How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide
If your bifold door is squeaking it's likely they require some maintenance. It is possible that you need to clean, lubricate or adjust them. The problem could be caused by an unfastened bolt on the top pivot, or by the top guide roller.
This kit contains all the hardware needed to restore your bi-fold closet door system to its best performance.
Take the door off
It may seem complicated 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, but getting the doors to fold and close smoothly is. Because bifold doors are intricate machines, they may need some tweaking to ensure they are functioning properly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complex as removing the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.
The majority of the time you can resolve these issues with a couple of simple adjustments, without having to remove the doors. You may notice that your doors are sagging, scraping the floor, or that they are bouncing off of their track. The solution to these issues isn't difficult, and with three easy steps the bifold doors will be back in the blink of an eye.
One of the most common problems that bifold doors with internals face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws or holes in the anchor/pivot pins, or simply a door that isn't aligned properly. In most cases, you can correct this by making a few simple adjustments, but if the door isn't moving, it might need to be removed and replaced.
To remove the door to open it, you'll require an screwdriver and perhaps two pliers (to help loosen any pins that are tight to pivot). The screwdriver is used to disengage the locking levers on the bottom bracket for pivots. The pliers are used for removing the pin.
When the top roller is loose it should be possible to raise the door and swivel it downwards in order to lift it off of its track and pivot brackets. This is typically quite easy however, be sure not to let the door slam against the door frame. You should then be able to cut off the edge of the door which is scratching the floor, and then sand it until smooth. You can then paint or refinish the door as necessary.
Take off the Roller Guide
This spring-loaded roller guides the mount on the top of bifolding doors to aid in smooth operation. It is made for Kenna frames, and will fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel, and other components. It can be used to replace a worn-out or damaged guide.
To begin removing the roller guide, remove the screws that hold it in place. Do this using the screwdriver and a little to loosen it. Make use of your hands to gently lift it off the frame. bi fold door repair repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk might require some effort to take off the door, so make sure you ask a friend to help 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 with a razor blade to separate it from the rod blank. This will make the guide foot easier to remove, and will prevent any damage. Be cautious when doing this as the foot is very sharp and can cut or nick your fingers.
You may need to apply some force to remove the guide, but take care not to break or chip the foot. After removing the guide, you must remove any epoxy or threads left in the area it was anchored. This will help prevent future problems with the guide.
After removing the old guide, you can test the new guide by placing it in its place and then applying a few rotations of masking tape or a kind of guide tubing to hold it in its place. This will allow you to double check the guide spacing and alignment to ensure that everything is set up correctly. This step is crucial to avoid future problems regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System, or just eyeball it.
The final step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the proper position and functioning in the correct way, then you're ready to proceed. Remember that any screws or pins you removed or loosened must be replaced and tightened properly when you're done.
Remove the Bottom Pivot
Bifold doors can be a beautiful feature for a home, but they sometimes require tweaking or adjusted to keep them in good shape. Some issues can be resolved with the doors still in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will teach you how to take off 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 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 your local hardware store. Keep some wood glue in the back of your hand. This is helpful when you need to fix the rollers into place.
After putting together your tools and tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once the bracket is in place, you should be able slide the door off of the top track. It might take a bit of jiggling, but it should pop off the track.
The bottom pivot of the frame will need to be removed. You'll want to do this from the outside of the house So, make sure to shut any interior doors that you are able to open. This will be a lot easier than working from the inside. If the track at the bottom appears good you can lift the door and remove the track.
You'll have to replace the track if it is damaged. You can buy new tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors from your local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged, then you might need to replace it entirely.
You'll need to test your doors to ensure their proper operation. Check that the doors can be moved into and out of their position smoothly. You should also ensure that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when closed. If they're not, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom set screw until the door's edge lines up perfectly with the frame.
Replace the Roller
If they are installed correctly, bifold doors can neatly enclose laundry nooks, pantries and closets. They consist of two door panels that hinge together and slide open on a track that sits in the frame's top. Over time the roller guide bearings may wear out and cause the doors to sag and scrape against the floor. Replacing the guide roller takes only a few minutes, and basic tools.
The first step is to take the guide roller from the door panel. The pivot bolt at the bottom must be removed, and the screw that holds the guide to the top of the door panel must be loosened. After removing the guide, lift the panel from the track. Then using a wrench remove the top pivot bolt from the hole in the frame's header by loosening the bolt.
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 is mounted on the top of bifold doors that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches in thickness and is spring-loaded to adjust in the upper track to ensure smooth gliding.
Bifold doors can also scratch the floor as it opens and closes. This can occur after installing carpet or other flooring materials which require the doors be slightly raised to allow for clearance. Removing the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom, loosening the top track's mounting screws and moving the anchor/pivot pin is typically enough to resolve this issue.
A set top roller with new guides is a cost-effective solution to the problem of your bifold doors being difficult to operate. You can usually find them at your local hardware store in the door section, but they're also available on the internet from a variety of suppliers. Along with a brand new top roller guide, you will require a small bottle of Elmer's wood glue which is sold in the big box stores and a squeeze clamp. The clamp helps to hold the repair area tightly closed after glue is inserted, and allowed to dry.