How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are sticking it's likely they require some maintenance. You may have to clean or lubricate them, or even adjust them. The problem could be caused by a loose bolt on the top pivot, or by the top guide roller.

This kit comes with all the necessary hardware to bring your bi fold repairs-fold closet door system to its best performance.

Remove the Door

Installing a set of internal bifold door repair bracket doors could seem like an involved and complicated project however, it's actually simple for anyone with a bit of experience. The frame's placement isn't a major issue but the trick is getting the doors to fold and close smoothly and accurately. Because bifold doors are intricate machines, they might require some tuning to keep functioning properly. It could be as simple as tightening the screw, or as complex as removing and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

The majority of the time you can fix these issues with a few simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sliding or scraping the floor, or bouncing off the track. It's easy to fix these problems. Just follow three simple steps and your bifold door should be back on track in no time.

The most frequent issue that internal bifolding doors face is that they slide 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. In the majority of cases, you can correct this with a few easy adjustments, but if the door isn't moving at all it may need to be removed and replaced.

To take the door off you'll need a screwdriver and possibly two pliers (to assist in loosening any pins that are tight to pivot). The screwdriver is used to disengage the locking levers located 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 downward and allow you to pull it off its track and pivot brackets. This is typically quite easy however be careful not to let the door slam against the frame of the door. Then you can sand the edges of the door to smooth it. You can then paint or refinish the door if necessary.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guide mounts on the top of the bifold door to assist with smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and will fit the door's panel from 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made from steel, nylon and plastic components. It can be used to replace a worn-out or damaged guide.

Remove any screws holding the guide to the roller by using a screwdriver. Use your hands to carefully pull it from the frame. It may require some effort to take off the door, so ask someone else to assist you.

After removing the guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish on the foot of the guide using a razor to separate it from blank rod. This will make it easier to remove and will protect the new guide foot. Be careful when doing this, as the guide foot is extremely sharp and could potentially cause injury to your fingers or cut them.

It is likely that you will need to use some force to take the guide off, but be careful not to chip or break the foot. After you've removed the old guide, remove any remaining epoxy or threads in the area it was anchored. This will avoid future issues with the guide.

After removing the guide, check the new one by placing it in its new location. Apply a few rotations with masking tape or guide tubing in order to ensure it stays in place. This will allow you to check the alignment of your guide and spacing to ensure that everything is properly set up. Whether you're eye-balling it or using the dependable CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System This step is crucial to prevent any issues in the future.

If the guide is positioned correctly and functioning as it should the next step is to reinstall the door in its place. Be aware that any screws or pins that you removed or loosened should be replaced and tightened correctly when you're finished.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors can be an attractive feature for a home, but they may require tweaking or adjusted to ensure they remain in good shape. Some issues can be resolved with the doors in place. Others will require that 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, so you can make your doors glide like new again.

Gathering your tools is the first step. You will save yourself some frustration if you gather all your tools in advance. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers and perhaps a wrench. You can buy an assortment of basic tools at your local hardware store for a reasonable price. Also, keep some wood glue in your kit. This can be useful in the event that you need to glue one of the rollers back into their original position.

Once you've collected your tools, begin by opening the bifold doors, and then loosening the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once it's loose the door should be able to slide off the top track completely. It might take a little shaking but it should eventually pop off the track.

The bottom pivot of the frame will have to be removed. Close all doors in the interior prior to starting. This will be much simpler than working from the inside. If the track on the bottom is still in good working order you'll be able to lift the door and take off the track.

You'll need to replace the track if it is damaged. Hardware stores sell replacement tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is seriously damaged, you may have to replace it completely.

You'll now need to test your doors for proper function. Verify that the doors move in and out of their position smoothly. You'll also want to check 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 by tightening or loosening the bottom set screw.

Replace the Roller

Bifold doors can be used to neatly cover closets or laundry rooms, as well as pantries, but only when they work properly. They are made up of two panels that are hinged together and open up on tracks that are positioned in the top of the frame. Over time the guides for the rollers can wear out and cause the doors to sag. The roller guide can be replaced in a matter of minutes with the use of basic tools.

The first step is to take the guide for the roller from the door panel. The bottom pivot bolt is to be removed, as well as the screw that connects the guide to the top of the door panel needs to be loosen. Once the guide is removed and the door panel is lifted up and out of its track. Then with a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the header of the frame by loosening the nut.

Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a replacement top nylon roller with a 7/8-inch wheel mounted on a base made of steel. It mounts on the top edge of the bifold door, which is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and comes spring-loaded to self-adjust in the upper track for smooth gliding.

Another common problem with a bifold door roller replacement door is that it scrapes against the floor when it opens or closes. This can occur after adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised for proper clearance. This issue can be fixed by removing the bottom pivot adjustment screws by loosening the top track mounting screws and moving anchor/pivot.

A new set of top roller guides is a low-cost solution to a problem that can make bifold doors difficult to operate. They're usually available at your local hardware store in the door section, but they're also available on the internet from a variety of vendors. In addition to a 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 assists in keeping the repair area tightly after the glue has been inserted and allowed to dry.