How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors have become stuck, they probably require a little attention. You may have to clean and lubricate them or adjust them. The problem could be caused by a loose bolt on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.
This kit contains all the hardware you require to restore your bi-fold wardrobe door system to its optimal performance.
Take the door off
Installing an internal set of bifold doors could seem like an involved and complicated task, but it's actually quite easy for DIYers with a bit of experience. The frame is not the issue however, getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. Bifold doors are complex pieces of machinery and, therefore, they might need some tweaking to function correctly. It could be as simple as tightening screws or as complicated as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.
Most of the time you can resolve these issues with a few simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You might notice that your bifold doors are sagging, scraping the floor or jumping out of track. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Follow these three easy steps and your bifold door will be back in track in no time.
One of the most frequent issues that internal bifold doors have to face is the tendency to slide out of alignment. This can be caused by loose screws or holes in the anchor/pivot pins, or simply a door that is not aligned. The majority times this can be fixed by making a few minor adjustments. If, however, your door doesn't move in any way, you might have to replace it.
You'll need to remove the door with the help of a screwdriver and possibly an plier pair to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver will be used to disengage any locking levers on the bottom bracket for pivoting and the pliers let you wiggle the pin out and off.
Once the top roller is removed, you can lift the door, swivel downward and remove it from its track and pivot brackets. It is usually a simple process, but you must be careful to not let the door hit the frame of the door. Then, you'll be able to cut off the edge of the door which is scraping the floor, and sand it down until smooth. Then, you can repaint or refinish it as required.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller guide is mounted on the top edge of the bifold door to assist in smooth operation. It is made to work with Kenna frames and will fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel, and plastic components. It is able to replace a damaged guide.
Remove any screws that hold the roller guide in place using the screwdriver. Use your hands to slowly pull it from the frame. This may require some effort, so let a friend help you to keep the door in place as you remove it.
After removing the guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish off the guide's foot with a razor to separate it from blank rod. This will make the guide foot much easier to remove and will prevent any damage. Be careful when doing this as the foot is extremely sharp and could potentially cut or snag your fingers.
You may need to apply some force to remove the guide, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After you have removed the old guide, remove any threads or epoxy left in the area it was fixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.
After removing bifold door repair , try out your replacement by placing it in its place and then applying a few turns of masking tape or a kind of guide tubing to keep it in its place. This will allow you to double examine the guide's spacing and alignment to ensure everything is set up properly. This is vital to avoid any issues in the future regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or simply eyeball it.
If the guide is placed properly and is functioning according to its intended function then the final step is to reinstall the door in its place. Be aware that any screws or pins that you loosened or removed must be replaced and tightened appropriately when you're finished.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors can be a beautiful addition to any home, but they often need to be tweaked or adjusted to ensure they are in good working order. Some issues can be addressed with the doors still in place. Others will require the doors be removed. This guide will teach you how to remove the bifold internal door pins, rollers, and pivots.
The first step is to gather your tools. Making sure you have everything in place before time can make it easier later in the process. You'll need a screwdriver pliers and maybe a wrench. A basic set of tools can be bought at a reasonable price from your local hardware store. Keep some wood glue on hand. This is useful if you need to glue the rollers into their place.
Once you've got your tools, begin by opening the bifold doors and then loosening the top track bracket using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose, the door should be free to slide off the top track completely. It might take a bit of jiggling but it should be able to pop right off the track.
The pivot on the bottom of the frame will need to be removed. You'll want to do this from the outside of your home Be sure to close any internal doors that are open. This will be much simpler than working from inside. If the bottom track still appears good it is possible to lift the door up and take off the track.
If the track is damaged, you'll have to replace it. Hardware stores sell replacement tracks for bifold doors, as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is badly damaged, you may have to replace it completely.
Now that your track is repaired or replaced it is time to check the doors for the proper operation. Make sure they're able to move smoothly in and out of 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 by tightening or loosening the bottom setscrew.
Replace the Roller
If they are installed properly they can be used to protect pantries, laundry nooks and closets. They consist of two door panels that are hinged together and slide open on a track that sits in the top of the frame. Over time the guides for the rollers can wear out and cause the doors to slide. Replacing the roller guide requires only a few minutes and basic tools.
The first step is removing the guide roller from your door panel. This involves taking off the pivot bolt at the bottom and loosening the screw that holds the guide at its top. Once the guide is removed then lift the door frame up and off its track. Next, loosen the nut that holds the top pivot bolt, and employ the wrench to pull it out of the hole in the top header of the door frame.
Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a replacement top nylon roller with a 7/8-inch wheel 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 gliding.
Another issue that is common to a bifold door is that it scrapes against the floor when it is closed or opened. This is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be elevated to allow clearance. This issue can be solved by removing the bottom pivot adjustment screws, 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 may make bifold doors difficult to operate. They are typically found at your local hardware shop in the door section. However they can also be purchased online from various suppliers. In addition to a new top roller guide, you will need a small container of Elmer's wood glue which is sold in large box stores and a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the repair area tightly closed after glue is inserted and allowed to dry.