How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are sticking to the wall, they might require a little attention. They might need to be cleaned and lubricated or adjusted. The issue could be caused by a loose screw on the top pivot or the top roller guide.

This kit includes all the hardware you need to restore your bi folding door repair-fold wardrobe door to its peak performance.

Remove the Door

It may appear complicated and difficult to install an internal set of bifold doors however for DIYers with a little experience, it's actually a breeze. Moving the frame isn't a problem; the tricky part is getting the doors to fold and close smoothly and precisely. Bifold doors are intricate pieces of machinery and, as such they may require some 'tuning up' to function correctly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complex as taking out the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

You can usually fix these issues with a few simple adjustments, without having to take out the doors. It is possible that your bifold doors are sagging and scraping the floor or jumping out of track. It's not difficult to fix these issues. Just follow three simple steps and your bifold doors repair door should be back on track in short time.

The most frequent issue that internal bifolding doors encounter 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 is not aligned. In most cases, you can correct this issue with a few simple adjustments, however if the door isn't moving at all, it might need to be removed and replaced.

You'll need to open the door with a screwdriver, and possibly an plier pair to loosen any pivot pins that are too tight. The screwdriver is used to release any locking levers that are on the repairing bottom of bifold door bracket for pivoting and the pliers allow you to wiggle the pin and take it off.

After the top roller has been removed After that, you can lift the door, then swivel it downwards and then remove it from its pivot brackets and track. This is usually quite straightforward however, be sure not to let the door hit against the frame of the door. Then, you can sand down the edges of the door to smooth it. You can then repaint it or replace it with a new finish as needed.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guides mounts on the top of the bifolding door to facilitate smooth operation. It is designed for Kenna frames and will fit door panels from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel and plastic components. It can replace an old guide.

Take out any screws that are holding the roller guide in place with the screwdriver. Make use of your hands to gently remove it from the frame. This might take some effort, so have an assistant help you keep the door in place while you remove it.

Once the guide you used to guide your child is removed, carefully cut the remaining finish around the foot of the new guide using a sharp blade to remove it from the rod blank. This will make the guide foot easier to remove, and also prevent any damage. Be cautious while doing this, as the guide foot is very sharp and could cause injury to your fingers or cut them.

You will probably have to use a bit of force to take the guide off, but be careful not to break or chip the foot. After you have removed the guide from the rod blank, make sure to remove all of the threads and epoxy that remain in the place where it was attached. This will prevent future problems with the guide.

After you have removed the previous guide, you can test the replacement by placing it at its permanent location. Apply a few rotations using masking tape or guide tubing to hold it in position. 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, this step is important to prevent any issues in the future.

If the guide is positioned properly and functions as it should the next step will be to put the door back in place. Remember to replace and tighten any screws or pins you removed or loosened.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors make a gorgeous addition to any home but sometimes they need a little tweaking or adjustment to stay in good shape. Some issues can be addressed with the doors still in place. Others will require the doors be removed. This guide will show you how to remove the internal bifold door pins, rollers and pivots.

Gathering your tools is the first step. You will save yourself some frustration by assembling all your tools in advance. You'll also require an plier and a screwdriver. A basic set of tools can be bought at a reasonable price from your local hardware store. It's important to keep some wood glue on hand. This is helpful if you need to put the rollers in place.

After putting together your tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket by using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose, you should be able to slide the door off of the top track. 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 before you begin. This will be a lot easier than trying to work from the inside. If the bottom track still looks good it is possible to lift the door and take off the track.

If the track is damaged, then you'll have to replace it. You can get tracks that are suitable for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors at your local hardware store. If the track is badly damaged, then you might need to replace it entirely.

Now that your track is repaired or replaced, you'll need to test the doors for their proper operation. Check that they're able to move smoothly from position to position. You'll also want to check that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when it is closed. If they aren't, then you'll have to adjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom setscrew until the door's edge lines up perfectly with the frame.

Replace the Roller

Bifold doors are a great way to enclose closets as well as laundry nooks and pantries, but only if they function correctly. They comprise two door panels that are hinged together and open up on tracks that are positioned in the frame's top. Over time, the roller guides can wear out and cause the doors to sag. Replacing the roller guide takes only a few minutes, and the most basic tools.

The first step is to remove the guide roller from the door panel. This involves removal of the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide to its top. After removing the guide, lift the panel out of the track. Then with a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the frame's header by loosening the bolt.

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 can be mounted on the top of bifold doors that range from 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track for smooth gliding.

Another issue that is common to a bifold door is that it scrapes the floor when it opens or closes. This can happen after adding carpet, or other flooring materials which require the doors to be raised slightly to allow for clearance. Removing the screw that adjusts the bottom pivot and loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot pin is typically enough to resolve this issue.

A new set of top roller guides is an inexpensive solution to a problem that could make 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 suppliers. You'll also require a squeeze-clamp and a small container Elmer's wood adhesive, which can be found in large box stores. The clamp is used to keep the area being repaired shut after the glue has been installed and dried.