How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are sticking it's likely they require some maintenance. It is possible that you need to clean and lubricate them or adjust them. The problem may be caused by an unfastened screw on the top pivot or the top guide roller.

This kit includes all the hardware you need to restore your bi-fold wardrobe door system to its optimal performance.

Take the door off

Installing a set of internal bifold doors might seem like an involved and difficult project however, it's actually straightforward for a DIYer with a bit of experience. The frame is not the problem however, getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. repairing bifold doors doors are complex pieces of machinery and, as such they could require some tuning up to function correctly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complex as removing the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

The majority times, you can solve these issues by making a few basic adjustments without removing the doors. You might notice that your bifold doors are sagging or scraping the floor, or bouncing off the track. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Follow three easy steps and your bifold door will be back in the right direction in no time.

One of the most common issues that internal bifold doors face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This can be caused by loose screws or holes in the anchor/pivot pins or simply a door that isn't aligned properly. In most instances, you can fix this with a few easy adjustments, but if your door isn't moving, it could be necessary to have it removed and replaced.

To take the door off, you'll need a screwdriver and possibly two pliers (to aid in loosening any tight pivot pins). The screwdriver can be used to loosen the locking levers on the bottom of the pivot bracket. The pliers are used for removing the pin.

When the top roller is loose, you should be able to lift the door and swivel it down and allow you to pull it off its pivot brackets and track. It's usually a simple procedure, but be careful to not let the door strike the frame of the door. Then you can sand the edges of the door to make it smooth. Then, you can repaint or refinish it as required.

Take off the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded guide roller is mounted on the top of the bifold door seal replacement door to assist with smooth operation. It is specifically designed specifically for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made from steel, nylon, and plastic components. It will replace an old guide.

Remove any screws holding the guide to the roller by using a screwdriver. Use your hands to carefully lift it off the frame. It may take some effort, so let someone else help you keep the door in place while you remove it.

After the guide has been removed, carefully cut the remaining finish on the foot of the new guide using a razor blade to remove it from the rod blank. This will make it easier to take off and ensure that there is no damage to the new guide foot. Be cautious while doing this as the foot is very sharp and could potentially cut or snag your fingers.

It is likely that you will need to use a bit of force to get the guide off, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After you've separated the old guide from the rod blank, make sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy remaining in the area where it was affixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.

After removing the old guide, test out the new guide by placing it in its new location and then applying a few turns of masking tape or a kind of guide tubing to hold it in its place. This will allow you double examine the guide's spacing and alignment to ensure that everything is properly set up. This is essential to avoid future problems regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System, or just eyeball it.

The last step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the proper position and functioning in the correct way, then you're ready to proceed. Remember 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 a stunning feature for a home, but they sometimes require to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they remain in good working order. Some issues can be addressed with the doors in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will walk you through the steps to remove the internal bifold door pivots, pins and rollers so that you can get your doors sliding like new again.

The first step is to gather your tools. You'll avoid frustration by assembling all of your tools beforehand. You'll require a screwdriver, pliers and perhaps a wrench. You can buy a set of basic tools at your local hardware store for a fair cost. It's important to keep some wood glue in your kit. This is helpful when you need to glue the rollers into place.

Once you've collected your tools, begin by opening the bifold doors and then loosening the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once the bracket is in place, you should be able slide the door off of the top track. It may take some dancing but it should eventually pop off the track.

The pivot at the bottom of the frame will need to be removed. It is best to do this from the outside of your home, so be sure to close any interior doors that you are able to open. This will be much easier than working from inside. If the bottom track still appears good, you can simply raise the door to take off the track.

If the track is damaged, you'll have to replace it. You can get tracks that are suitable for swinging and bifold closet doors from your local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged, you may have to replace it completely.

It is now time to test your doors for proper function. Check that they're capable of moving smoothly in and out of position. Also, you should ensure that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they aren't, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket by tightening or loosening the bottom setscrew.

Replace the Roller

If they are installed properly the bifold doors can easily protect pantries, laundry rooms and closets. 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 bow. The roller guide can be replaced in just a few minutes with basic tools.

The first step is to take the guide roller from the door panel. This involves removing the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide at its top. After taking off the guide, lift the panel out of the track. Then, loosen the nut that holds the top pivot bolt and employ an abrasive 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 can be mounted on the top of bifold doors that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It comes spring-loaded to self-adjust in the upper track to ensure smooth gliding.

A bifold door may also scrape against the floor as it closes and opens. This is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised slightly to allow for adequate clearance. Removal of the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom and loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor pin typically enough to eliminate this issue.

A set top roller with new guides can be an inexpensive solution to your bifold doors becoming difficult to operate. You can usually find them at your local hardware store in the door section, but they're also accessible on the internet from a variety of sellers. You will also need an elongated squeeze-clamp as well as a small container Elmer's wood adhesive, that is sold in big box stores. The clamp assists in keeping the repair bifold door top pivot area tightly after glue is inserted, and allowed to dry.