5 Things That Everyone Doesn't Know On The Subject Of Repair Bifold Door Top Roller

5 Things That Everyone Doesn't Know On The Subject Of Repair Bifold Door Top Roller

How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are sticking then it's likely that they need some attention. They might require cleaning, lubricated or adjusted. The issue could be caused by loose screws on the top pivot or the top guide roller.

This kit contains all the hardware you need to restore your bi-fold wardrobe door to its optimal performance.

Remove the Door

It may appear complicated and challenging to put in a set of bifold internal doors, but for those who are DIYers with some experience, it is actually quite simple. Moving the frame isn't a major issue The trick is getting the doors to fold and close easily and precisely. Bifold doors are a complex piece of machinery and, therefore they may require some  tweaking to keep working correctly. It could be as easy as tightening a screw, or as complicated as removing and replacing the door's pivot pin or roller.

You can usually fix these issues by making some minor adjustments without having to remove the doors. You might find that your doors are sagging, scraping the floor, or they're bouncing off their track. It's not difficult to fix these issues. Follow three easy steps and your bifold doors will be back on line in no time.

One of the most frequent problems that internal bifold doors face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This could be due loose screws, holes on the anchor/pivots or an unaligned bifold door. Most times this can be fixed by a few simple adjustments. However, if your door doesn't move at all, you may need to replace it.

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

After the top roller has been removed, you can lift the door, swivel downward and then remove it from its pivot brackets and track. It's usually a simple process, but you must be careful to not let the door hit the door frame. Then, you'll be able cut off the edge of the door which is scraping the floor, and sand it down until smooth. Then paint or refinish the door if necessary.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller guide mounts on the top of bifold doors to aid with smooth operation. It is designed to work with Kenna frames and can be fitted to a door panel 1 to 3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel, and other components and can replace a worn or damaged guide.

Take out any screws that are holding the roller guide in place using the screwdriver. Use your hands to slowly pull it from the frame. It could require some effort to take off the door, so ask an assistant to help.

After removing the old guide, carefully cut the remaining finish off the guide's foot with a razor to separate it from the blank rod. This will make it easier to take off and ensure that there is no damage to the new guide foot. The guide foot is extremely sharp, and it could cut or nick fingers.

You may have to use a bit of force to take the guide off, but be careful not to chip or break the foot. After you've separated the guide from the rod blank, be sure to take out all of the epoxy and threads that remain where it was attached. This will help avoid future problems with the guide.

After removing the guide, you can test the replacement by putting it in its permanent location. Apply a few rotations using masking tape or guide tubing to hold it in position. This will allow you to double examine the guide's spacing and alignment to ensure that everything is set up correctly. If you're eyeballing it or using the always accurate CRB Spine Finder and Deflection System it is essential to avoid any problems in the future.


The last step is to replace the door. If the guide is in the correct position and functions in the correct way, then you're able to proceed. Make sure that any screws or pins you loosened or removed should be replaced and tightened correctly when you're finished.

Take the Bottom Pivot off.

Bifold doors can be an attractive feature for a home, but they often require tweaking or adjusted to ensure they remain in good working order. Certain issues can be solved with the doors still in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will walk you through the process of removing the internal bifold door pivots and rollers, as well as pins and pins, to make your doors slide like new.

The first step is to gather your tools. You'll avoid frustration if you gather all of your tools beforehand. You'll also require a screwdriver and pliers. You can pick up a set of basic tools at your local hardware store at a reasonable price. Keep a supply of wood glue on hand. This is useful in the event that you have to put the rollers in place.

After assembling your tools then open the bifold doors and loosen the top track bracket with your screwdriver. Once this is loose the door should be able to slide off the top track completely. It may take some dancing but it should eventually pop off the track.

The next step is to remove the bottom pivot from the frame. This should be done from the outside of your home, so be sure to shut any interior doors that you are able to open. This will make it much easier to do than trying to work from the inside. If the track on the bottom is still in good condition it will be possible to simply lift the door and remove the track.

If the track is damaged, you'll need to replace it. Hardware stores offer replacement tracks for bifold doors as well as swinging closet doors. If the track is severely damaged then you may need to replace it entirely.

Once your track is repaired or replaced it is time to test the doors to ensure the proper operation. Check that they're able to move smoothly in and out of position. You'll also want to check that the edges of the door are parallel to 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 neatly enclose closets, laundry nooks and pantries, but only if they function properly.  Continuing  are made up of two panels that are hinged and slide on an incline at the top of the frame. Over time the roller guides may wear out and cause the doors to sag. The roller guide can be replaced in a matter of minutes using a few tools.

The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. The bolt that holds the bottom pivot must be removed, and the screw that holds the guide to the top of the door panel should be loosen. After taking off the guide, lift 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.

Stanley, Cox and Acme offer a top nylon replacement roller with a 7/8-inch diameter wheel on a steel base. It is mounted on the top edge of bifold doors that are 1 inch to 1-3/8 inch thick. It comes spring-loaded and adjusts itself in the upper track to ensure smooth glide.

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

A new set of top roller guides is an inexpensive solution to a problem that may make bifold doors difficult to operate. They're usually available at your local hardware store in the door section but they're also available online from a number of vendors. In addition to a new top guide for rollers, you'll need a small container of Elmer's wood glue that is sold in large box stores, as well as a squeeze clamp. The clamp is used to keep the area being repaired closed tightly after the glue has been placed in and dried.