How to
Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your
bifold door glass replacement doors are sticking and squeaking, they may require a little attention. You may have to clean or lubricate them, or even adjust them. The issue could be caused by a loose bolt on the top pivot, or by the top guide roller.
This kit includes all the hardware you need to restore your
bi folding door repair-fold wardrobe door to its optimal performance.
Take the door off
Installing an interior set of bifold doors may appear to be a complicated and complicated task but it's actually simple for anyone with a bit of experience. The frame is not the problem however getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. Bifold doors are intricate pieces of machinery and, as such they may require some 'tuning up' to ensure that they function properly. It could be as simple as tightening screws or as complex as removing the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.
The majority of the time, you can solve these issues with a couple of simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may notice that your doors are sagging, scratching the floor, or they are jumping out of their track. It's simple to fix these issues. Follow three easy steps and your bifold doors will be back in track in the shortest amount of time.
The most common issue internal bifolding doors face is the sliding out of alignment. This can be caused by loose screws, holes in the anchor/pivot pins or simply a misaligned door. Most times it can be fixed with a few simple adjustments. If, however, your door doesn't move at all, you may require replacing it.
To take the door off you'll need an screwdriver and perhaps pliers (to assist in loosening any tight pivot pins). The screwdriver is used to release the locking levers at the bottom bracket for pivots. The pliers are used to remove the pin.
After the top roller is loose it should be possible to lift the door and then swivel it downward, allowing you to take it off its track and pivot brackets. This is usually quite straightforward however, be sure not to let the door slam against the frame of the door. Then, you can sand down the edge of the door to make it smooth. Then paint or refinish the door as necessary.
Remove the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller guides the mount on the top of bifolding doors to ensure smooth operation. It is designed to work with Kenna frames and can fit the door's panel from 1 inch to 3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel and plastic components. It will replace the damaged guide.
To begin removing the roller guide, remove any screws holding it in place using a screwdriver and a bit to loosen it. Then, use your hands to lift it out of the frame. It may take some effort, so have a friend help you to keep the door in place while you remove it.
After removing the old guide, carefully cut the remaining finish on the foot of the guide with a razor to separate it from the blank rod. This will make the guide's foot much easier to remove and prevent any damage. Be cautious when doing this because the foot is extremely sharp and can cause injury to your fingers or cut them.
You may have to use some force to remove the guide, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After you've removed the guide that was previously attached, take out any epoxy or threads left in the area it was fixed. This will avoid future issues with the guide.
After removing the previous guide, check the new one by placing it at its new location. Apply a few rotations with masking tape or guide tubing in order to hold it in position. This will allow you to double check the guide spacing and alignment to make sure that everything is set up correctly. Whether you're eye-balling it or using the always accurate CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System This step is crucial to prevent any issues in the future.
If the guide is positioned correctly and functioning in the way it should the next step will be to reinstall the
bi folding door repair in its place. Make sure to tighten and replace any screws or pins you removed or loosen.
Take the Bottom Pivot off.
Bifold doors can be a beautiful addition to any home, but they often need to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they are in good shape. While some of the more straightforward problems can be solved with the doors in place, some require removal. This guide will demonstrate how to remove the bifold internal door pins, rollers and pivots.
The first step is to gather your tools. You will save yourself some frustration if you collect all the tools you need in advance. You'll require a screwdriver, pliers and maybe a wrench. A set of basic tools can be bought at a reasonable price from your local hardware store. It's recommended to have some wood glue handy. This is useful if you need to put the rollers in the right place.
After assembling your tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is in place, you should be able slide the door off of the top track. It might take a bit of dancing but it should eventually pop off the track.
The pivot on the bottom of the frame will have to be removed. Close all interior doors prior to starting. This will be much simpler than working from inside. If the track at the bottom is in good shape it will be possible to lift the door and take off the track.
If the track is damaged, then you'll have to replace it. You can purchase new tracks for
bifold door repair doors and swinging closet doors from your local hardware store. If the track is severely damaged, then you might need to replace it entirely.
Once your track is repaired or replaced You'll need to test the doors to ensure their proper operation. Make sure that they are able to move smoothly between positions. You'll want to make sure that the edges of your door are in line with the frame when closed. If they're not, you'll need to readjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom setscrew until the edge of the door coincides perfectly with the frame.
Replace the Roller
If they are installed correctly they can be used to protect pantries, laundry nooks and closets. Bifold doors are made up of two panels that are hinged and slide on an incline at the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guides can wear out and cause the doors to sag. The guide roller can be replaced in just a few minutes with the use of basic tools.
The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. This involves removal of the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide on its top. After removal of the guide, lift the panel from the track. Next, loosen the nut that holds the top pivot bolt, and employ a wrench to pull it out of the hole in the top header of the door frame.
A top nylon replacement guide with a 7/8 " diameter wheel and a steel base is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It is mounted on the top of bifold doors that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.
Another issue with bifold doors is that it scrapes against the floor when it is closed or opened. This is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised slightly to ensure proper clearance. This issue can be solved by getting rid of the screws that adjust the bottom pivot, loosening up the top track mounting screws and moving anchor/pivot.
A new set of top roller guides is a cheap solution to a problem that may make your bifold doors difficult to operate. They're usually available at your local hardware store in the door section, but they're also available on the internet through a variety of vendors. You will also need a squeeze-clamp and a small container of Elmer's wood glue, which is available in large box stores.