How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold door replacement door is squeaking, it's likely that they need some maintenance. It is possible that you need to clean, lubricate or adjust them. The problem may be caused by a loose screw on the top pivot or by the top guide roller.

This kit comes with all the hardware required to return your bi-fold closet door system to its best performance.

Remove the Door

Installing an internal set of bifold doors could seem like an involved and complicated project but it's actually easy for DIYers with a few years of experience. Getting the frame into position isn't the problem but the trick is getting the doors to fold and close smoothly and accurately. Because bifold door roller replacement doors are intricate machines, they could require some 'tuning' to continue functioning properly. It could be as easy as tightening a screw or as complicated as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.

Most of the time you can fix these issues with a few simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may notice that your doors are sliding or scratching the floor, or they are bouncing off of their track. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Just follow three simple steps and your bifold door will be back in line in the shortest amount of time.

The most common problem that bifolding doors with internal hinges face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This could be due loose screws, holes in the anchor/pivots or a misaligned bifold door. The majority of the time it can be fixed by making a few minor adjustments. However, if your door isn't moving in any way, you might require replacing it.

You'll need to open the door using a screwdriver, and possibly a pair pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver is used to break any locking levers that are on the bottom pivot bracket and the pliers will allow you to wiggle the pin out and off.

After the top roller is removed Once the top roller is removed, you can raise the door, swivel downward and remove it from its track and pivot brackets. This is typically quite easy however, be sure not to let the door slam against the door frame. You'll then be able cut off the edge of the door that is scraping the floor, and sand it down until it's smooth. You can then paint or refinish the door if necessary.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guides the mount on the top of the bifolding door to aid in smooth operation. It is specifically designed for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is made of steel, nylon, and plastic components. It can replace an old guide.

Remove any screws that hold the guide to the roller by using a screwdriver. Then, carefully use your hands to pull it out of the frame. This might take some effort, so you should have someone else help you keep the door in place while you remove it.

After removing the guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish off the guide's foot with a razor to separate it from the blank rod. This will make it easier to remove and protect the new guide foot. The foot is very sharp, and it can cut or snag fingers.

You may have to use some force to remove the guide, but take care not to chip or break the foot. Once you have separated the guide from the rod blank, make sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy that remain in the place where it was attached. This will help avoid future problems with the guide.

After you have removed the guide, test out your new guide by putting it in its place and then applying a few turns of masking tape or another type of guide tubing to keep it in place. This allows you to double check the alignment of the guide and spacing to make sure everything is set up correctly. Whether you're eye-balling it or using the always accurate CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System it is essential to avoid any problems in the future.

If the guide is positioned properly and functions according to its intended function the next step is to reinstall the door in its place. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins you removed or loosen.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors are a beautiful feature for any home, but sometimes they need a little tweaking or adjustment to remain in good shape. Some issues can be resolved by keeping the doors in place. Others will require that the doors be removed. This guide will show you how to remove the internal bifold door pins, rollers, and pivots.

Gathering your tools is the first step. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration by assembling all of your tools beforehand. You'll need a screwdriver, pliers and maybe a wrench. A set of basic tools is available at a reasonable cost from a local hardware store. Also, keep some wood glue in your kit. This can be useful when you need to glue any of the rollers back into their original position.

After gathering your tools and tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once the bracket is free, you'll be able slide the door off the top track. It may take a small amount of jiggling, but it should come right off the track.

The next step is to remove the pivot at the bottom from the frame. Close all doors to the interior before beginning. This will make it much easier to do instead of working from the inside. If the bottom track is still in good condition you'll be able to just lift up the door and take off the track.

You will need to replace the track if damaged. Hardware stores offer replacement tracks for bifold doors, as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is seriously damaged, you may need to replace it completely.

After your track has been repaired or replaced it is time to check the doors for proper operation. Make sure they're able to move smoothly in and out of position. You should also ensure 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 while tightening or loosening the bottom set screw.

Replace the Roller

Bifold doors neatly enclose closets as well as laundry nooks and pantries, but only if they function properly. They consist of two door panels that are hinged together and slide open on a track that sits in the top of the frame. Over time the roller guides may wear out and cause the doors to bow. Replacing the roller guide requires just a few minutes and a few basic tools.

The first step is to remove the guide for your roller from the door panel. This requires removal of the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide on its top. After the guide has been removed then lift the door frame up and out of its track. Next, loosen the nut that holds the top pivot bolt and use the wrench to remove it from the hole in the top header of the door frame.

A replacement top nylon roller guide that has 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 the bifold door, which is 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and is spring loaded to self-adjust the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.

Another issue that is common to a bifold door is that it scrapes the floor when it is closed or opened. This is often the result of adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised to allow for adequate clearance. Removing the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom, loosening the top track's mounting screws, and moving the anchor/pivot pin usually enough to clear this issue.

A new set of top roller guides is an inexpensive solution to a problem that could make bifold repairs near me doors difficult to operate. They are usually available at your local hardware store in the door section, but they're also accessible online from a number of vendors. Along with a brand new top roller guide, you will need a small container of Elmer's wood glue that is available in big box stores and a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the area being repaired closed tightly after the glue has been placed in and dried.