How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors are squeaking, they probably require some maintenance. You may have to clean or lubricate them, or even adjust them. The problem may be caused by a loose screw on the top pivot or the top roller guide.
This kit contains all the hardware needed to return your bi-fold closet door to its best performance.
Remove the Door
Installing an internal set of bifold doors could appear to be a complicated and difficult project but it's actually simple for anyone with a little experience. Getting the frame into position isn't a problem; the tricky part is getting the doors to fold and close easily and accurately. Bifold doors are a complex piece of machinery and, as such they could require some tuning up to ensure that they function properly. This might be something as simple as tightening a screw or as complex as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.
The majority of the time you can fix these issues by making a few basic adjustments without removing the doors. You might notice that your bifold doors are sagging or scraping the floor, or jumping out of track. It's simple to fix these problems. Follow three easy steps and your bifold door will be back on the right direction in no time.
One of the most common problems that bifold doors with internals encounter is sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. In most instances, you can fix this issue with a few simple adjustments, but if your door isn't moving at all, it could be necessary to have it removed and replaced.
To open the door, you'll need an screwdriver and perhaps pliers (to help loosen any pins on the pivot that are stuck). The screwdriver can be used to loosen the locking levers located on the bottom of the pivot bracket. The pliers are used to take off the pin.
After the top roller has been removed After that, you can lift the door, turn it down 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 strike the frame of the door. Then you can sand the edge of the door to make it smooth. You can then paint or refinish the door as needed.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller guide mounts on the top of bifold doors to aid with smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and can fit a door panel 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made from nylon, steel and plastic components and will replace a worn-out or damaged guide.
To begin to remove the roller guide, remove any screws that are holding it in place. Do this using a screwdriver and a bit to loosen it. Use your hands to carefully remove it from the frame. It may take some effort, so have an assistant help you keep the door in place while you take it off.
After removing the old guide, carefully cut the remaining finish off the foot of the guide using a razor to separate it from blank rod. This will make it easier to remove and will ensure that there is no damage to the new guide foot. Be cautious while doing this, as the guide foot is very sharp and can cut or nick your fingers.
It is likely that you will need to use a bit of force to get the guide off, but be cautious not to break or chip the foot. Once you have separated the guide from the rod blank, be sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy that remain where it was attached. This will help prevent any future problems with the guide.
After you have removed the guide, try out the new guide by placing it in its new location and applying a few rotations of masking tape or a form of guide tubing to hold it in place. This allows you to double-check the guide alignment and spacing to ensure that everything is in place. It doesn't matter if you're looking at it from a distance 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 proper position and functioning as it should, then you're able to proceed. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins you removed or loosen.
Take the Bottom Pivot off.
Bifold doors can be an attractive addition to any home, but they may require tweaking or adjusted to ensure they are in good shape. Certain issues can be solved with the doors in place. Others will require the doors be removed. This guide will walk you through how to remove internal bifold pivots for doors and rollers, as well as pins and pins, to make your doors slide like new again.
like this is to gather your tools. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration if you gather all your tools in advance. 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. Also, keep some wood glue on hand. This can be very useful in the event that you need to glue any rollers back into place.
Once you've collected your tools, start by opening the bifold doors, and then loosening the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once it's loose the door should be capable of sliding off the top track completely. It might take a little jiggling to get it there, but it should come off the track.
The pivot on the bottom of the frame needs to be removed. This should be done from the outside of the house Be sure to close any interior doors that you are able to open. This will be much easier than trying to work from the inside. If the track on the bottom looks good, you can simply lift the door up and remove the track.
You'll have to replace the track if damaged. You can get tracks that are suitable for bifold doors and swinging closet doors from a local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged then you may need to replace it completely.
You'll need to test your doors to ensure 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 it is closed. If they're not, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket while tightening or loosening the bottom setscrew.
Replace the Roller
Bifold doors can be used to neatly cover closets as well as laundry nooks and pantries, but only if they function properly. Bifold doors are made up of two panels that are hinged and slide on an incline at the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guide bearings may wear out, causing the doors to sag and scrape against the floor. The guide roller can be replaced in just a few minutes with the use of basic tools.
The first step is to take the guide for the roller from the door panel. The bottom pivot bolt must be removed and the screw that connects the guide to the top of the door panel needs to be removed. After removal of the guide, pull the panel off the track. Then, using a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the header of the frame by loosening the bolt.
Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a top nylon replacement roller with a 7/8-inch wheel that rests on a steel base. It mounts on the top of bifold doors that range from 1 to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track for smooth sliding.
A bifold door may also scrape against the floor as it opens and closes. This can occur after adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised to ensure proper clearance. Removal of the bottom pivot adjustment screw and loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot pin typically enough to eliminate this issue.
A new set of top roller guides is a low-cost 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, but they're also available on the internet from a variety of sellers. Along with a brand new top roller guide, you will require a small bottle of Elmer's wood glue that 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.