How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold door is sticking then it's likely that they need some attention. They might need to be cleaned or lubricated, or even adjusted. The problem may be caused by an unfastened screw on the top pivot or the top guide roller.
Repair My Windows And Doors comes with all the necessary hardware to return your bi-fold closet door to its best performance.
Take the door off
Installing an internal set of bifold doors may seem like a complex and complicated project, but it's actually quite simple for anyone with a few years of experience. The frame isn't the issue, but getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. Since bifold doors are complicated machines, they could require some tweaking to ensure they are functioning correctly. It could be as simple as tightening a screw, or as intricate as removing and replacing the pivot pin or roller.
The majority of the time you can resolve these issues with a few simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sliding, scraping the floor or jumping out of track. It's simple to fix these issues. Follow three easy steps and your bifold doors will be back in line in the shortest amount of time.
One of the most common problems that bifold doors with internals face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This could be due loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. Most of the time, this can be corrected by a few simple adjustments. If, however, your door doesn't move in any way, you might have to replace it.
To remove the door to open it, you'll require an screwdriver and perhaps pliers (to aid in loosening any pins on the pivot that are stuck). The screwdriver will be used to disengage any locking levers that are on the bottom bracket for pivoting and the pliers let you wiggle the pin and take it off.
When the top roller has become loose, you should be able to lift the door and then swivel it downwards in order to lift it off its track and pivot brackets. It's usually a simple procedure, but you need to be cautious not to let the door hit the frame of the door. You should then be able to saw off the edge of the door that's scratching the floor, and then sand it until smooth. Then paint or refinish the door as necessary.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded guide roller is mounted on the top of the bifold door to assist in smooth operation. It is made for Kenna frames and will fit door panels from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is made of steel, nylon and plastic components. It can replace a damaged guide.
Remove any screws that hold the roller guide in place using a screwdriver. Use your hands to carefully lift it off the frame. It could require some effort to take off the door, so ask an assistant to help.
After removing the guide, carefully cut the remaining finish off the foot of the guide with a razor to separate it from the blank rod. This will make the guide foot easier to remove and will prevent any damage. Be careful when doing this as the foot is extremely sharp and could cause injury to your fingers or cut them.
You may have to use some force to remove the guide, but you must be careful not to break or chip the foot. After you've removed the guide from the rod blank, be sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy that remain in the place the guide was attached. This will prevent future problems with the guide.
After removing the previous guide, test your replacement by putting it in its permanent location. Make a few turns with masking tape or guide tubing to hold it in position. This will allow you double check the guide spacing and alignment to ensure everything is set up properly. This is essential to avoid any future issues, whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or eyeball it.
If the guide is positioned properly and functions in the way it should, the last step is to reinstall the door in place. Make sure to tighten and replace any screws or pins that you removed or loosen.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors can be a stunning addition to any home, but they may need to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they remain in good condition. While some of the more straightforward problems can be solved with the doors still in place, some will require them to be removed. This guide will walk you through how to remove internal bifold pivots for doors and rollers, as well as pins and pins, so that you can get your doors sliding as new.
Gathering your tools is the first step. Putting everything together ahead of time will save you some frustration later during the construction. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers, and possibly a wrench. A basic set of tools is available at a reasonable price from a local hardware store. Keep a supply of wood glue in your kit. This is helpful in the event that you have to glue the rollers into place.
After putting together your tools and tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose the door should be capable of sliding off the top track completely. It may take some shaking to get it there, but it should come off the track.
The bottom pivot of the frame will have to be removed. You'll want to do this from the outside of the house Be sure to close any interior doors you have open. This will make it easier rather than working on the inside. If the track on the bottom is still in good working order you'll be able to lift the door and then remove the track.
If the track is damaged, you'll have to replace it. Hardware stores offer replacement tracks for bifold doors, as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is severely damaged, you may have to replace it completely.
After your track has been repaired or replaced, you'll need to check the doors for their proper operation. Make sure they're easily able to move from position to position. You'll need to ensure that the edges of your door are in line with the frame when it's closed. If they're not, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket by tightening or loosening the bottom set screw.
Replace the Roller
Bifold doors can be used to neatly cover closets or laundry rooms, as well as pantries, but only when they work properly. Bifold doors are made up of two panels that are hinged and slide along an incline at the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guides can wear out and cause the doors to slide. Replacing the guide roller takes only a few minutes, and a few basic tools.
The first step is to take the guide roller from the door panel. This requires taking off the pivot bolt at the bottom and loosening the screw that holds the guide to its top. After removing the guide, lift the panel from the track. Then with a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the header of the frame by loosening the nut.
Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a top nylon replacement roller with a 7/8-inch wheel mounted on a base made of steel. It can be mounted on the top edge of a bifold door that is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and comes spring-loaded to self-adjust in the upper track for smooth gliding.
Another issue that is common to a bifold door is that it scrapes against the floor when it is closed or opened. This can happen after adding carpet, or other flooring materials that require that the doors be elevated to allow for clearance. This issue can be resolved by getting rid of the screws that adjust the bottom pivot and loosening the top track mounting screws, and moving anchor/pivot.
A new set of top roller guides is an inexpensive solution to a problem that can make your bifold doors difficult to operate. They are typically found at your local hardware shop in the door section. However, they can also be purchased on the internet from a variety of suppliers. You'll also require an elongated squeeze-clamp as well as a small container of Elmer's wood adhesive which can be found in big box stores. The clamp is used to keep the repair area tightly after glue is inserted and allowed to dry.