How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold doors are squeaking and squeaking, they may require some maintenance. You may need to clean, lubricate or adjust them. The issue could be caused by an unfastened bolt at the top pivot or by the top guide roller.
This kit contains all the hardware required to return your bi-fold closet door system to its best performance.
Remove the Door
Installing a set of internal bifold doors may appear to be a complicated and complicated task but it's actually straightforward for a DIYer with a bit of experience. Getting the frame into position isn't a problem but the trick is getting the doors to fold and close smoothly and precisely. Since bifold doors are complicated machines, they may need some 'tuning' to continue working properly. It could be as easy as tightening the screw, or as intricate as taking off and replacing the door's pivot pin or roller.
You can usually fix these issues by making just a few minor adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sliding and scraping the floor or bouncing off the track. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Follow three easy steps and your bifold door will be back on track in the shortest amount of time.
One of the most common problems that internal bifold doors face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This can be due to loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or an unaligned bifold door. In the majority of cases, you can correct this issue with a few simple adjustments, but if your door isn't moving at all, it might need to be removed and replaced.
You'll need to remove the door using an screwdriver, and perhaps pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver is used to disengage the locking levers on the bottom bracket for pivots. The pliers are used to take off the pin.
After the top roller has become loose it should be possible to raise the door and swivel it downward and allow you to pull it off its pivot brackets and track. This is typically quite easy, but be careful not to let the door crash against the door frame. Then, you'll be able 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.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller is mounted on the top of the bifolding door to ensure smooth operation. It is designed specifically for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made from nylon, steel, and plastic components. It will replace an old guide.
To begin to remove the roller guide, remove any screws holding it in place by using a screwdriver and a bit to loosen it. Then, use your hands to pull it out of the frame. This might take some effort, so you should have an assistant help you keep the door in place while you take it off.
Once the old guide is removed, carefully cut the remaining finish over the foot of the new guide using a sharp blade to separate it from the rod blank. This will make the guide's foot much easier to remove and also prevent any damage. Be careful when doing this as the foot is extremely sharp and could potentially cause injury to your fingers or cut them.
It is possible to use some force to remove the guide, but you must be careful not to chip or break the foot. After you have removed the guide that was previously attached, take out any remaining epoxy or threads in the area where it was fixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.
After you have removed the guide, test out your new guide by putting it in its new location and then applying a few turns of masking tape or another form of guide tubing to secure it in its place. This will allow you to double verify the guide's spacing and alignment to make sure everything is set up properly. This is essential to avoid future problems, whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or eyeball it.
If the guide is positioned correctly and functioning in the way it should the next step will be to put the door back in place. Be aware that any screws or pins you removed or loosened must be replaced and tightened properly after you've finished.
Take the Bottom Pivot off.
Bifold doors can be a stunning addition to a home, but they may require tweaking or adjusted to keep them in good condition. Some issues can be addressed with the doors in place. Others will require the doors be removed. This guide will show you how to remove the bifold internal door pins, rollers and pivots.
Gathering your tools is the first step. Making sure you have everything in place before time can make it easier later on in the project. You'll also require a screwdriver and pliers. You can buy an assortment of basic tools at your local hardware store for a reasonable cost. It's recommended to have some wood glue handy. This can be useful if you have to glue any rollers back into their original position.
Once you've got your tools, start by opening the bifold doors, and then loosening the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose, the door should be capable of sliding off the top track completely. It may take a bit of jiggling but it should come right off the track.
The pivot at the bottom of the frame will need to be removed. This should be done from the outside of the house Be sure to close any interior doors that are open. This will make it much easier rather than working from the inside. If the track on the bottom looks good it is possible to raise the door to take off the track.
If the track is damaged, then you'll need to replace it. You can purchase replacement tracks for both swinging and bifold closet doors at your local hardware store. If the track is badly damaged, then you might need to replace it completely.
You'll now need to check your doors for the proper operation. Verify that the doors move into and out of their positions easily. You should also ensure that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If bifold door repairs 're not, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom setscrew until the door's edge is perfectly aligned with the frame.
Replace the Roller
When they are properly installed the bifold doors can easily cover pantries, laundry rooms and closets. They comprise two door panels that are hinged and open using tracks that are positioned in the frame's top. Over time the roller guides may wear out and cause the doors to slide. The roller guide can be replaced in a matter of minutes with basic tools.
The first step is removing the guide for your 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 must be loosen. After removal of the guide, lift the panel from the 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.
Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a replacement top nylon roller with a 7/8-inch diameter wheel on a steel base. It mounts on the top edge of the bifold door, which is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is spring-loaded to adjust in the upper track for smooth sliding.
Another issue that is common to bifold doors is that it scrapes the floor when it closes or opens. This can happen after installing carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised to ensure proper clearance. This issue can be resolved by taking off the screws that adjust the bottom pivot and loosening the top track mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot.
A new set of top roller guides is a low-cost solution to a problem that may make your bifold doors difficult to operate. They are usually available at the local hardware store in the door section. However they can be ordered online from several vendors. 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 is used to keep the repair area tightly closed after glue is inserted and allowed to dry.
