Repair Bifold Door Top Pivot: 11 Things You're Forgetting To Do
How to Repair a Bifold Door Top Pivot
The top pivot may be loosened and scrape the floor. This can be fixed by loosening up the screw that holds the top bracket.
The top pivot pin is made of a screw made of metal that is inserted into a plastic cap that has a rounded top and is positioned above the front door. You'll also need a screwdriver, and possibly a pair pliers.
Take off the pin at the bottom.
Bifold doors are a great option to maximize space in your closet, but as time passes, they could begin to fall off the floor, or pop out of brackets. The good part is that you can solve the issue by making a few minor adjustments.
The most frequent issue is a loose bottom pin or bracket. You can correct this by pressing the spring-loaded wheel at the top of the door and swinging the door into position to align it with the bottom track. Once the gap is even you can tighten the screw that secures the top pivot point bracket to keep the door in place.
Another common issue is when the door's bottom comes into contact with the carpet and rubs across it. This can be caused by adding new carpet or changing the flooring material, and it can also be a result of an uneven gap between the door and hinge-side jamb. You can fix this by loosening the top guide, sliding it inwards or unscrewing the top pivot point.
The most frequent issue is when the upper track isn't aligned. This can be corrected by loosening and moving the screw on top of the set screw in or out, if needed. After you've adjusted the bolts and nuts that keep the track in place you can then slide it back into the bracket and secure it using the screw.
To remove the bottom pin, grasp both panels together at the sides and lift them off of the lower track and off their brackets. Release the locking levers on the bracket's bottom to release the pin. If the pin does not have a bracket for mounting, place a flat-head screwdriver in between the bottom of the pivot flange and the door to pry it out of the door. Once you've got a good grip on the pin and are able to pull it away then turn it from left to right. If you're not able to remove the pin, you could have to take the entire panel from the track system. If this is the case, then put it on a set of saw horses to make it easier to handle.
Remove the Top Pin
Bifold doors are great for saving space, but they can be frustrating when they begin to slide and scrape against the floor or fall off the track. There are a few simple adjustments that can help get them back on track.
If the doors move unevenly, loosen with a screwdriver the screw at the top bracket pivot point and then move it around. Close the door to determine if it aligns well with the frame. If it does, tighten the screw.
Another common problem with internal bifold doors is that the bottoms of the door scrape against the carpet. If this is the problem you can raise the door's bottom using the bottom pin adjustment. If the door is too high, you'll have to remove the doors and trim them with the help of a saw.
Over time the wood around the anchor and pivot pins may crack. If this happens, you can use epoxy to repair the crack and prevent it from getting any worse. Apply an amount of epoxy to the crack and let it set before using the door again.
If your bifold doors aren't closing or aligning well with the frame, it could be because they're too far from each other. You can fix it by moving the top of the door up or down the track.
Attempting to do this by hand can be difficult and it's advisable to get help when doing this project. Start by grabbing the outer and inner panels of the door at the sides, and then lifting them up. Stack them for easier handling.
Release any locking levers on the pivot bracket. If not you can grab the pin's top with a pair of vise grips, and twist it left to right while pulling it out. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the door. After both pins are removed the door will then open and align with the track. If it doesn't work it's possible to try again. You can use a drill to straighten the track if it is bent.
Reinstall the Bottom Pin
If the bottom pin doesn't function properly, it may cause the door to become bowed and stop it from closing and opening without difficulty. Fortunately, it's a simple fix. A loose or missing mounting bolt is usually to blame. If that's the case, the best thing to do is to replace the screw with a new one that's exactly the same length as the old one. Screw it into place and tighten.
If you're serious about your bifold repair, use an air pressure gauge to examine the top pin that is spring loaded for proper compression. The gauge can also be helpful in determining if the pin is damaged or cracked it is an important piece of information to know if you plan to replace it with a replacement.
An excellent way to determine if the pivot pin is damaged or worn out is by measuring its diameter as well as the diameter of the cap on its pin. Compare the measurements with the available online replacements. This will allow you to find the correct parts for your door.
Before installing the replacement pivot pin open the doors and then lean them against one other to make sure they're in the correct position for installation. If you're using a set of closet door knobs, carefully draw a line of level down the middle of the leading edge of each door. Utilizing a long-lasting level to mark this line so that you can be sure the top bifold track is level and in proper alignment with the jambs.
After the doors are set, insert the top pin into the pivot guide within the track and swing the bottom of the door into place so that the bottom of the pin rests on the L-shaped bracket. If the door does not fit correctly between the top guide and the bottom bracket, raise or lower the door as needed by removing or screwing in the adjustable pivot on the bottom of the door. Check that the gap between the door and the hinge side jamb is equal by using a long level and drawing an arc of plumb across the center of the door frame.
Reinstall the top pin
A bifold door is a set of hinged panels that fold back onto tracks to the other side of the door opening. They come in a wide range of styles, such as doors made of solid or paneled materials as well as louvered doors. They can be used for hallways, closets, laundry rooms or even bedrooms. You can alter the position of a pair of bifolds that are not functioning properly or scrape the floor by altering the pivots at the top and bottom pivot.
Take bifold door repair from the upper track. Then slide the bottom pin into its bracket, examining to see if the gap between the door and jamb-side of the frame is equal and correct.
If the gap between the bottom and the frame is too big you can make it smaller by loosening the pivot at the bottom of your door. This will move the door's bottom towards the frame and narrow the gap. You can adjust the track hanger's height by loosening the screw on the bottom of the track, and then adjusting the position with the help of a wrench.
Install the top track bracket on the hinge end of the door frame after you have installed the track hanger. For precise positioning, follow the instructions and diagrams included with your kit. Be sure that the track is flush and level with the floor prior securing it.
When installing a track, measure the width and height of the door opening to make certain that you have the correct dimensions of track and hardware kit. If you're unsure about the best way to install your bifold doors, consult with a professional installer to ensure that the installation is completed correctly. They will be able to tell you if the bifold doors you've got are the proper size for the opening you have and assist you in selecting the most appropriate design of door that will fit your home. If needed, they will cut the doors to ensure they fit. This can save you lots of time and money in the long term.