How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors have become stuck, they probably require a little attention. You may have to clean, lubricate or adjust them. The issue could be caused by an unfastened screw on the top pivot or by the top roller guide.

This kit comes with all the hardware needed to return your bi fold door repairs-fold closet door system to optimal performance.

Take the door off

Installing a set of internal bifold door repair doors may appear to be a complicated and difficult project but it's actually easy for DIYers with a little experience. The frame is not the problem, but getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. Bifold doors are complex pieces of machinery and, as such they could require some 'tuning up' to keep working correctly. It could be as simple as tightening a screw, or as complicated as removing and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

It is usually possible to fix these issues by making just a few minor adjustments, without having to take out the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sagging and scraping the floor or bouncing off the track. The solution to these issues isn't difficult. With three easy steps the bifold doors will be back on track in short time.

The most frequent issue that internal bifolding doors face is that they slide out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots, or a misaligned bifold door. The majority of the time this can be fixed by a few simple adjustments. If, however, your door isn't moving at all, you may need to replace it.

You'll need to open the door with a screwdriver, and possibly pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are too tight. The screwdriver is used to release the locking levers at the bottom of the pivot bracket. The pliers are used for removing the pin.

When the top roller has become loose and the top roller is loose, you should be able to raise the door and swivel it down and allow you to pull it off of its track and pivot brackets. This is typically quite easy however be careful not to let the door crash against the frame of the door. You'll then be able to cut off the edge of the door which is scratching the floor, and then sand it until it is smooth. You can then repaint it or replace it with a new finish as needed.

Take off the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guides mounts on the top of the bifolding door to facilitate smooth operation. It is specifically designed for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel and plastic components. It is able to replace a damaged guide.

Remove any screws holding the roller guide in place by using a screwdriver. Use your hands to slowly lift it off the frame. It might require some effort to take off the door, so you may need someone else to assist you.

Once the guide you used to guide your child is removed, carefully cut through the remaining finish around the foot of the new guide using the help of a razor blade to remove it from the rod blank. This will make it easier to remove and prevent damage to the new guide foot. Be cautious while doing this, as the guide foot is extremely sharp and could cut or nick your fingers.

You will probably have to use some force to take the guide off, but take care not to chip or break the foot. After you have removed the guide that was previously attached, take out any epoxy or threads left in the area where it was anchored. This will help prevent any future problems with the guide.

After you have removed the guide, test out the new guide by placing it in its permanent location and applying a few rotations of masking tape or some form of guide tubing to secure it in place. This will allow you double check the guide spacing and alignment to ensure that everything is set up correctly. This is vital to avoid any issues in the future, whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or eyeball it.

If the guide is set correctly and functioning as it should, the last step is to put the door back in place. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins you removed or loosen.

Remove the Bottom Pivot

Bifold doors can be a beautiful addition to any home, but they may require tweaking or adjusted to ensure they remain in good shape. While some of the less critical issues can be fixed by keeping the doors in place, others require removal. This guide will teach you how to take off the internal bifold door pins, rollers, and pivots.

Gathering your tools is the first step. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration if you collect all of your tools beforehand. You'll require a screwdriver, pliers and perhaps a wrench. A basic set of tools is available at a reasonable cost from your local hardware store. Keep some wood glue in the back of your hand. This can be very useful if you have to glue one rollers back into the correct position.

Once you've gathered your tools, start by opening the bifold doors and then loosening 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 a bit 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 you begin. This will be much easier than working from inside. If the track on the bottom is still in good working order it will be possible to simply lift the door and take off the track.

If the track is damaged, then you'll have to replace it. You can purchase new tracks for swinging and bifold closet doors from a local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged, you may need to replace it completely.

You'll now need to test your doors for proper function. Check that the doors can move in and out of their place effortlessly. You'll want to make sure that the edges of your door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they're not, you'll have to adjust the top pivot bracket by tightening or loosening the bottom setscrew.

Replace the Roller

If they are installed properly they can be used to protect pantries, laundry nooks and closets. They consist of two door panels that are hinged together and open up on a track that sits in the top of the frame. Over time, the roller guides can wear out and cause the doors to sag. Replacing the roller guide requires only a few minutes, and a few basic tools.

The first step is removing the guide for your roller from the door panel. This involves taking off the pivot bolt at the bottom and loosening the screw that holds the guide to its top. After removing the guide, pull the panel off the track. Then with a wrench, remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the frame's header by loosening the bolt.

A top nylon replacement guide that has a 7/8 inch diameter wheel and a steel base is available from Stanley, Cox or Acme. It can be mounted on the top edge of bifold doors that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and comes spring-loaded to self-adjust in the upper track for smooth gliding.

Another issue with bifold doors is that it scrapes the floor when it closes or opens. This can occur after installing carpet, or other flooring materials which require the doors be elevated to allow clearance. Removal of the screw that adjusts the bottom pivot, loosening the top track's mounting screws and moving the anchor/pivot pin is typically enough to eliminate this issue.

A new set of top roller guides is a cheap solution to a problem that may make bifold doors repair doors difficult to operate. They are usually available at your local hardware store in the door section, but they're also available online from a number of suppliers. Along with a brand new top roller guide, you will need a small container of Elmer's wood glue which is available in big box stores as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the repair area in place after the glue has been inserted and allowed to dry.