How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your repairing bifold doors door is squeaking then it's likely that they need some maintenance. They may require cleaning and lubricated or adjusted. The issue could be caused by a loose bolt on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.

This kit contains everything you need to restore your bi-fold door repairs near me wardrobe door to its best performance.

Take the door off

It may appear complicated and challenging to put in the bifold internal doors however for 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 intricate pieces of machinery, and as such they may require some 'tuning up' to ensure that they function properly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complex as taking out the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.

You can usually fix these issues by making some minor adjustments without having to remove the doors. You may find that your doors are sagging or scratching the floor, or that they are bouncing off of their track. The solution to these issues isn't difficult, and with three simple steps the bifold doors will be back on track in no time.

One of the most common problems that internal bifold doors face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This can be due to loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or an unaligned bifold door. In most cases, you can correct this with a few easy adjustments, but if your door isn't moving at all, it could be necessary to have it removed and replaced.

To open the door, you'll need an appropriate screwdriver, and possibly a pair of pliers (to aid in loosening any tight pivot pins). The screwdriver is used to disengage the locking levers at the bottom of the pivot bracket. The pliers are used to take off the pin.

After the top roller is loose it should be possible to raise the door and swivel it downwards and allow you to pull it off of its track and pivot brackets. This is typically quite easy, but be careful not to let the door crash against the frame of the door. Then you can sand the edges of the door to make it smooth. You can then repaint it or refinish it as required.

Take off the Roller Guide

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

To begin removing the roller guide, remove any screws holding it in place using a screwdriver and a bit to loosen it. After that, carefully use your hands to lift it out of the frame. This might take some effort, so let an assistant help you keep the door in place while you take it off.

Once the old guide is removed, carefully cut through the remaining finish around the foot of the new guide with the help of a razor blade to cut it off from the rod blank. This will make the guide foot easier to remove, and prevent any damage. Be cautious while doing this, as the guide foot is extremely sharp and can cut or nick your fingers.

It is possible to use some force to remove the guide, but take care not to break or chip the foot. Once you have separated the guide from the rod blank, be sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy remaining in the area where it was attached. This will prevent future problems with the guide.

After removing the old guide, test out your replacement by placing it in its place and then applying a few rotations of masking tape or a kind of guide tubing to keep it in its place. This will allow you double check the guide spacing and alignment to ensure that everything is set up correctly. If you're eyeballing it or using the dependable CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System it is essential to prevent any issues in the future.

If the guide is set properly and is functioning according to its intended function then the final step is to put the door back in its place. Make sure that any screws or pins that you removed or loosened should be replaced and tightened appropriately after you've finished.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors are a beautiful addition to any home, but sometimes they require some adjustment or tweaking to stay in great shape. While some of the more straightforward issues can be resolved by keeping the doors in place, others will require them to be removed. This guide will walk you through how to remove the internal bifold door pivots, pins and rollers so you can make your doors slide like new again.

The first step is to gather your tools. You'll avoid frustration if you collect all your tools in advance. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers, and possibly a wrench. A set of basic tools can be bought at a reasonable price at your local hardware store. It's also a good idea to have some wood glue in your kit. This will come in handy when you need to fix any rollers back into the correct position.

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

The pivot on the bottom of the frame will need to be removed. You'll want to do this from the outside of your home Be sure to shut any interior doors that you are able to open. This will make it easier than trying to work on the inside. If the track on the bottom is still in good working order, you'll be able to just lift up the door and then remove the track.

You will need to replace the track if it is damaged. You can purchase new tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors at your local hardware store. If the track is severely damaged, you may need to replace it completely.

Once your track is repaired or replaced, you'll need to test the doors for the proper operation. Check that they're easily able to move in and out of position. You'll want to make sure that the edges of your door are parallel to the frame when it's closed. If they're not, 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 the bifold doors can easily protect laundry nooks, pantries and closets. They are made up of two panels that are hinged and open up on a track that sits in the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guide bearings may wear out and cause the doors to slide and scrape against the floor. The guide roller can be replaced in a matter of minutes using a few tools.

The first step is to remove the guide roller from the door panel. The bolt that holds the bottom pivot must be removed, and the screw that holds the guide to the top of the door panel should be removed. After the guide has been removed then lift the door frame up and out of its track. Then, loosen the bolt that secures the top pivot bolt, and use the wrench 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 " diameter wheel and a steel base is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It mounts on the top of the bifold door, which is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick and comes spring-loaded to self-adjust in the upper track to ensure smooth glide.

Another issue that is common to bifold doors is that it scrapes the floor when it opens or closes. This can happen after installing 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 usually enough to clear this issue.

A new set of roller guides could be a low-cost solution to your bifold doors becoming difficult to operate. They are usually available at the local hardware store in the door section. However they can be ordered online from several suppliers. You will also need 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 repair bifold door top roller area tightly after glue is inserted and allowed to dry.