How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are sticking it's likely they need some maintenance. You may have to clean, lubricate or adjust them. The issue could be caused by loose bolts on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.

This kit contains all the hardware required to restore your bi-fold closet door system to its best performance.

Remove the Door

Installing an internal set of bifold doors could seem like a complex and difficult project however, it's actually straightforward for a DIYer with a few years of experience. The frame's placement isn't a problem The trick is getting the doors to fold and close smoothly and accurately. As bifold doors are complex machines, they could require some tuning to keep functioning properly. This could be as easy as tightening a screw or as complex as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.

You can usually fix these issues with some minor adjustments without having to take out the doors. It is possible that your bifold doors are sagging, scraping the floor or bouncing off the track. It's easy to fix these problems. Follow three easy steps and your bifold doors will be back on line in the shortest amount of time.

The most common problem that internal bifolding doors face is that they slide out of alignment. This could 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 at all it could be necessary to have it removed and replaced.

To take the door off, you'll need a screwdriver and possibly two pliers (to help loosen any pins on the pivot that are stuck). The screwdriver will be used to release any locking levers on the bottom bracket of the pivot and the pliers will allow you to pull the pin to release it and then take it off.

After the top roller is removed After that, you can lift the door, turn it down and then remove it from its track and pivot brackets. It's usually a simple procedure, but be careful to not let the door strike the frame of the door. You should then be able to saw off the edge of the door which is scraping the floor, and then sand it until it's smooth. 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 specifically designed specifically for 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 and will replace a worn-out or damaged guide.

Take out any screws that are holding the roller guide in place using the screwdriver. Use your hands to carefully pull it from the frame. It may require some effort to lift the door, so you may need a friend to help you.

After removing the old guide, carefully cut off the remaining finishing on the guide's foot with 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 when doing this because the foot is extremely sharp and can cause injury to your fingers or cut them.

You may need to apply some force to remove the guide, but you must be careful not to break or chip the foot. After you've separated the guide from the rod blank, be sure to get rid of all the threads and epoxy that remain in the place where it was affixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.

After you have removed the previous guide, test your replacement by placing it at its new location. Make a few turns using masking tape or guide tubing in order to ensure it stays in place. This will let you double check the guide spacing and alignment to make sure that everything is properly set up. This step is crucial to avoid any issues in the future regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System, or just eyeball it.

If the guide is placed correctly and functioning in the way it should then the final step is to put the door back in its place. Remember that any screws or pins you removed or loosened must be replaced and tightened appropriately when you're done.

Take the Bottom Pivot off.

Bifold doors are a stunning feature for any home, but often they require a bit of adjustment or tweaking to stay in great shape. While some of the less critical problems can be solved by keeping the doors in place, others will require them to be removed. This guide will guide you through the steps to remove internal bifold door pivots, pins and rollers so you can get your doors sliding like new.

The first step is to gather your tools. You'll avoid frustration if you gather all of your tools beforehand. You'll need a screwdriver pliers and maybe a wrench. A set of basic tools can be purchased at a reasonable price at your local hardware store. Also, keep bi fold door repair in the back of your hand. This is helpful if you need to fix the rollers into their place.

After assembling your tools and tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose the door should be able to slide off the top track completely. It might take a bit of shaking 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 prior to starting. This will make it easier than trying to work inside. If the track at the bottom looks good it is possible to raise the door to take off the track.

You'll need to replace the track if it's damaged. You can buy new tracks for bifold doors and swinging closet doors from a local hardware store. If the track is severely damaged, you may have to replace it entirely.

You'll now need to test your doors to ensure proper function. Make sure they're easily able to move 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 have to adjust 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 correctly the bifold doors can easily cover laundry nooks, pantries and closets. They comprise two door panels that are hinged together and slide open on tracks that are positioned in the frame's top. Over time the roller guide bearings can wear out, causing the doors to sag and rub against the floor. Replacing the guide roller takes only a few minutes and basic tools.

The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. The pivot bolt at the bottom must be removed and the screw that holds the guide to the top of the door panel should be loosened. After the guide is removed, lift the door panel up and away from its track. Then, loosen the bolt 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.

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 mounts on the top edge of a bifold door that is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track for smooth sliding.

Another issue with a bifold door is that it scrapes against the floor when it closes or opens. This is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised for proper clearance. Removing the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom, 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 an inexpensive solution to a problem that may make bifold doors difficult to operate. You can usually find them at the hardware store near you in the door section, but they're also accessible online from a number of suppliers. You will also need a squeeze-clamp and a small container Elmer's wood adhesive, that is sold in large box stores. The clamp is used to keep the repair area tightly after the glue has been inserted and allowed to dry.
bi fold door repair