How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors are sticking then it's likely that they require some maintenance. They may need to be cleaned, lubricated or adjusted. The problem could be caused by loose bolts on the top pivot, or by the top guide roller.
This kit contains all the hardware required to bring your bi-fold closet door to its optimal performance.
Remove the Door
Installing an interior set of bifold doors might seem like an involved and challenging task but it's actually easy for DIYers with a few years of experience. The frame is not the issue, but getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. As bifold doors are complex machines, they could require some tweaking to ensure they are working properly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complicated as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.
The majority times you can fix these issues with a few basic adjustments without removing the doors. You might notice that your bifold doors are sliding or scraping the floor, or bouncing off the track. In order to fix these issues, it isn't difficult. With three easy steps the bifold doors will be back on track in no time.
The most frequent issue that internal bifolding doors encounter is that they are sliding out of alignment. This could be due loose screws, holes in the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. Most times this can be fixed by making a few minor adjustments. However, if your door isn't moving in any way, you might require replacing it.
You'll have to take off the door with a screwdriver, and possibly pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are too tight. The screwdriver can be used to disengage any locking levers on the bottom pivot bracket and the pliers will allow you to wiggle the pin to release it and then take it off.
Once the top roller is removed, you can lift the door, turn it down and remove it from its pivot brackets and track. This is usually quite straightforward however be careful not to let the door slam against the frame of the door. You'll then be able to saw off the edge of the door that is scraping the floor and then sand it until smooth. You can then repaint or refinish it as required.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller guides mounts on top of bifolding doors to facilitate smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and can fit doors that are 1 inch to 3/8 inches thick. It is made of nylon, steel and plastic components and can replace a damaged or worn-out guide.
Remove any screws that hold the guide to the roller using a screwdriver. Use your hands to slowly remove it from the frame. It could take some effort to remove the door, so you may need an assistant to help.
After removing the old guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish on the guide's foot using a razor to separate it from the blank rod. This will make the guide foot much easier to remove and prevent any damage. Be careful when doing this, as the guide foot is very sharp and can cut or snag your fingers.
You will probably have to use some force to get the guide off, but take care not to break or chip the foot. After you've removed the old guide, remove any threads or epoxy left in the place where it was anchored. This will avoid future issues with the guide.
After removing the guide, test out the new guide by placing it in its new location and applying a few rotations of masking tape or another type of guide tubing to secure it in the correct position. This will allow you to double-check the alignment of the guide and spacing to ensure that everything is set up correctly. It doesn't matter if you're looking at it from a distance or using the always accurate CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System This step is crucial to avoid any problems in the future.
The final step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the right position and functioning as it should, then you're ready to proceed. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins that you removed or loosened.
Take the Bottom Pivot off.
Bifold doors are a beautiful feature for any home, but often they require a bit of tweaking or adjustment to stay in top shape. While some of the less critical problems can be solved with the doors in place, others will require them to be removed. This guide will teach you how to take off the internal bifold door pins, rollers, and pivots.
The first step is to gather your tools. Putting everything together before time can save you some frustration later during the construction. You'll also require pliers and a screwdriver. A set of basic tools can be bought at a reasonable cost from your local hardware store. Also, keep some wood glue on hand. This can be very useful if you have to fix any of the rollers back in their original position.
After assembling bifold door repairs and tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once it's loose, the door should be capable of sliding off the top track completely. It may take a bit of jiggling but it should pop right off the track.
The next step is to remove the pivot at the bottom from the frame. You'll want to do this from the outside of the house So, make sure to close any internal doors you have open. This will make it simpler than trying to work inside. If the bottom track is in good shape you'll be able to just lift up the door and remove the track.
If the track is damaged, you'll need to replace it. Hardware stores offer replacement tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is seriously damaged, you may have to replace it entirely.
It is now time to test your doors for proper function. Verify that the doors be moved into and out of their position easily. You should also ensure that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when it is closed. If they're not, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket while 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 work properly. The bifold doors consist of two panels that are hinged and slide down tracks at the top of the frame. Over time the guides for the rollers can wear out and cause the doors to slide. Replacing the roller guide requires only a few minutes, and the most basic tools.
The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. This requires removal of the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide at its top. After the guide is removed, lift the door panel 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.
A replacement top nylon roller guide with a 7/8 " diameter wheel and a base made of steel is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It mounts at the top of bifold doors that range from 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick. It comes spring-loaded and adjusts automatically in the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.
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. Removal of the screw that adjusts the bottom pivot and loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot pin is typically enough to eliminate this issue.
A new set of top roller guides is a cheap solution to a problem that can make your bifold doors difficult to operate. They're usually available at the hardware store near you in the door section, however, they are also available on the internet through a variety of sellers. Along with a brand new top roller guide, you will require a small amount of Elmer's wood glue that is sold in large box stores and a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the area being repaired sealed after the glue has been installed and dried.