Why We Why We Repair Bifold Door Top Roller (And You Should, Too!)

· 6 min read
Why We Why We Repair Bifold Door Top Roller (And You Should, Too!)

How to Repair Bifold Door Top Roller Guide

If your bifold doors are squeaking to the wall, they might require a little attention. They could require cleaning and 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 all the hardware you need to restore your bi-fold wardrobe door to its best performance.

Take the door off

It may seem complicated and challenging to put in a set of bifold internal doors however for DIYers with some experience it is actually quite simple. The frame isn't the problem, but getting the doors to close and fold smoothly is. Bifold doors are complex pieces of machinery and, therefore, they might need some  tuning up to ensure that they function properly. It could be as simple as tightening a screw or as complicated as removing the door and replacing a pivot pin or roller.

You can usually fix these issues with a few simple adjustments, without the need to take off the doors. You may find that your bifold doors are sagging, scraping the floor or slipping off track. Getting these issues under control isn't difficult, and with three easy steps the bifold doors will be back on track in the blink of an eye.

The most frequent issue that bifolding doors with internal hinges face is that they are sliding out of alignment. This could be due to loose screws or holes in the anchor pins, or simply a door that is not aligned. The majority of the time, this can be corrected by a few simple adjustments. If, however, your door isn't moving in any way, you might have to replace it.

You'll have to take off the door with an screwdriver, and perhaps pliers to loosen any pivot pins that are tight. The screwdriver can be used to loosen the locking levers located on the bottom bracket for pivots. The pliers are used to take off the pin.

Once the top roller is loose and the top roller is loose, you should be able to lift the door and then swivel it down and allow you to pull it out of its pivot brackets and track. It is usually a simple process, but you must be careful to not let the door strike the door frame. You should then be able to saw off the edge of the door which is scraping the floor and sand it down until it is smooth. You can then repaint or refinish it as required.

Remove the Roller Guide

This spring-loaded roller is mounted on the top of a bifolding door to ensure smooth operation. It is made to work with Kenna frames, and can fit door panels ranging from 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches thick. It is constructed of nylon, steel, and other components and can replace a worn or damaged guide.

To begin removing the guide roller, take out any screws that are holding it in place using an screwdriver as well as a bit to loosen it. Make use of your hands to gently remove it from the frame. This might take some effort, so let a friend help you to keep the door in place while you take it off.

Once the guide you used to guide your child is removed, carefully cut through the remaining finish over the foot of the new guide with a sharp blade to separate it from the rod blank. This will make it easier to take off and protect the new guide foot. The foot is very sharp and could cut or snag fingers.

You may have to use some force to remove the guide, but you must be careful not to chip or break the foot. After you have separated the old guide from the rod blank, make sure to take out all of the threads and epoxy that remain where it was affixed. This will prevent future problems with the guide.

After you have removed the previous guide, test your replacement by placing it at its permanent position. Apply  www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk  with masking tape or guide tubing to ensure it stays in place. This allows you to double check the alignment of your guide and spacing to ensure that everything is properly set up. This is essential to avoid future problems regardless of whether you use the CRB Spine Finder & Deflection System or eyeball it.

If the guide is set properly and is functioning according to its intended function, the last step will be to reinstall the door in its place. Make sure to replace and tighten any screws or pins you removed or loosen.

Take the Bottom Pivot off.

Bifold doors make a gorgeous addition to any home but sometimes they require some tweaking or adjustment to stay in great shape. Some issues can be resolved with the doors still in place. Other issues will require the doors be removed. This guide will show you how to take off the internal bifold door pins, rollers, and pivots.

The first step is to gather your tools. Making sure you have everything in place prior to time will save you some frustration later during the construction. You'll require a screwdriver, pliers and maybe a wrench. A set of basic tools can be bought at a reasonable price from your local hardware store. It's important to keep some wood glue on hand. This is helpful in the event that you have to put the rollers in the right place.

After gathering your tools and tools, open the bifold door and loosen the top track bracket by using your screwdriver. Once the bracket is in place, you should be able to slide the door off of the top track. It might take a little dancing, but it should pop off the track.

The pivot at the bottom of the frame will need to be removed. Close all doors to the interior prior to starting. This will be much simpler than trying to work from the inside. If the bottom track is in good shape you'll be able to just lift up the door and take off the track.

If the track is damaged, then you'll have to replace it. You can get new tracks for swinging and bifold closet doors from your local hardware store. If the track is seriously damaged, then you might need to replace it entirely.

You'll now need to check your doors for proper function. Make sure that they are capable of moving smoothly from position to position. You'll also want to check that the edges of the door are parallel to the frame when it is closed. If they aren't, then you'll need to readjust the top pivot bracket and tighten or loosen the bottom setscrew until the door's edge is perfectly aligned with the frame.

Replace the Roller

Bifold doors neatly enclose closets as well as laundry nooks and pantries, but only if they work properly. They comprise two door panels that are hinged and slide open on tracks that are positioned in the top of the frame. Over time the roller guides may wear out and cause the doors to bow. Replacing the roller guide requires only a few minutes and a few basic tools.

The first step is to remove the guide for the roller from the door panel. This requires removing the bottom pivot bolt and loosening the screw that holds the guide to its top. After removing the guide, lift the panel off the track. Then, loosen the bolt that holds the top pivot bolt, and use an abrasive to pull it out of the hole in the top header of the door frame.

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

Another issue with bifold doors is that it scrapes against the floor when it is closed or opened. This can occur after installing carpet, or other flooring materials which require the doors be elevated to allow clearance. Removing the pivot adjustment screw on the bottom and 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 an inexpensive solution to a problem that may make your bifold doors difficult to operate. You can usually find them at your local hardware store in the door section but they're also accessible online from a number of suppliers. You will also need a squeeze-clamp and a small container of Elmer's wood adhesive that is sold in big box stores. The clamp helps to hold the repair area tightly closed after glue is inserted and allowed to dry.