Almost three years ago, we had all windows replaced in our home with Softlite Elements windows. Overall, we've been quite pleased, however on several of the windows the night latches on the DH windows have been failing. They fail in the "out" position, which doesn't allow for full opening of the window. I've been told this is not an uncommon problem, and the distributor who installed the windows sent us a sufficient number of the new night latches to install in the windows.

Please excuse this rather obvious and stupid question, but how does one remove the failed night latch without marring the window frame? I've tried pulling on the night latch extension - the spring-loaded plastic piece that pops out (the component that is failing) - with a pair of vise grips, but no go.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.