How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are squeaking, they probably require a little attention. You may need to clean or lubricate them, or even adjust them. The issue could be caused by an unfastened bolt on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.

This kit includes everything you need to restore your bi-fold door repair wardrobe door to its best performance.

Take the door off

Installing an internal set of bifold doors could appear to be a complicated and difficult task but it's actually easy for DIYers with a bit of experience. The frame isn't the problem however getting the doors to bi fold door repair and close smoothly is. Bifold doors are intricate pieces of machinery and, therefore they may require some tuning up to function correctly. It could be as easy as tightening a screw or as complicated as removing the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

It is usually possible to fix these issues with just a few minor adjustments, without the need to take off the doors. It is possible that your bifold doors are sliding, scraping the floor or jumping out of track. It's easy to fix these problems. Follow these three easy steps and your bifold door should be back on the right direction in no time.

The most frequent issue that internal bifolding doors face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This can be caused by loose screws, holes in the anchor pins, or simply a door that isn't aligned properly. The majority of the time, this can be corrected by making a few minor adjustments. However, if your door doesn't move at all, you may need to replace it.

To take the door off you'll need an screwdriver and perhaps a pair of pliers (to aid in loosening any pins that are tight to pivot). The screwdriver can be used to release any locking levers that are on the bottom pivot bracket and the pliers will let you wiggle the pin out and off.

Once the top roller is loose, you should be able to lift the door and swivel it downwards, allowing you to take it out of its track and pivot brackets. It's usually a straightforward process, but you must be cautious not to let the door strike the door frame. Then, you can sand down the edge of the door to make it smooth. Then paint or refinish the door if necessary.

Take off the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guide is mounted on the top of the bifold door to assist in smooth operation. It is designed to be used with Kenna frames and can be fitted to the door's panel from 1 inch to 1/8 inch thick. It is made of steel, nylon and plastic components and can replace a worn-out or damaged guide.

Remove any screws holding the roller guide in place with the screwdriver. Then, carefully use your hands to remove it of the frame. It may take some effort, so you should have someone else help you keep the door in place as you take it off.

After the guide has been removed, carefully cut through the remaining finish over the foot of the new guide using the help of a razor blade to cut it off from the rod blank. This will make it easier to take off and ensure that there is no damage to the new guide foot. Be cautious while doing this as the foot is very sharp and could potentially cause injury to your fingers or cut them.

It is possible to use some force to remove the guide, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After removing the old guide, remove any epoxy or threads left in the area where it was anchored. This will help avoid future problems with the guide.

After removing the guide, check the new one by putting it in its permanent location. Apply a few rotations with masking tape or guide tubing to hold it in position. This will allow you to check the guide alignment and spacing to ensure that everything is in place. This step is crucial to avoid future problems regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or simply eyeball it.

If the guide is positioned properly and functions as it should, the last step is to put the door back in its place. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins that you removed or loosened.

Take the Bottom Pivot off.

Bifold doors are a beautiful addition to any home, but sometimes they need a little adjustment or tweaking to stay in good shape. Certain issues can be solved by keeping the doors in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will teach you how to remove the internal bifold door pins, rollers and pivots.

The first step is to gather your tools. You will save yourself some frustration if you collect all the tools you need in advance. You'll require a screwdriver, pliers and perhaps a wrench. You can purchase an assortment of basic tools at your local hardware store for a reasonable price. Keep a supply of wood glue in the back of your hand. This is useful if you need to glue the rollers into the right place.

After assembling your tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once this is loose, the door should be free to slide off the top track completely. It may take some jiggling to get it there, but it should come off the track.

The pivot on the bottom of the frame needs to be removed. Close all doors in the interior before beginning. This will make it much easier to do rather than working inside. If the track at the bottom is still in good condition, you'll be able to simply lift the door and then remove the track.

You'll need to replace the track if it is damaged. Hardware stores sell replacement tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is severely damaged, you may have to replace it completely.

Once your track is repaired or replaced, you'll need to test the doors to ensure the proper operation. Make sure that they are able to move smoothly from position to 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 have to adjust the top pivot bracket by tightening or loosening the bottom set screw.

Replace the Roller

When they are properly installed the bifold doors can easily protect laundry nooks, pantries and closets. They are made up of two panels that hinge together and slide open on tracks that are positioned in the top of the frame. Over time the roller guides may wear out and cause the doors to slide. The guide roller can be replaced in just a few minutes using a few tools.

The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. This requires removing the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide to its top. After taking off the guide, lift the panel from the track. Next, loosen the nut that holds the top pivot bolt, and employ the wrench to remove it from the hole in the top header of the door frame.

A top nylon replacement guide with a 7/8 " diameter wheel and a steel base is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It is mounted on the top of bifold doors that are 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is spring-loaded and adjusts automatically in the upper track to ensure smooth glide.

A bifold door may also scratch against the floor as it closes and opens. This can happen after adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors be slightly raised to allow clearance. Removing the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom and loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot pin is typically enough to resolve this issue.

A new set of top roller guides is a cheap solution to a problem that could make bifold doors difficult to operate. They are usually available at your local hardware store in the door section but they're also available on the internet from a variety of suppliers. In addition to a brand-new top roller guide, you will require a small amount of Elmer's wood glue that is sold in the big box stores, as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp helps to hold the repair bifold door top pivot area tightly closed after glue is inserted, and allowed to dry.