How to Repair a Bifold Door Top Pivot
The top pivot of a bifold closet door can become loose and scratch the floor. This can be fixed by loosening up the set screw on the top bracket.
The top pivot pin is a screw made of metal that is inserted into a cap made of plastic which has a rounded edging and remains in the track above the front door. You'll also need a screwdriver, and possibly two pliers.
Remove the bottom pin
Bifold doors are an excellent option to maximize space in your closet, but as time passes, they could begin to sag against the floor, or even pop out of brackets. It is possible to fix the problem by making a few simple adjustments.
The most frequent issue is a loose bottom pin or bracket. You can correct this by pressing the spring-loaded wheel located at the top of the door, and then swinging the door into position to align it with the bottom track. Once the gap is equal, tighten the screw that secures the top pivot point bracket to keep the door in position.
Another issue that can be found is when the door's bottom is pushed into the carpet and scrapes along it. It can be caused by the addition of carpet or other flooring materials. It can also be caused by an unbalanced gap between the door and hinge side jamb. It is possible to fix this by loosening up the top guide, sliding it to the side or uncrewing the top pivot point.
The final issue that can arise is when the track becomes misaligned with the door frame, and this can be solved by loosening the screw on the top of the set and adjusting it in or out as necessary. After you've adjusted the bolts and nuts that hold the track in place you can then slide it back into the bracket and secure it using the screw.
To remove the bottom pin to remove the bottom pin, hold both panels at the sides and lift them off the track below and off their brackets. Release the locking levers on the bracket's bottom to let the pin go. If the pin doesn't have a bracket for mounting, place an flat-head screwdriver between bottom of the pivot flange and the door to pull it off of the door. Once you have a firm hold on the pin, turn it left to right while pulling it out of the door. If you're unable to remove the pin, you could need to remove the entire panel from the track system. If this is the case, place it on a set of saw horses to make it easier to handle.
Remove the pin with the highest point.
Bifold doors are great for saving space, but they can be troublesome when they begin to slide and scrape against the floor or jump off their track. There are a few basic adjustments that can often bring them back to their the right track.
If the doors are sliding unevenly then loosen the screw on the top pivot point bracket with a screwdriver and move it a little bit. Close the door to see whether it is in alignment with the frame. If it does then tighten the screw.
Another common problem with internal bifold doors is that the bottoms of the doors scrape against the carpet. If this is the case you can raise the bottom of the doors using the bottom pin adjustment. If the door is too high, you'll need remove the doors and trim them with the aid of a saw.
The wood around the pivot pins and anchors could get damaged over time. You can use epoxy to repair the crack and prevent it from becoming worse. Apply a small amount to the crack, and let it dry before opening the door.
If your bifold doors aren't closing or aligning properly with the frame it could be due to the fact that they're too far from each other. You can fix this by moving the top of the door either up or down the track.
Doing this manually can be challenging and therefore it's recommended to have help doing this project. Pick up the exterior and interior panels of the door on the sides. Then lift them up. Then stack them to make it easier for you to move them.
If there are locking levers on the pivot bracket, remove the levers. Otherwise you can grab the pin's top by using vise grips and turn it left to right while pulling it out. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the door. Once both pins have been removed the door should open and align with the track. If it doesn't work, you can always reinstall the doors and try again. If the track is bent it is possible to make use of a drill to straighten it out.
Reinstall the bottom pin
If the bottom pin isn't working properly, the door might be stuck, preventing it from closing and opening smoothly. Fortunately, the issue is usually simple to repair. Sometimes the issue is a missing or loose mounting screw is the culprit. If that's the case, the best option is to replace the screw with a brand new one that's the same size as the one you have. Screw bi folding door repair into place and tighten.
If you're looking to become more serious about your bifold door repair project then you can use a tool such as an air pressure gauge to test for proper compression of the top pin that is spring-loaded. The gauge can also be helpful in determining if the pin itself is damaged or cracked, which is important information to have if you're planning on replacing it with a replacement part.
The measurement of the diameter of the cap on the pin and the diameter the pivot pin will allow you to determine if the pin has damaged or worn out. Compare the measurements to the available online replacements. This will help you to find the right part for your door.
Lean the doors open and open the doors against each other before installing the replacement pivot pin. If you're using set closet door knobs to mount the pivot pin, mark a line in the middle of the leading edge of each door. Make use of a long level to do this so you're sure that the top bifold track is level and in perfect alignment with the jambs.
After the doors have been put in, insert the top pin into the pivot guide in the track. Swing the bottom of door into place until the pin is resting on the L-shaped bracket. If the door does not fit between the top bracket and the bottom guide you can raise or lower it by removing the pivot adjuster at the bottom of the door. Make sure that the gap between the door and the hinge-side jamb is equal by using a long line and marking a plumb line through the center of the door frame.
Reinstall the Top Pin
Bifolds are hinged panels that fold back on tracks and then placed to one side of the door opening. They come in a variety of styles, including solid or paneled doors and louvered doors. They can be used for hallways, closets and bedrooms or laundry rooms. If you have an existing pair of bifold doors which scrape the floor or aren't functioning properly, it's possible to adjust them by adjusting the top and bottom pivots.
Remove the top pin first from the upper track. Then, slide the bottom pin into the bracket, and then check if there's a correct and even gap between the jamb side of the frame and the door.
If the gap between the bottom and the frame is too big you can make it smaller by moving the pivot at the bottom of your door. This will move the door's bottom towards the frame and narrow the gap. You can adjust the height of the track hanger by loosening the screw on the bottom of the track and adjusting the angle using a wrench.
Install the top track bracket at the hinge side of the door frame once you have reinstalled the track hanger. Follow the directions and diagrams that came with your kit for exact positioning. Be sure to ensure that the track is flush and level with the floor prior to fixing it.
Measure the width and height to ensure that you have the proper track and hardware kit. If you're unsure about the best way to install your bifold doors consult an expert installer to ensure that your installation is completed correctly. They will be able to tell you whether the bifold doors that you have are the right size for the opening you have, and they can help you choose the best design that is suitable for your home. They can also trim the doors to fit if necessary. This will save you time and money.