How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold door is squeaking it's likely they need some attention. They could need to be cleaned, lubricated or adjusted. The issue could be caused by loose screws on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.
This kit includes all the hardware needed to restore your bi-fold closet door to its best performance.
Remove the Door
It may appear complicated and difficult to set up the bifold internal doors, but for those who are DIYers with some experience, it's actually quite easy. The frame is not the problem however, getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. Bifold doors are a complex piece of machinery and, as such they may require some 'tuning up' to ensure that they function properly. It could be as simple as tightening up a screw, or as complex as taking out and replacing the door's pivot pin or roller.
It is usually possible to fix these problems with just a few minor adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may notice that your doors are sliding or scratching the floor, or that they are bouncing off of their tracks. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Follow these three easy steps and your bifold door should be back on the right direction in the shortest amount of time.
One of the most frequent issues that internal bifold doors have to face is the tendency to slide out of alignment. This could be due loose screws, holes in the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. The majority of the time, this can be corrected with a few simple adjustments. However, if your door doesn't move at all, you may need to replace it.
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 release the locking levers on the bottom of the pivot bracket. The pliers are used for removing the pin.
When the top roller has become loose it should be possible to lift the door and swivel it downward and allow you to pull it out of its pivot brackets and track. It is usually a simple procedure, but you need to be cautious not to let the door hit the door frame. Then, you can sand down the edges of the door to smooth it. You can then 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 made for Kenna frames, and can fit door panels from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made of steel, nylon and plastic components. It is able to replace an old guide.
To begin the process of removing the guide roller, take out any screws holding it in place using the screwdriver and a little to loosen it. Then, carefully use your hands to pull it out of the frame. It might require some effort to lift the door, so ask someone else to assist you.
Once the old guide is removed, carefully cut the remaining finish over the foot of the new guide using a sharp blade to separate it from the rod blank. This will make it easier to remove and will ensure that there is no damage to the new guide foot. Be cautious while doing this as the foot is extremely sharp and can cut or snag your fingers.
You may have to apply a little force to get the guide off, but be careful not to chip or break the foot. After you have separated the guide from the rod blank, make sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy that remain in the place where it was attached. bifold door roller replacement will help prevent any future issues with the guide.
After you have removed the previous guide, test your replacement by placing it in its permanent location. Apply a few rotations using masking tape or guide tubing to ensure it stays in place. This will allow you to double check the guide spacing and alignment to make sure that everything is properly set up. If you're eyeballing it or using the dependable CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System This step is crucial to prevent any issues in the future.
The final step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the proper position and functioning as it should, then you're able to proceed. Remember to replace and tighten any screws or pins that you removed or loosen.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors can be a beautiful feature for a home, but they sometimes need to be tweaked or adjusted to keep them in good working order. While some of the simpler issues can be resolved with the doors in place, others will require them to be removed. This guide will walk you through the steps to remove internal bifold door pivots and rollers, as well as pins and pins, to get your doors sliding as new.
The first step is to gather your tools. Getting everything together ahead of time will save you some frustration later in the process. You'll need a screwdriver pliers and perhaps a wrench. A basic set of tools can be bought at a reasonable price at your local hardware store. Also, keep some wood glue in the back of your hand. This will be useful when you need to put the rollers in their place.
After putting together your tools and tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket by using your screwdriver. Once it's loose, the door should be able to slide off the top track completely. It may take some jiggling, but it should pop off the track.
The bottom pivot of the frame needs to be removed. Close all doors in the interior prior to starting. This will be much easier than working from inside. If the track at the bottom is in good shape, you'll be able to just lift up the door and remove the track.
You will need to replace the track if it's damaged. You can get replacement tracks for both bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors from your local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged, you may have to replace it entirely.
It is now time to test your doors to ensure proper function. Verify that the doors be moved into and out of their place smoothly. Also, you should 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 and tighten or loosen the bottom set screw until the edge of the door lines up perfectly with the frame.
Replace the Roller
Bifold doors neatly enclose closets or laundry rooms, as well as pantries, but only when they function properly. They are made up of two panels that are hinged together and open up on tracks that are positioned in the frame's top. Over time the roller guides may wear out and cause the doors to bow. Replacing the roller guide requires only a few minutes, and a few basic tools.
The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. This requires removing the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide to its top. After taking off the guide, pull the panel off the track. Then, loosen the nut that secures the top pivot bolt and employ an abrasive to pull it out of the hole in the top header of the door frame.
A replacement top nylon roller guide with a 7/8 inch diameter wheel and a steel base is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It is mounted on the top edge of the bifold door, which is 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track for smooth gliding.
Another common problem with a bifold door is that it scrapes the floor when it is closed or opened. This can occur after adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised for proper clearance. Removal of the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom 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 an inexpensive solution to a problem that could make your bifold doors difficult to operate. They are usually available at your local hardware store in the door section but they're also available online from a number of vendors. In addition to a brand-new top roller guide, you will require a small bottle 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 repair area in place after glue is inserted, and allowed to dry.