How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold door is sticking then it's likely that they need some maintenance. It is possible that you need to clean or lubricate them, or even adjust them. The problem could be caused by a loose bolt at the top pivot or by the top guide roller.

This kit contains all the hardware needed to bring your bi fold repairs-fold closet door system to its best performance.

Take the door off

Installing an interior set of bifold doors could seem like an involved and difficult project, but it's actually quite simple for anyone with a little experience. The frame's placement isn't a major issue but the trick is getting the doors to fold and close easily and accurately. Since bifold doors are complicated machines, they may need some 'tuning' to continue functioning properly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complex as removing the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

The majority of the time, you can solve these issues with a couple of simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You might find that your doors are sagging, scratching the floor, or they're bouncing off their track. It's simple to fix these problems. Follow these three easy steps and your bifold doors will be back on track in short time.

The most frequent issue that internal bifolding doors encounter is the sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots, or a misaligned bifold door. The majority times it can be fixed with a few simple adjustments. If, however, your door isn't moving in any way, you might require replacing it.

You'll need to remove the door with a screwdriver, and possibly pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are too tight. The screwdriver is used to disengage the locking levers at the bottom pivot bracket. The pliers are used for removing the pin.

Once the top roller is loose it should be possible to raise the door and swivel it down in order to lift it off its track and pivot brackets. This is usually quite straightforward however, be sure not to let the door crash against the door frame. You'll then be able to cut off the edge of the door which is scratching the floor, and then sand it until it is smooth. Then paint or refinish the door as needed.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller is mounted on top of bifolding doors to facilitate smooth operation. It is designed for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is constructed of steel, nylon, and plastic components. It will replace the damaged guide.

Remove any screws that hold the roller guide in place by using the screwdriver. Make use of your hands to gently lift it off the frame. It may take some effort, so let an assistant help you keep the door in place while you take it off.

After removing the old guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish on the foot of the guide using a razor to separate it from blank rod. This will make it easier to remove and ensure that there is no damage to the new guide foot. Be careful when doing this, as the guide foot is extremely sharp and can cut or snag your fingers.

It is likely that you will need to use a bit of force to get the guide off, but be careful not to chip or break the foot. After you have removed the guide that was previously attached, take out any threads or epoxy left in the place where it was anchored. This will help avoid any future issues with the guide.

After removing the guide, test out your replacement by placing it in its new location and then applying a few rotations of masking tape or another form of guide tubing to secure it in the correct position. This will allow you double check the guide spacing and alignment to ensure everything is set up properly. If you're eyeballing it or using the always accurate 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 in the correct way, then you can proceed. Make sure to tighten and replace any screws or pins that you removed or loosen.

Take the Bottom Pivot off.

Bifold doors are a beautiful addition to any home, but sometimes they require some tweaking or adjustment to remain in good shape. While some of the more straightforward issues can be fixed with the doors still in place, other issues require removal. This guide will guide you through how to remove internal bifold door pivots, pins and rollers to get your doors sliding like new again.

Gathering your tools is the first step. Putting everything together prior to time will save you some frustration later during the construction. You'll also need pliers and a screwdriver. A set of basic tools can be purchased at a reasonable cost at your local hardware store. Keep some wood glue in the back of your hand. This will be useful in the event that you have to glue the rollers into their place.

After putting together your tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket by using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose the door should be free to slide off the top track completely. It may take some jiggling but it should eventually pop off the track.

Next, you'll need to remove the pivot at the bottom from the frame. Close all interior doors before you begin. This will be a lot easier than trying to work from the inside. If the track at the bottom looks good, you can simply lift the door up and take off the track.

If the track is damaged, 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 badly damaged, you may have to replace it completely.

After your track has been repaired or replaced it is time to test the doors for the proper operation. Make sure that they are able to move smoothly in and out of position. Also, you should ensure that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they aren't, then you'll need to readjust 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 they can be used to cover laundry nooks, pantries 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 sag and rub against the floor. Replacing the roller guide takes only a few minutes and the most basic tools.

The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. This involves removing the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide to its top. After removal of the guide, lift the panel from the track. Then, using a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the frame's header by loosening the nut.

Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a top nylon replacement roller with a 7/8-inch wheel mounted on a base made of steel. It is mounted at the top edge of bifold door glass replacement doors that are 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It comes spring-loaded and adjusts automatically in the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.

Another common problem with a bifold door is that it scrapes the floor when it is closed or opened. This can happen after installing carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised for proper clearance. This issue can be solved by removing the repairing bottom of bifold door pivot adjustment screws by loosening the top track mounting screws, and moving anchor/pivot.

A new set of top roller guides is a low-cost solution to a problem that can make your bifold doors difficult to operate. They are typically available at the local hardware store in the door section. However they can also be purchased online from several suppliers. Along with a brand new top guide for rollers, you'll require a small bottle of Elmer's wood glue, which is sold in the big box stores, as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp assists in keeping the repair bifold door top pivot area in place after the glue has been inserted and allowed to dry.