multipoint gearbox? Replaced today.
When the handle lifts but the bolts won't shoot, it's a gearbox. We carry every major brand and fit on the first visit.
Gearbox and mechanism replacement — the job behind the handle.
The gearbox inside a UPVC multipoint door is the part most people never think about until it fails. It runs vertically through the door, driven by the handle, and operates the shoot bolts, hook bolts and rollers that hold the door shut. An average front door gets opened and closed 10-20 times a day. Over 10 years, that’s 40,000-70,000 cycles on a mechanism that was probably never serviced once.
When a gearbox fails, the symptoms vary. The handle drops and won’t lift back up. The door locks from inside but not from out. The key turns but the hooks don’t engage. Sometimes the door will lock but can’t be unlocked — which is obviously worse than not locking at all.
Gearbox replacement involves removing the door handles, shooting the existing bolts manually to release tension, removing the faceplate, extracting the old gearbox (which is usually 300-600mm long depending on the door), fitting the replacement to the same fixing holes, and adjusting the keeps and rollers so everything engages correctly. It’s not a beginner job, partly because identifying the correct replacement gearbox matters a lot.
Gearbox compatibility is determined by backset (distance from door edge to cylinder centre), the height of the gearbox, the type and positioning of the hook bolts and rollers, and whether the gearbox is reversible. We carry the most common Maco, Fuhr, Yale and ERA profiles as van stock — most standard UPVC doors are covered.
Why customers choose us
- ✓Multi-brand stock on the van
Maco, Fuhr, Yale, ERA, Fullex. We cover the vast majority of UPVC door mechanisms without needing to order parts.
- ✓Full door check included
We check door alignment, keep positions and cylinder condition as part of every gearbox job. A new gearbox on a misaligned door will fail again.
- ✓Same-day completion on most jobs
Standard UPVC gearbox replacement takes 45-90 minutes. We leave when the door is locking and unlocking correctly — not before.
- ✓Accurate diagnosis before quoting
We won’t recommend a gearbox if the problem is actually a misaligned door or a cylinder issue.
- ✓12-month warranty
On all gearbox parts and labour. If the same fault returns within a year, we fix it free.
Seven things, done properly.
One call, one fixed price, one engineer.
Call us
Real person picks up in under 8 seconds. We confirm your job, postcode, and quote on the phone — in writing on text if you’d like.
Engineer dispatched
Closest DBS-checked engineer in your area heads to you. Live ETA on text. Average arrival 20 minutes.
Job done
Quoted price is the price you pay. Card or cash. 12-month warranty on every part fitted.
Follow-up
Free door re-adjustment within 14 days if anything’s not right. Receipt and cert by email.
Real jobs. Real results.
Photos from our engineers — every job documented, every time.
The 3 questions everyone asks
How fast can you arrive?
Average 20 minutes in your area. 24/7, including bank holidays.
What’s the cost?
From £95 + parts. Fixed price confirmed before any work starts. No hidden charges.
Will you damage my door?
Non-destructive entry on 9 of 10 doors. We open without damage whenever possible — drilling is a last resort, with your consent first.
About gearbox mechanism.
What customers say.
4.9 stars from 2,847 verified reviews.
“Gearbox failed on Christmas Eve. Engineer arrived in 25 minutes, had the right replacement in the van. Lifesaver.”
“Door wouldn’t close properly for months. New mechanism fitted, door re-aligned. Perfect now.”
“Great price, fast arrival. Yale gearbox replaced and door properly adjusted. Very happy.”
Nationwide, with engineers in your postcode.
142 DBS-checked engineers across England, Wales, and Scotland. Most jobs covered within 30 minutes of your call.