On many locking mechanisms, it's easy to change the centre gearbox rather than the entire strip. Besides, since there are a couple of bolts, it's usually straightforward. There are a lot of gearboxes in the market to replace; Maco, Fullex, Yale, Fuhr, Surelock, Cego, Mila, Saracen, Era, and GU.
The central part of the multipoint lock is referred to as the centre case or the gearbox. This part has the mechanics of multipoint locks that link to operating the rest of the lock. To operate a multipoint gearbox, pull the connecting handles up and down. The parts inside a gearbox are prone to wear and tear after years of use causing it to fail. As such, it's advisable to replace the gearbox and not the entire multipoint lock.
When fixing a lock, you should consider the high value for money cases and gearboxes. You should go with a choice which is good for your budget. For instance, you should replace an old lock which has broken inside. Do not think of repairing it as you will end up buying more parts than you know what to do with. Moreover, before fitting a new gearbox, read the instructions on the case regarding setting the lock handing. Also, make sure you lubricate before installing otherwise you’ll have to take it apart again because the door handle might be too stiff.
When looking for a gearbox for your uPVC door, the first measurements to take are the Centre and the backset. The Centre measurement is the distance between the centre of the spindle and the centre of the barrel. That of the backset is the distance from the front side of your locking system to the middle of its spindle. Most have a distance of 35mm and 28mm.
Also, it is worth noting that the multipoint locks are best recommended for security and ease of operation. They’re operated just by lifting the handle to engage the locking points while turning the key to deadlock a door. A multipoint locking system is mostly used as a uPVC door lock, but they are now being used on the high-security composite doors that can offer maximum security for your valuables.
There are also multipoint centre cases and gearboxes that are non-handed – that is – they fit both right and left handed doors. Some of them have a centre case which can be easily reattached to an old locking strip.
Here are some examples of top brands you should look for if you if you need a case or a gearbox for your lock system.
ERA
GU
Fuhr
Maco
Misc
Hoppe
Fab & Fix
Versa
Reddiplex
The brands above are legit and have worked for lots of customers. Taking care when choosing a brand because some brands have a lot of problems such as the shoot bolt being thicker than the original one when making a replacement. Therefore, this forces you to do a little filling around the bolt aperture which may weaken the entire lock system.