How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors are sticking, it's likely that they need some attention. They may need to be cleaned, lubricated or adjusted. 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 wardrobe door system to its peak performance.
Take the door off
Installing an internal set of bifold doors might seem like an involved and complicated task however, it's actually straightforward for a DIYer with a bit of experience. The frame is not the issue however, getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. As bifold doors are complex machines, they could require some tuning to keep functioning correctly. This might be something as easy as tightening a screw or as complex as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.
Most of the time you can fix these issues with a couple of basic adjustments without removing the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sliding or scraping the floor, or jumping out of track. In order to fix these issues, it isn't difficult, and with three simple steps, your bifold doors should be back in short 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 to loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. In the majority of cases, you can correct this issue with a few simple adjustments, but if your door isn't moving at all it could be necessary to have it removed and replaced.
You'll need to open the door using the help of a screwdriver and possibly a pair pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver will be used to disengage any locking levers on the bottom pivot bracket, and the pliers will allow you to wiggle the pin and take it off.
Once the top roller is removed After that, you can lift the door, turn it down and then remove it from its pivot brackets and track. This is usually quite straightforward, but be careful not to let the door slam against the frame of the door. Then, you'll be able to cut off the edge of the door that's scraping the floor, and then sand it until smooth. You can then repaint or finish it according to the requirements.
Remove the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded guide roller is mounted on the top edge of the bifold door to assist with smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and can fit doors that are 1 inch to 3/8 inches thick. It is made from nylon, steel, and other components. It can be used to replace a worn or damaged guide.
Take out any screws that are holding the guide to the roller by using the screwdriver. Use how you can help to slowly lift it off the frame. This might take some effort, so let someone else help you keep the door in place while you take it off.
Once the guide you used to guide your child is removed, carefully cut through the remaining finish on 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 much easier to remove and also prevent any damage. Be cautious when doing this because the foot is extremely sharp and could cause injury to your fingers or cut them.
You may have to use some force to remove the guide, but you must be careful not to break or chip the foot. After removing the old guide, remove any remaining epoxy or threads in the area where it was fixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.
After removing the previous guide, check the new one by placing it at its new location. Apply a few rotations using masking tape or guide tubing in order to ensure it stays in place. This will let you double verify the guide's spacing and alignment to ensure that everything is set up correctly. This is vital to avoid any issues in the future regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System or eyeball it.
The final step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the proper position and is working just as it should, you're ready to proceed. Be aware that any screws or pins that you removed or loosened must be replaced and tightened properly when you're done.
Take the Bottom Pivot off.
Bifold doors can be an attractive addition to any home, but they may need to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they are in good working order. While some of the less critical issues can be fixed with the doors in place, some will require them to be removed. This guide will walk you through how to remove the internal bifold door pivots, pins and rollers so that you can make your doors glide as new.
Gathering your tools is the first step. Getting everything together prior to time will make it easier later on in the project. You'll also need pliers and a screwdriver. A basic set of tools can be bought at a reasonable price from a local hardware store. Also, keep some wood glue on hand. This is useful in the event that you have to glue the rollers into place.
After putting together your tools then open the bifold doors and loosen the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once it's loose, the door should be free to slide off the top track completely. It might take a few jigglings but it should be able to pop right off the track.
The next step is to remove the pivot at the bottom from the frame. It is best to do this from the outside of your home Be sure to close any interior doors that are open. This will make it easier to do rather than working on the inside. If the bottom track is in good shape it will be possible to lift the door and take off the track.
If the track is damaged, you'll have to replace it. Hardware stores sell replacement tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is badly damaged, you might need to replace it completely.
You'll now need to test your doors for their proper operation. Make sure that the doors move into and out of their positions smoothly. You'll also want to check that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they aren't, then you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom screwscrew until the edge of the door is perfectly aligned with the frame.
Replace the Roller
Bifold doors can be used to neatly cover closets, laundry nooks and pantries, but only if they function correctly. They consist of two door panels that hinge together and open using tracks that are positioned in the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guide bearings could wear out and cause the doors to bow and rub against the floor. Replacing the roller guide requires just a few minutes and a few basic tools.
The first step is to remove the guide roller from your door panel. This requires removing the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide on its top. After removal of the guide, pull the panel out of the track. Then with a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the header of the frame by loosening the nut.
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 edge of a bifold door that is 1 to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and comes spring-loaded to self-adjust in the upper track for smooth glide.
Another issue that is common to a bifold door is that it scrapes against the floor when it is closed or opened. This is often the result of adding carpet, or other flooring materials which require the doors to be slightly raised to allow for clearance. Removing the bottom pivot adjustment screw, loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot pin typically enough to resolve 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 typically found at your local hardware store in the door section. However, they can be ordered on the internet from a variety of vendors. In addition to a brand-new top guide for rollers, you'll require a small amount 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 sealed after the glue has been installed and dried.