How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are sticking and squeaking, they may require some maintenance. It is possible that you need to clean, lubricate or adjust them. The problem may be caused by a loose screw on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.

This kit includes all the hardware you require to restore your bi fold repairs-fold wardrobe door to its peak performance.

Remove the Door

It may appear complicated and difficult to set up an internal set of bifold doors, but for DIYers with a little experience, it's actually a breeze. The frame isn't the problem however, getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. Because bifold doors are intricate machines, they could require some 'tuning' to continue functioning correctly. It could be as simple as tightening the screw, or as intricate as removing and replacing the door's pivot pin or roller.

Most 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 and scraping the floor or slipping off track. The solution to these issues isn't difficult, and with three simple steps your bifold doors can be back in the blink of an eye.

The most common issue internal bifolding doors face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws or holes in the anchor/pivot pins or simply a door that isn't aligned properly. In the majority of cases, you can correct this by making a few simple adjustments, however if the door isn't moving at all, it might need to be removed and replaced.

You'll have to take off the door using the help of a screwdriver and possibly an plier pair to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver is used to break any locking levers that are on the bottom pivot bracket and the pliers allow you to pull the pin and take it off.

When the top roller is loose, you should be able to lift the door and swivel it downward, allowing you to take it off of its track and pivot brackets. This is typically quite easy however, be sure not to let the door crash against the frame of the door. You'll then be able to saw off the edge of the door that's scratching the floor, and sand it down until smooth. Then, you can repaint or finish it according to the requirements.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guides mounts on the top of a bifolding door to aid in smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and can fit a door panel 1 inch to 1/8 inch thick. It is made from steel, nylon, and plastic components. It will replace a damaged guide.

Take out any screws that are holding the guide to the roller by using the screwdriver. Use your hands to carefully remove it from the frame. It might require some effort to take off the door, so you may need an assistant to help.

After removing the guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish off the guide's foot using a razor to separate it from blank rod. This will make it easier to take off and protect the new guide foot. Be cautious while doing this because the foot is very sharp and can cut or snag your fingers.

You may have to use some force to remove the guide, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After removing the guide, you must remove any epoxy or threads left in the area it was anchored. This will prevent future problems with the guide.

After removing the previous guide, test your replacement by placing it in its permanent location. Make a few turns with masking tape or guide tubing to hold it in position. This will allow you to check the guide alignment and spacing to make sure everything is in place. It doesn't matter if you're looking at it from a distance or using the dependable 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 correct position and is working in the correct way, then you're ready to proceed. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins you removed or loosen.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors can be a beautiful addition to any home, but they sometimes require tweaking or adjusted to ensure they remain in good condition. Certain issues can be solved with the doors still in place. Others will require that the doors be removed. This guide will demonstrate how to remove the internal bifold door pins, rollers and pivots.

Gathering your tools is the first step. You will save yourself some frustration if you collect all of your tools beforehand. You'll need a screwdriver pliers, and possibly a wrench. You can pick up a basic set of tools at your local hardware store for a reasonable cost. It's important to have some wood glue on hand. This is helpful when you need to put the rollers in the right place.

Once you've collected your tools, begin by opening the bifold doors and then loosening the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once it's loose, the door should be able to slide off the top track completely. It could take a little small amount of jiggling, but it should come right off the track.

Next, you'll need to remove the bottom pivot from the frame. Close all interior doors prior to starting. This will be much easier than working from inside. If the track at the bottom appears good, you can simply lift the door and remove the track.

If the track is damaged, then you'll need to replace it. You can buy tracks that are suitable for swinging and bifold closet doors from your local hardware store. If the track is badly damaged then you may need to replace it entirely.

It is now time to test your doors for the proper operation. Make sure that the doors move in and out of their place effortlessly. You'll also want to check that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when it is closed. If they aren't, then you'll have to adjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom screwscrew until the door's edge is perfectly aligned with the frame.

Replace the Roller

When they are properly installed, bifold doors can neatly cover laundry nooks, pantries and closets. They are made up of two panels that hinge together and open using tracks that are positioned in the frame's top. Over time, the roller guides can wear out and cause the doors to sag. The guide roller can be replaced in a matter of minutes using a few tools.

The first step is to remove the roller guide from your door panel. The bolt that holds the repairing bottom of bifold door pivot must be removed, and the screw that holds the guide to the top of the door panel must be removed. After removal of the guide, lift the panel out of the track. Then, loosen the nut that secures the top pivot bolt and employ an abrasive to remove it from the hole in the top header of the door frame.

Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a top nylon replacement roller with a 7/8-inch diameter wheel on a steel base. It mounts on the top edge of the bifold door seal replacement door, which is 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is spring-loaded to adjust in the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.

Bifold doors can also scrape against the floor as it opens and closes. This can occur after adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised to ensure proper clearance. This issue can be solved by removing the screws that adjust the bottom pivot, loosening up the top track mounting screws and moving anchor/pivot.

A set top roller with new guides could be a low-cost solution to the problem of your bifold doors being difficult to operate. They are typically found at your local hardware shop in the door section. However they can be bought 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 area being repaired closed tightly after the glue has been installed and dried.