How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors are sticking it's likely they need some maintenance. They could need to be cleaned and lubricated or adjusted. The problem may be caused by a loose screw on the top pivot or the top guide roller.
This kit includes everything you need to restore your bi-fold wardrobe door to its best performance.
Take the door off
Installing a set of internal bifold doors may appear to be a complicated and difficult project but it's actually easy for DIYers with a bit of experience. The frame isn't the problem, but getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. Bifold doors are complex pieces of machinery and, as such, they might need some 'tuning up' to keep working 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 resolve these issues by making just a few minor adjustments, without having to take out the doors. Check This Out may find that your bifold doors are sagging, scraping the floor or jumping out of track. Getting these issues under control isn't difficult. With three easy steps the bifold doors will 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 to loose screws or holes in the anchor/pivot pins or simply a door that isn't aligned properly. In the majority of instances, you can fix this issue with a few simple adjustments, but if the door isn't moving, it may need to be removed and replaced.
You'll need to open the door with a screwdriver, and possibly pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver will be used to disengage any locking levers that are on the bottom bracket of the pivot and the pliers will allow you to pull the pin and take it off.
Once the top roller is free, you should be able to raise the door and swivel it downwards in order to lift it off of its track and pivot brackets. This is usually quite straightforward however, be sure not to let the door hit against the frame of the door. Then, you'll be able to saw off the edge of the door that is scratching the floor, and then sand it until it is smooth. Then, you can repaint or replace it with a new finish as needed.
Remove the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller guide is mounted on the top of a bifold door to help with smooth operation. It is specifically designed for Kenna frames, and can fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is made of nylon, steel and plastic components. It will replace an old guide.
Remove any screws holding the guide to the roller by using the screwdriver. Then, use your hands to lift it out of the frame. It might require some effort to lift the door, so you may need someone else to assist you.
After removing the guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish on the guide's foot by using a razor to cut it from blank rod. This will make it easier to take off and prevent damage to the new guide foot. Be careful when doing this as the foot is extremely sharp and could potentially cause injury to your fingers or cut them.
You will probably have to use a bit of force to get the guide off, but be cautious not to break or chip the foot. After you've removed the guide, you must remove any remaining epoxy or threads in the area where it was anchored. This will help prevent any future problems with the guide.
After removing the guide, you can test the replacement by placing it in its permanent position. Apply a few rotations with masking tape or guide tubing in order to secure it in its place. This allows you to double-check the alignment of your guide and spacing to make sure everything is properly set up. If you're eyeballing it or using the always accurate CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System This step is crucial to avoid any problems in the future.
The final step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the right position and functions just as it should, you're able to proceed. Remember that any screws or pins you removed or loosened should be replaced and tightened appropriately when you're finished.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors make a gorgeous addition to any home but often they require a bit of tweaking or adjustment to stay in great shape. While some of the less critical issues can be resolved with the doors still in place, others will require removal. This guide will walk you through the steps to remove the internal bifold door pivots, pins and rollers so you can make your doors slide like new.
Gathering your tools is the first step. Getting everything together prior to time will save you some frustration later during the construction. You'll need a screwdriver pliers and perhaps a wrench. A basic set of tools can be purchased at a reasonable price from your local hardware store. It's important to have some wood glue in your kit. This will be useful when you need to glue the rollers into their place.
After gathering your tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose, you should be able to lift the door off the top track. It might take a small amount of jiggling, but it should be able to pop right off the track.
Next, you'll need to remove the bottom pivot from the frame. Close all interior doors before beginning. This will be a lot easier than trying to work from inside. If the track on the bottom is in good shape you'll be able to just lift up the door and take off the track.
If the track is damaged, then you'll need to replace it. You can buy tracks that are suitable for swinging and bifold closet doors at your local hardware store. If the track is badly damaged then you may need to replace it completely.
After your track has been repaired or replaced it is time to test the doors for their proper operation. Check that they're easily able to move from position to position. You'll also want to check that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they're not, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom screwscrew until the edge of the door is perfectly aligned with the frame.
Replace the Roller
Bifold doors are a great way to enclose closets, laundry nooks and pantries, but only when they function properly. Bifold doors are made up of two panels that are hinged and slide on tracks at the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guides can wear out and cause the doors to bow. Replacing the guide roller takes only a few minutes, and the most basic tools.
The first step is to remove the guide for your roller from the door panel. This requires taking off the pivot bolt at the bottom and loosening the screw that holds the guide on its top. After removing the guide, pull the panel from the track. Then with a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the frame's header by loosening the nut.
A top nylon replacement guide that has a 7/8 inch diameter wheel and a steel base is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It mounts on the top of the bifold door, which is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track for smooth gliding.
A bifold door may also scratch the floor as it opens and closes. This is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised for proper clearance. The removal of the bottom pivot adjustment screw and loosening the top track's mounting screws and moving the anchor/pivot pin is typically enough to eliminate this issue.
A new set of roller guides could be a low-cost solution to the problem of your bifold doors becoming difficult to operate. They're usually available at the hardware store near you in the door section but they're also accessible on the internet through a variety of vendors. You will also need a squeeze-clamp and a small container Elmer's wood adhesive, which is available in large box stores. The clamp is used to keep the repair area sealed after the glue has been placed in and dried.