The Most Significant Issue With Repair Bifold Door Top Roller, And How You Can Fix It

· 6 min read
The Most Significant Issue With Repair Bifold Door Top Roller, And How You Can Fix It

How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

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

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

Remove the Door

It may seem complicated and difficult to set up the bifold internal doors but for DIYers with some experience it's actually a breeze. Getting the frame into position isn't a problem; the tricky part is getting the doors to fold and close quickly and precisely. Because bifold doors are intricate machines, they could require some 'tuning' to continue functioning correctly. This could be as simple as tightening screws or as complicated as removing the door and replacing the pivot pin or roller.

The majority of the time you can fix 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. It's easy to fix these issues. Just follow three simple steps and your bifold door will be back on the right direction in no time.

The most common issue bifolding doors with internal hinges face is that they slide 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. Most times, this can be corrected by making a few minor adjustments. If, however, your door doesn't move at all, you may require replacing it.

You'll need to remove the door with a screwdriver, and possibly a pair pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are too tight. The screwdriver will be used to disengage any locking levers on the bottom bracket of the pivot and the pliers allow you to pull the pin out and off.

Once the top roller has become loose, you should be able to lift the door and swivel it downward and allow you to pull it out of its track and pivot brackets. It is usually a simple procedure, but you need to be cautious not to let the door strike the door frame. Then you can sand the edges of the door to make it smooth. Then, you can repaint or replace it with a new finish as needed.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guides the mount on top of a bifolding door to facilitate smooth operation. It is made specifically for Kenna frames and will fit door panels that range from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is made from nylon, steel, and other components. It can be used to replace a damaged or worn-out guide.

Remove any screws that hold the roller guide in place using a screwdriver. Then, carefully use your hands to remove it of the frame. This may require some effort, so let an assistant help you keep the door in place as you take it off.

After removing the guide, carefully cut off the remaining finish off the guide's foot by using a razor to cut it from the blank rod. This will make it easier to remove and will prevent damage to the new guide foot. The guide foot is extremely sharp, and it could cut or nick fingers.

It is possible to use some force to remove the guide, but be careful not to break or chip the foot. After you have removed the guide, you must remove any remaining epoxy or threads in the place where it was anchored. This will help prevent future problems with the guide.

After removing the guide, test your replacement by placing it in its permanent position. Make a few turns using masking tape or guide tubing in order to ensure it stays in place. This will allow you to check the alignment of your guide and spacing to make sure everything is properly set up. This step is crucial to avoid future problems regardless of whether you are using the CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System, or just eyeball it.

If the guide is set properly and is functioning according to its intended function then the final step will be to put the door back in place. Remember to tighten and replace 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 require some tweaking or adjustment to stay in good shape. While some of the simpler issues can be fixed by keeping the doors in place, others require them to be removed. This guide will walk you through the process of removing internal bifold pivots for doors, pins and rollers so you can get your doors sliding like new again.


Gathering your tools is the first step. You'll avoid frustration if you collect all of your tools beforehand. You'll need a screwdriver pliers, and possibly a wrench. A set of basic tools can be bought at a reasonable cost from a local hardware store. Keep a supply of wood glue in your kit.  Repair My Windows And Doors UK  is useful if you need to put the rollers in their place.

Once you've collected your tools, begin by opening the bifold doors, and then loosening the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once the bracket is loose, you should be able to slide the door off of the top track. It could take a little few jigglings but it should come right off the track.

The pivot at the bottom of the frame will need to be removed. Close all doors in the interior prior to starting. This will be much simpler than trying to work from inside. If the track on the bottom looks good it is possible to lift the door and take off the track.

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

Now that your track is repaired or replaced, you'll need to check the doors for the proper operation. Make sure that the doors move in and out of their positions effortlessly. You'll need to ensure that the edges of your door are parallel with the frame when closed. If they aren't, you'll need to adjust the top pivot bracket while tightening or loosening the bottom set screw.

Replace the Roller

Bifold doors are a great way to enclose closets or laundry rooms, as well as pantries, but only if they function correctly. They consist of two door panels that are hinged and open up on a track that sits in the top of the frame. Over time the guides for the rollers can wear out and cause the doors to slide. Replacing the roller guide takes only a few minutes, and the most basic tools.

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

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 edge of bifold doors which are 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It is spring loaded and adjusts automatically in the upper track to ensure smooth sliding.

A bifold door can also scratch against the floor when it opens and closes. This is often the result of adding carpet, or other flooring materials which require that the doors be raised slightly to allow clearance. This issue can be resolved by getting rid of the screws that adjust the bottom pivot and loosening the top track mounting screws and moving the anchor/pivot.

A new set of roller guides could be a low-cost solution to the problem of your bifold doors becoming difficult to operate. They are usually available at the hardware store near you in the door section, but they're also available on the internet from a variety of sellers. You'll also require a squeeze-clamp and a small container of Elmer's wood adhesive that is sold in large box stores. The clamp is used to keep the repair area in place after glue is inserted, and allowed to dry.