How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your repairing bifold doors door is squeaking, it's likely that they 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 the top roller guide.

This kit includes all the hardware required to bring your bi fold door repairs-fold closet door [Redirect-302] system to optimal performance.

Remove the Door

It might seem difficult and challenging to put in the bifold internal doors, but for those who are DIYers with some experience, it's actually a breeze. The frame isn't the problem however, getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. Bifold doors are complex pieces of machinery and, therefore, they might need some 'tuning up' to keep working correctly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complicated as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.

You can usually fix these issues by making some minor adjustments without having to take out the doors. You might notice that your bifold doors are sliding, scraping the floor or slipping off track. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Follow these three easy steps and your bifold door will be back on track in short time.

The most frequent issue that internal bifolding doors face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This can be due to loose screws, holes in the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. In most cases, you can correct this by making a few simple adjustments, but if your door isn't moving, it could be necessary to have it removed and replaced.

You'll need to open the door using an screwdriver, and perhaps pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver is used to break any locking levers on the bottom bracket for pivoting, and the pliers will let you wiggle the pin and take it off.

After the top roller has been removed, you can lift the door, swivel downward and remove it from its pivot brackets and track. It's usually a straightforward process, but you must be cautious not to let the door hit the frame of the door. Then, you can sand down the edge of the door to smooth it. You can then paint or refinish the door as needed.

Take off the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guide is mounted on the top edge of bifold doors to aid with smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and can fit the door's panel from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of steel, nylon and plastic components and will replace bifold doors a damaged or worn-out guide.

Take out any screws that are holding the roller guide in place by using a screwdriver. Use your hands to carefully pull it from the frame. It may take some effort, so have a friend help you to keep the door in place as you remove it.

After removing the old guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish off the foot of the guide using a razor to separate it from blank rod. This will make the guide foot easier to remove and prevent any damage. Be cautious while doing this as the foot is extremely sharp and could cut or nick your fingers.

You may have to use a bit of force to get the guide off, but be cautious not to chip or break the foot. After you have removed the guide from the rod blank, be sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy that remain in the place the guide was attached. This will help prevent any future problems with the guide.

After removing the guide, try out the new guide by placing it in its permanent location and then applying a few rotations of masking tape or some form of guide tubing to secure it in the correct position. This allows you to check the alignment of your guide and spacing to ensure that everything is set up correctly. If you're eyeballing it or using the dependable CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System it is essential to prevent any issues in the future.

If the guide is placed correctly and functioning as it should the next step will be to put the door back in place. Remember that any screws or pins were removed or loosening should be replaced and tightened correctly after you've finished.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors can be a stunning feature for a home, but they sometimes require to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they remain in good working order. While some of the less critical issues can be fixed by keeping the doors in place, others will require them to be removed. This guide will show you how to remove the bifold internal door pins, rollers and pivots.

The first step is to gather your tools. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration by assembling all your tools in advance. You'll also need pliers and a screwdriver. You can pick up a basic set of tools at your local hardware store at a reasonable cost. It's also a good idea to keep some wood glue handy. This will come in handy if you have to glue one of the rollers back in their original position.

After gathering your tools then open the bifold doors 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 come right off the track.

The next step is to remove the bottom pivot from the frame. Close all doors to the interior prior to starting. This will make it simpler rather than working on the inside. If the track at the bottom appears good it is possible to lift the door and take off the track.

You'll have to replace the track if it is damaged. Hardware stores offer replacement tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is severely damaged, you may need to replace it completely.

You'll now need to test your doors to ensure proper function. Make sure that they are able to move smoothly from position to position. Also, you should ensure that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they aren't, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket by tightening or loosening the bottom setscrew.

Replace the Roller

If they are installed correctly the bifold doors can easily enclose pantries, laundry nooks and closets. The bifold doors consist of two panels that are hinged and slide on tracks at the top of the frame. Over time the guides for the rollers can wear out and cause the doors to bow. The roller guide can be replaced in a matter of minutes with the use of basic tools.

The first step is removing the roller guide from your door panel. The bottom pivot bolt must be removed, and the screw holding the guide to the top of the door panel should be loosened. After removal of the guide, pull 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 nut.

A top nylon replacement guide with a 7/8 inch diameter wheel and a base made of steel is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It is mounted at the top of bifold doors which are 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is spring-loaded and adjusts itself in the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.

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

A new set of top roller guides is a cheap solution to a problem that may 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 suppliers. Along with a brand new top roller guide, you will need a small container of Elmer's wood glue, which is available in big box stores as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp helps to hold the repair area tightly after the glue has been inserted and allowed to dry.