This Is The Advanced Guide To Repair Bifold Door Top Roller
How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors are sticking it's likely they need some attention. They could require cleaning or lubricated, or even adjusted. The problem could be caused by an unfastened bolt 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 to its optimal performance.
Remove the Door
Installing an interior set of bifold doors may seem like an involved and challenging task, but it's actually quite straightforward for a DIYer with a little experience. Moving the frame isn't the problem The trick is getting the doors to fold and close easily and precisely. Since bifold doors are complicated machines, they might require some tuning to keep functioning correctly. This could be as easy as tightening a screw or as complex as removing the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.
You can usually resolve these issues with some minor adjustments without the need to take off the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sliding, scraping the floor or slipping off track. Getting these issues under control isn't a big deal, and with three simple steps, your bifold doors should be back on track in no time.
One of the most common problems that internal bifold doors have to face is the tendency to slide out of alignment. This could be due loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. The majority times this can be fixed by a few simple adjustments. If, however, your door isn't moving at all, you may need to replace it.
You'll have to take off the door using a screwdriver, and possibly a pair pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are too tight. The screwdriver will be used to release any locking levers that are on the bottom bracket of the pivot and the pliers will allow you to wiggle the pin to release it and then take it off.
After the top roller has become loose, you should be able to lift the door and swivel it downwards and allow you to pull it off of its pivot brackets and track. It's usually quite simple however, be sure not to let the door crash against the door frame. Then, you'll be able to saw off the edge of the door which is scratching the floor, and sand it down until smooth. Then paint or refinish the door if needed.
Remove the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller guides the mount on top of the bifolding door to aid in smooth operation. It is designed specifically for Kenna frames and will fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made from nylon, steel and plastic components. It can be used to replace a damaged or worn-out guide.
Remove any screws holding the roller guide in place with the screwdriver. Then, use your hands to remove it of the frame. This might take some effort, so let an assistant help you keep the door in place as you remove it.
After removing the old guide, carefully cut the remaining finish on the foot of the guide by using a razor to cut it from blank rod. This will make the guide's foot easier to remove, and prevent any damage. Be careful when doing this because the foot is extremely sharp and can cut or nick your fingers.
It is likely that you will need to use some force to get the guide off, but be cautious not to chip or break the foot. After you've removed the guide, you must remove any threads or epoxy left in the place where it was fixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.
After you have removed the previous guide, test your replacement by placing it in its new location. Apply a few rotations using masking tape or guide tubing to hold it in position. This will allow you to check the alignment of your guide and spacing to ensure that everything is set up correctly. It doesn't matter if you're looking at it from a distance or using the dependable CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System, this step is important to avoid any problems in the future.
The final step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the right position and functioning just as it should, you're able to proceed. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins you removed or loosen.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors can be an attractive feature for a home, but they sometimes need to be tweaked 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 the internal bifold door pivots, pins and rollers so you can make your doors glide as new.
The first step is to gather your tools. Making sure you have everything in place ahead of time will make it easier later on in the project. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers and perhaps a wrench. You can buy a set of basic tools at your local hardware store for a reasonable cost. It's also a good idea to keep some wood glue on hand. This will come in handy if you have to fix any rollers back into the correct position.
Once you've collected the tools, begin by opening the bifold doors and then loosening the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose, you should be able to lift the door off of the top track. It might take a bit of dancing but it should eventually pop off the track.
The next step is to remove the bottom pivot from the frame. You'll want to do this from the outside of your home, so be sure to close any internal doors you have open. This will make it much easier than trying to work on the inside. If the track at the bottom is still in good condition it will be possible to just lift up the door and remove the track.
If the track is damaged, then you'll need to replace it. You can purchase new tracks for swinging and bifold closet doors from a local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged, then you might need to replace it completely.
You'll need to test your doors to ensure their proper operation. Make sure they're capable of moving smoothly between positions. 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 setscrew until the door's edge is perfectly aligned with the frame.
Replace the Roller
If they are installed correctly they can be used to enclose pantries, laundry nooks and closets. Bifold doors are made up of two panels that are hinged and slide down tracks at the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guide bearings can wear out, causing the doors to slide and rub against the floor. Replacing the roller guide requires only a few minutes and basic tools.
The first step is to remove the guide roller from your door panel. This involves removal of the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide on its top. After bifold door repairs near me of the guide, pull the panel out of the track. Then, loosen the nut that secures the top pivot bolt, and employ 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 inch diameter wheel and a steel base is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It mounts on the top of bifold doors that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.
Another common problem with a bifold door is that it scrapes against the floor when it opens or closes. This is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised slightly for proper clearance. This issue can be resolved by taking off the screws that adjust the bottom pivot, loosening up the top track mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot.
A new set of top roller guides is a cheap solution to a problem that could make bifold doors difficult to operate. They're usually available at your local hardware store in the door section, however, they are also available on the internet from a variety of sellers. You'll also require an elongated squeeze-clamp as well as a small container Elmer's wood adhesive, that is sold in large box stores. The clamp helps to hold the repair area in place after the glue has been inserted and allowed to dry.