When to use a 2 + 1/4 Turn Door Handle Spring

Handles that use flat wire door handle springs usually have a slot in the handle shaft to receive the inner arm of the spring.  Normally this slot is machined in the same line as the handle as shown in the picture below

Although less common, some door handles have the slot machined in the handle shaft in the direction perpendicular to the handle shaft as shown in the picture below.

If you handle is as shown in the second picture, then it most probably requires a 2 + 1/4 turn spring.

IMPORTANT - Remember that a door handle spring is fitted with the handle vertical.  The spring is then wound up by approx. one quarter of a turn by rotating the handle back down to the horizontal position. The cam washer is then fitted to keep the handle in the horizontal rest position.  In the pictures shown above the spring has already been pre-tensioned in this way by approx. one quarter of a turn. 

Occasionally we come across 2 + 3/4 turn springs.  Because the slot in the handle shaft is usually machined all the way across, it is possible to replace a 2 + 3/4 turn spring with a 2 + 1/4 turn.  The inner arm of a 2 + 1/4 spring simply locates into the opposite side of the slot compared to the inner arm of a 2 + 3/4 turn spring.