How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors are sticking and squeaking, they may require some maintenance. They may require cleaning, lubricated or adjusted. The problem may be caused by a loose screw on the top pivot or by the top roller guide.
This kit contains everything you need to restore your bi-fold wardrobe door to its optimal performance.
Remove the Door
Installing an interior set of bifold doors may appear to be a complicated and difficult project however, it's actually simple for anyone with a little experience. The frame isn't the issue however getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. As bifold doors are complex machines, they could require some tweaking to ensure they are working properly. It could be as simple as tightening the screw, or as complicated as taking out and replacing the door's pivot pin or roller.
You can usually resolve these issues by making a few simple adjustments, without the need to take off the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sagging, scraping the floor or bouncing off the track. It's simple to fix these problems. Just follow three simple steps and your bifold doors will be back in the right direction in no time.
The most frequent issue that bifolding doors with internal hinges face is that they slide out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots, or a misaligned bifold door. Most times this can be fixed by making a few minor adjustments. If, however, your door isn't moving at all, you may have to replace it.
To remove the door you'll need an screwdriver and perhaps pliers (to aid in loosening any pins on the pivot that are stuck). The screwdriver can be used to loosen the locking levers at the bottom of the pivot bracket. The pliers are used to remove the pin.
When the top roller is free, you should be able to lift the door and swivel it downward in order to lift it off of its pivot brackets and track. This is usually quite straightforward however be careful not to let the door hit against the door frame. You should then be able to cut off the edge of the door that's scratching the floor, and then sand it until it is smooth. Then, you can repaint or replace it with a new finish as needed.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded guide roller is mounted on the top edge of bifold doors to aid in smooth operation. It is made for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made from nylon, steel, and other components. It can be used to replace a worn-out or damaged guide.
Take out any screws that are holding the roller guide in place by using a screwdriver. Make use of your hands to gently pull it from the frame. It may take some effort, so have an assistant help you keep the door in place while you take it off.
After removing the guide, carefully cut the remaining finish off the foot of the guide by using a razor to cut it from blank rod. repairmywindowsanddoors will make the guide's foot much easier to remove and also prevent any damage. Be cautious while doing this, as the guide foot is extremely sharp and could cut or nick your fingers.
It is likely that you will need to use some force to take the guide off, but take care not to break or chip the foot. After you've removed the guide from the rod blank, make sure to get rid of all the threads and epoxy that remain in the place where it was attached. This will prevent future problems with the guide.
After removing the guide, check the new one by placing it at its permanent position. Make a few turns with masking tape or guide tubing in order to hold it in position. This allows you to double-check the alignment of the guide and spacing to ensure everything is properly set up. This step is crucial to avoid any future issues, whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or simply eyeball it.
The final step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the right position and functioning in the correct way, then you can proceed. Remember that any screws or pins you loosened or removed should be replaced and tightened properly when you're done.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors can be a beautiful feature for a home, but they often require tweaking or adjusted to keep them in good shape. Some issues can be addressed by keeping the doors in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will show you how to take off the internal bifold door pins, rollers and pivots.
The first step is to gather your tools. You will save yourself some frustration if you collect all your tools in advance. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers and perhaps a wrench. A basic set of tools can be bought at a reasonable cost from your local hardware store. Keep some wood glue in the back of your hand. This is helpful when you need to fix the rollers into their place.
Once you've collected your tools, start by opening the bifold doors, and then loosening the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once the bracket is free, you'll be able to slide the door off of the top track. It might take a bit of jiggling but it should be able to pop right off the track.
The bottom pivot of the frame will need to be removed. This should be done from the outside of the house Be sure to shut any interior doors that are open. This will make it simpler instead of working from the inside. If the track at the bottom is in good shape you'll be able to lift the door and then remove the track.
You will need to replace the track if it is damaged. Hardware stores offer replacement tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is badly damaged, you may have to replace it completely.
You'll now need to test your doors for proper function. Verify that the doors move in and out of their position effortlessly. You'll need to ensure that the edges of your door are aligned to the frame when it's closed. If they aren't, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket by tightening or loosening the bottom set screw.
Replace the Roller
If they are installed correctly, bifold doors can neatly protect pantries, laundry rooms and closets. They consist of two door panels that hinge together and open up on tracks that are positioned in the top of the frame. Over time the roller guide bearings can wear out and cause the doors to bow and scrape against the floor. The guide roller can be replaced in just a few minutes with basic tools.
The first step is to take the guide for the roller from the door panel. The pivot bolt at the bottom is to be removed, as well as the screw that holds the guide to the top of the door panel needs to be removed. After the guide is removed, lift the door panel up and away from its track. Next, loosen the nut that holds the top pivot bolt, and use an abrasive to remove it from the hole in the top header of the door frame.
Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a replacement top nylon roller with a 7/8-inch wheel mounted on a base made of steel. It mounts at the top edge of bifold doors that range from 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is spring loaded and adjusts itself in the upper track to ensure smooth gliding.
Bifold doors can also scratch against the floor when it closes and opens. This can happen after adding carpet or other flooring materials which require the doors to be elevated to allow for clearance. The removal of the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom and loosening the top track's mounting screws and moving the anchor/pivot pin typically enough to eliminate this issue.
A set top roller with new guides can be an inexpensive solution to your bifold doors being difficult to operate. They are usually available at the hardware store near you in the door section however, they are also available online from a number of vendors. In addition to a brand-new top roller guide, you will require a small amount 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 area being repaired sealed after the glue has been installed and dried.