How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors have become stuck, they probably require some maintenance. They might need to be cleaned, lubricated or adjusted. The problem could be caused by an unfastened bolt on the top pivot, or by the top guide roller.

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

Remove the Door

It might seem difficult and challenging to put in an internal set of bifold doors, but for those who are DIYers with some experience, it's actually a breeze. The frame is not the issue however getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. bifold door replacement doors are intricate pieces of machinery, and as such, they might need some 'tuning up' to keep working correctly. This might be something as easy as tightening a screw or as complex as taking out the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

Most of the time you can resolve these issues by making a few simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may notice that your doors are sliding or scratching the floor, or that they are bouncing off of their tracks. It's not difficult to fix these problems. Follow three easy steps and your bifold door will be back on line in no time.

One of the most common problems that internal repair bifold door top pivot doors encounter is sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws or holes in the anchor pins, or simply a misaligned door. In the majority of cases, you can correct this by making a few simple adjustments, but if the door isn't moving at all, it might need to be removed and replaced.

To remove the door, you'll need an appropriate screwdriver, and possibly two pliers (to assist in loosening any tight pivot pins). The screwdriver can be used to release any locking levers that are on the bottom bracket of the pivot, and the pliers will let you wiggle the pin out and off.

Once the top roller has been removed After that, you can lift the door, then swivel it downwards and remove it from its pivot brackets and track. This is usually quite straightforward however, be sure not to let the door hit against the door frame. You'll then be able to cut 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 necessary.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guide mounts on the top edge of the bifold door to assist in smooth operation. It is made specifically for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is made of nylon, steel, and other components. It can be used to replace a damaged or worn-out guide.

To begin removing the guide roller, take out any screws holding it in place using a screwdriver and a bit to loosen it. Then, carefully use your hands to remove it of the frame. It could take some effort to remove the door, so you may need a friend to help you.

Once the old guide is removed, carefully cut the remaining finish on the foot of the new guide with the help of a razor blade to separate it 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 careful when doing this as the foot is extremely sharp and could potentially cause injury to your fingers or cut them.

You will probably have to apply a little force to pull the guide off, but be cautious not to break or chip the foot. Once you have removed the guide from the rod blank, be sure to get rid of all the epoxy and threads remaining in the area where it was affixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.

After removing the guide, test out the new guide by placing it in its permanent location and then applying a few turns of masking tape or another type of guide tubing to hold it in place. This will allow you to check the alignment of your guide and spacing to ensure everything is properly set up. This is essential to avoid any issues in the future regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System or just eyeball it.

The last step is to replace bifold doors the door. If the guide is in the proper position and functions just as it should, you can proceed. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins that you removed or loosened.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors are a stunning addition to any home but often they require a bit of tweaking or adjustment to remain in great shape. While some of the simpler problems can be solved with the doors in place, others will require removal. This guide will show you how to remove the internal bifold door pins, rollers and pivots.

The first step is to gather your tools. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration if you gather all of your tools beforehand. You'll also need an plier and a screwdriver. A basic set of tools can be purchased at a reasonable cost from a local hardware store. It's also a good idea to keep some wood glue handy. This is helpful when you need to glue the rollers into the right place.

After assembling your tools then open the bifold doors and loosen the top track bracket by using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose the door should be capable of sliding off the top track completely. It might take a little dancing to get it there, but it should come off the track.

The bottom pivot of the frame will have to be removed. This should be done from the outside of your home Be sure to shut any interior doors you have open. This will make it easier to do instead of working from the inside. If the track on the bottom appears to be in good condition it is possible to lift the door up and take off the track.

If the track is damaged, then you'll have to replace it. You can purchase replacement tracks for both bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors at your local hardware store. If the track is severely damaged, then you might need to replace it entirely.

You'll need to test your doors for their proper operation. Check that the doors can move into and out of their positions easily. You'll want to ensure that the edges of your door are in line with the frame when closed. If they're not, you'll have to adjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom setscrew until the edge of the door is perfectly aligned with the frame.

Replace the Roller

Bifold doors are a great way to enclose closets or laundry rooms, as well as pantries, but only when they work properly. The bifold doors consist of two panels that are hinged and slide down tracks at the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guide bearings could wear out, causing the doors to slide and scrape against the floor. Replacing the guide roller takes only a few minutes and a few basic tools.

The first step is to remove the guide for your roller from the door panel. The bolt that holds the bottom pivot must be removed and the screw holding the guide to the top of the door panel needs to be loosen. After taking off the guide, lift the panel from the track. Then, using a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the header of the frame by loosening the nut.

Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a top nylon replacement roller with a 7/8-inch diameter wheel mounted on a base made of steel. It mounts at the top edge of bifold door repair bracket doors that range from 1 to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is spring loaded and self-adjusts in the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.

Bifold doors can also scratch the floor when it closes and opens. This can occur after adding carpet or other flooring materials that require the doors to be raised to allow for adequate clearance. Removing the screw that adjusts the bottom pivot and loosening the top track's mounting screws and moving the anchor/pivot pin typically enough to resolve this issue.

A set top roller with new guides could be a low-cost solution to your bifold doors being difficult to operate. They're usually available at the hardware store near you in the door section but they're also available on the internet through a variety of vendors. Along with a brand new top guide for rollers, you'll require a small bottle of Elmer's wood glue that is sold in the big box stores as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the area being repaired sealed after the glue has been placed in and dried.