How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold door repair bracket doors are squeaking and squeaking, they may require some maintenance. It is possible that you need to clean or lubricate them, or even adjust them. The problem may be caused by loose screws on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.

This kit contains everything you need to restore your bi-fold wardrobe door system to its optimal performance.

Remove the Door

Installing an internal set of bifold doors could seem like an involved and challenging project but it's actually easy for DIYers with a few years of experience. Moving the frame isn't a problem but the trick is getting the doors to fold and close easily and precisely. As bifold doors are complex machines, they might require some 'tuning' to continue working properly. It could be as simple as tightening the screw, or as intricate as taking out and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

Most of the time you can fix these issues with a couple of simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sagging, scraping the floor or jumping out of track. It's not difficult to fix these issues. Follow three easy steps and your bifold door will be back on line in short time.

One of the most common issues that internal bifold doors encounter is sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws, holes in the anchor/pivots, or a misaligned bifold door. The majority of the time, this can be corrected by making a few minor adjustments. If, however, your door doesn't move in any way, you might require replacing it.

To remove the door you'll need an screwdriver and perhaps a pair of pliers (to help loosen any tight pivot pins). The screwdriver is used to release the locking levers located on the bottom bracket for pivots. The pliers are used for removing the pin.

When the top roller is loose it should be possible to lift the door and then swivel it downwards and allow you to pull it off of its track and pivot brackets. It's usually quite simple however be careful not to let the door crash against the door frame. Then you can sand the edge of the door to make it smooth. Then paint or refinish the door as required.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guide is mounted on the top edge of repairing bifold doors doors to aid in smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and will fit the door's panel from 1 to 1/8 inch thick. It is made of steel, nylon and plastic components. It can replace an old guide.

To begin to remove the guide for the roller, remove the screws that hold it in place by using a screwdriver and a bit to loosen it. Then, use your hands to remove it of the frame. It may take some effort to remove the door, so make sure you ask a friend to help you.

Once the guide you used to guide your child is removed, carefully cut through the remaining finish on the foot of the new guide using a sharp blade to cut it off from the rod blank. This will make the guide's foot easier to remove and will prevent any damage. The guide foot is extremely sharp, and it can cut or snag fingers.

You will probably have to use a bit of force to take the guide off, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After you've removed the old guide, remove any threads or epoxy left in the place where it was fixed. This will avoid future issues with the guide.

After removing the guide, test your replacement by putting it in its new location. Apply a few rotations using masking tape or guide tubing to ensure it stays in place. This will let you double check the guide spacing and alignment to make sure that everything is properly set up. It doesn't matter if you're looking at it from a distance or using the always accurate CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System it is essential to avoid any problems in the future.

If the guide is set correctly and functioning according to its intended function then the final step will be to reinstall the door in its place. Make sure to tighten and replace any screws or pins that you removed or loosened.

Take the Bottom Pivot off.

Bifold doors are a beautiful addition to any home but often they require a bit of tweaking or adjustment to remain in good shape. Some issues can be resolved with the doors in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will guide you through how to remove internal bifold pivots for doors, pins and rollers to make your doors glide like new again.

Gathering your tools is the first step. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration by assembling all of your tools beforehand. You'll also require an plier and a screwdriver. A basic set of tools is available at a reasonable price at your local hardware store. Keep some wood glue in the back of your hand. This can be very useful when you need to fix any of the rollers back into the correct position.

After gathering your tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket by using your screwdriver. Once it's loose, the door should be able to slide off the top track completely. It could take a little bit of jiggling but it should pop right off the track.

Next, you'll need to remove the pivot at the bottom from the frame. You'll want to do this from the outside of your home, so be sure to shut any interior doors that are open. This will make it simpler rather than working from the inside. If the bottom track is still in good condition, you'll be able to simply lift the door and remove the track.

If the track is damaged, then you'll have to replace it. You can purchase new tracks for repair bifold door top roller doors as well as swinging closet doors at your local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged then you may need to replace it entirely.

After your track has been repaired or replaced You'll need to test the doors for their proper operation. Verify that the doors move into and out of their place easily. You should also ensure 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 and tighten or loosen the bottom set screw until the edge of the door lines up perfectly with the frame.

Replace the Roller

If they are installed properly, bifold doors can neatly cover pantries, laundry rooms and closets. They consist of two door panels that are hinged and open up on a track that sits in the frame's top. Over time the roller guide bearings can wear out, causing the doors to slide and rub against the floor. Replacing the roller guide takes just a few minutes and basic tools.

The first step is removing the roller guide from your door panel. The pivot bolt at the bottom must be removed, and the screw that holds the guide to the top of the door panel needs to be removed. After the guide is removed then lift the door frame up and off its track. Then, loosen the bolt that secures the top pivot bolt, and employ an abrasive to pull it out of the hole in the top header of the door frame.

Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a top nylon replacement roller that has a 7/8-inch diameter wheel that rests on a steel base. It mounts at the top of bifold doors that are 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is spring-loaded and adjusts itself in the upper track to ensure smooth glide.

A bifold door can also scratch against the floor as it opens and closes. This can happen after adding carpet or other flooring materials which require that the doors be raised slightly to allow clearance. Removal of the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom and loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot pin usually enough to clear this issue.

A new set of top roller guides is an inexpensive 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 however, they are also available on the internet through a variety of sellers. You'll also require a squeeze-clamp and a small container of Elmer's wood glue, 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.