How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors have become stuck, they probably require some maintenance. They could require cleaning or lubricated, or even adjusted. The issue could be caused by a loose bolt on the top pivot, or by the top guide roller.
This kit contains all the necessary hardware to restore your bi-fold closet door to optimal performance.
Take the door off
Installing an internal set of bifold doors could seem like an involved and challenging project, but it's actually quite easy for DIYers with a little experience. The frame is not the issue however, getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. Bifold doors are a complex piece of machinery and, therefore they may require some tuning up to keep working correctly. This could be as simple as tightening a screw or as complex as taking out the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.
Most of the time you can fix these issues with a couple of simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You might find that your doors are sagging, scraping the floor, or that they are bouncing off of their track. In order to fix these issues, it isn't difficult, and with three easy steps, your bifold doors should be back in no time.
One of the most common issues that internal bifold doors encounter is sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws, holes in the anchor/pivot pins or simply a door that isn't aligned properly. The majority times this can be fixed with a few simple adjustments. If, however, your door doesn't move at all, you may have to replace it.
You'll have to take off the door using the help of a screwdriver and possibly a pair pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are too tight. The screwdriver is used to break any locking levers on the bottom bracket of the pivot and the pliers allow you to wiggle the pin to release it and then take it off.
After the top roller is removed After that, you can lift the door, then swivel it downwards and remove it from its track and pivot brackets. It's usually a simple procedure, but you need to be careful to not let the door strike the door frame. Then you can sand the edge of the door to make it smooth. You can then paint or refinish the door as required.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller is mounted on top of bifolding doors to facilitate smooth operation. It is made to work with Kenna frames, and will fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel and plastic components and can replace a worn or damaged guide.
Take out any screws that are holding the guide to the roller with a screwdriver. Use your hands to slowly lift it off the frame. It may take some effort, so let a friend help you to keep the door in place as you remove it.
Once the old guide is removed, carefully cut the remaining finish on the foot of the new guide using a sharp blade to remove it from the rod blank. This will make it easier to take off and protect the new guide foot. The foot is extremely sharp and could cut or nick fingers.
You may need to apply some force to remove the guide, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After you've removed the old guide, remove any remaining epoxy or threads in the place where it was anchored. This will help avoid future problems with the guide.
After removing the guide, try out your replacement by placing it in its new location and applying a few rotations of masking tape or some type of guide tubing to keep it in place. This will allow you double verify the guide's spacing and alignment to ensure everything is set up properly. This step is crucial to avoid any future issues, whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or just eyeball it.
The last step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the correct position and functioning in the correct way, then you're ready to proceed. Remember that any screws or pins that were removed or loosening must be replaced and tightened appropriately after you've finished.
Take the Bottom Pivot off.
Bifold doors can be a stunning addition to any home, but they may require to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they remain in good shape. Certain issues can be solved by keeping the doors in place. Others will require the doors be removed. This guide will guide you through the steps to remove internal bifold pivots for doors and rollers, as well as pins and pins, to make your doors glide as new.
The first step is to gather your tools. Getting everything together before time can save you some frustration later in the process. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers, and possibly a wrench. You can purchase a set of basic tools at your local hardware store for a reasonable cost. It's recommended to keep some wood glue handy. This is helpful if you need to put the rollers in place.
Once you've got your tools, start by opening the bifold doors. Then, you'll need to loosening the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is free, you'll be able slide the door off of the top track. It might take a bit of dancing but it should eventually pop off the track.
Next, you'll need to remove the pivot at the bottom from the frame. This should be done from the outside of the house, so be sure to close any interior doors that are open. This will be a lot easier than trying to work from inside. If the track on the bottom appears to be in good condition you can lift the door and take off the track.
You'll have to replace the track if damaged. Hardware stores offer replacement tracks for bifold doors, as well as swinging closet doors. If Repair My Windows And Doors is seriously damaged, you may have to replace it completely.
Once your track is repaired or replaced it is time to test the doors to ensure proper operation. Check that the doors can move into and out of their position smoothly. You'll also want to check that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they're not, you'll need to readjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom screwscrew until the edge of the door coincides perfectly with the frame.
Replace the Roller
If they are installed correctly the bifold doors can easily protect laundry nooks, pantries and closets. The bifold doors consist of two panels that are hinged and slide on an incline at the top of the frame. Over time the roller guide bearings could wear out, causing the doors to sag and rub against the floor. The roller guide can be replaced in a matter of minutes using a few tools.
The first step is removing the roller guide from your door panel. This requires taking off the pivot bolt at the bottom and loosening the screw that holds the guide at its top. After the guide has been removed, lift the door panel up and off its track. Then, loosen the bolt that holds the top pivot bolt and employ an abrasive to pull it out of the hole in the top header of the door frame.
A top nylon replacement guide that has a 7/8 inch diameter wheel and a base made of steel is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It is mounted on the top of a bifold door that is 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track for smooth glide.
Another issue that is common to bifold doors is that it scrapes the floor when it closes or opens. This can happen after installing carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised slightly for proper clearance. This issue can be resolved by taking off the bottom pivot adjustment screws by loosening the top track mounting screws, and moving anchor/pivot.
A set top roller with new guides can be an inexpensive solution to the problem of your bifold doors being difficult to operate. They are typically found at the local hardware store in the door section. However, they can be ordered online from various suppliers. In addition to a new top guide for rollers, you'll require a small amount of Elmer's wood glue that is sold in the big box stores as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the area being repaired closed tightly after the glue has been placed in and dried.
