How to
Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold door is sticking, it's likely that they require some maintenance. They may require cleaning, lubricated or adjusted. The issue could be caused by a loose screw on the top pivot or by the top roller guide.
This kit comes with all the hardware needed to bring your
bi-fold door repair closet door to its optimal performance.
Remove the Door
Installing a set of internal bifold doors could seem like a complex and complicated project, but it's actually quite straightforward for a DIYer with a bit of experience. Moving the frame isn't a problem; the tricky part is getting the doors to
bi fold door repairs and close easily and precisely. Bifold doors are complex pieces of machinery and, therefore they may require some tweaking to keep working correctly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complex as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.
It is usually possible to fix these issues with a few simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may find that your doors are sagging, scraping the floor, or they're bouncing off their tracks. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Follow these three easy steps and your bifold door should be back on the right direction in short time.
The most common problem that bifolding doors with internal hinges face is the sliding out of alignment. This could be due loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. In most cases, you can correct this issue with a few simple adjustments, but if the door isn't moving at all it may need to be removed and replaced.
You'll have to take off the door using a screwdriver, and possibly a pair pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver can be used to break any locking levers that are on the bottom pivot bracket and the pliers will allow you to pull the pin to release it and then take it off.
After the top roller has been removed, you can lift the door, turn it down and then remove it from its pivot brackets and track. It's usually a simple procedure, but you need to be cautious not to let the door hit the door frame. Then, you can sand down the edges of the door to make it smooth. You can then paint or refinish the door if needed.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller is mounted on the top of a bifolding door to aid in smooth operation. It is specifically designed for Kenna frames, and can fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made from steel, nylon and plastic components. It can be used to replace a worn-out or damaged guide.
To begin the process of removing the guide for the roller, remove any screws that are holding it in place using a screwdriver and a bit to loosen it. Use your hands to slowly lift it off the frame. This might take some effort, so let an assistant help you keep the door in place while you take it off.
After removing the old guide, carefully cut off the remaining finishing on the foot of the guide by using a razor to cut it from blank rod. This will make the guide's foot easier to remove, and prevent any damage. The guide foot is extremely sharp and could cut or snag fingers.
It is likely that you will need to use some force to take the guide off, but take care not to chip or break the foot. Once you have removed the guide from the rod blank, be sure to take out all of the epoxy and threads that remain where it was attached. This will prevent any future issues with the guide.
After you have removed the previous guide, test your replacement by placing it at its permanent position. Apply a few rotations with masking tape or guide tubing in order to ensure it stays in place. This will allow you to double-check the alignment of the guide and spacing to ensure that everything is set up correctly. This is vital to avoid any issues in the future, whether you use the CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System or simply eyeball it.
If the guide is positioned correctly and functioning as it should then the final step will be to reinstall the door in place. Make sure that any screws or pins you loosened or removed should be replaced and tightened properly after you've finished.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors can be an attractive feature for a home, but they often require to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they remain in good shape. Certain issues can be solved with the doors still in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will teach you how to remove the internal bifold door pins, rollers and pivots.
Gathering your tools is the first step. You'll avoid frustration if you gather all of your tools beforehand. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers and perhaps a wrench. You can buy an assortment of basic tools at your local hardware store for a reasonable cost. It's also a good idea to have some wood glue on hand. This can be useful if you have to glue any of the rollers back into the correct position.
After putting together your tools then open the bifold doors and loosen the top track bracket by using your screwdriver. Once it's loose the door should be capable of sliding off the top track completely. It may take some dancing to get it there, but it should come off the track.
The next step is to remove the bottom pivot from the frame. You'll want to do this from the outside of your home Be sure to shut any interior doors that are open. This will be a lot easier than trying to work from the inside. If the track on the bottom appears good you can lift the door and take off the track.
If the track is damaged, you'll need to replace it. You can purchase tracks that are suitable for swinging and bifold closet doors from your local hardware store. If the track is badly damaged, you might need to replace it completely.
It is now time to check your doors for the proper operation. Verify that the doors move into and out of their place easily. Also, you should ensure that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they're not, you'll have to adjust the top pivot bracket by tightening or loosening the bottom set screw.
Replace the Roller
Bifold doors neatly enclose closets or laundry rooms, as well as pantries, but only if they function correctly. Bifold doors comprise two panels that are hinged and slide down tracks at the top of the frame. Over time the roller guide bearings can wear out, causing the doors to sag and scrape against the floor. The guide roller can be replaced in a matter of minutes using a few tools.
The first step is removing the guide roller from your door panel. The bottom pivot bolt must be removed and the screw holding the guide to the top of the door panel must be removed. After the guide has been removed and the door panel is lifted up and out of its track. Then, loosen the bolt that holds the top pivot bolt and employ the wrench to remove it from the hole in the top header of the door frame.
Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a replacement top nylon roller that has a 7/8-inch diameter wheel that rests on a steel base. It can be mounted on the top edge of a bifold door that is 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick 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 is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised for proper clearance. This issue can be resolved by getting rid of the
repairing bottom of bifold door pivot adjustment screws by loosening the top track mounting screws and moving anchor/pivot.
A new set of top roller guides is a cheap solution to a problem that can make your bifold doors difficult to operate. They are usually available at your local hardware shop in the door section. However they can be ordered online from several suppliers. In addition to a new top guide for rollers, you'll need a small container of Elmer's wood glue which is available in big box stores, as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the
repair bifold door bottom pivot area tightly after glue is inserted, and allowed to dry.
