How to Repair a Bifold Door Top Pivot
The top pivot of a bifold closet door can be loosened and scrape the floor. This can be fixed by loosening the set screw on the top bracket a bit.
The top pivot pin is a metal screw which fits into a cap made of plastic which has a rounded end and stays in the track above the front door. You'll require a screwdriver and perhaps pliers.
Remove the Bottom Pin
Bifold doors are a great option to make space in your closet, however as time passes, they could begin to sag against the floor, or even pop out of brackets. You can fix most problems with some basic adjustments.
The most common problem is when the bottom pin becomes loose or slips out of its bracket. You can fix this by pressing the spring-loaded wheel located at the top of the door and then swivelling the door to align it with the bottom track. Once the gap has been adjusted, tighten the screw that holds the top pivot bracket in order to keep the door in its place.
Another common issue is when the bottom of the door 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 uneven gap between the door and side jambs of the hinge. It is possible to fix this by loosening the top guide and sliding it sideways or removing the pivot point at the top and move it out or in.
The final issue that can arise is when the upper track is misaligned with the door frame, and this issue can be resolved by loosening the top set screw and adjusting it in or out as needed. After you've adjusted the nuts and bolts that hold the track in place, you'll be capable of re-sliding it into its track bracket and secure it using the screw.
To remove the bottom pin from the bracket, raise the panels a bit and then hold them together. If the bracket on the bottom has locking levers, unbolt them to let the pin go. If repairing bifold doors doesn't have a mounting bracket, insert an flat-head screwdriver between bottom of the flange of the pivot and the door to push it away from the door. Once you can get an ensconced hold on the pin, turn it left and right and then pull it out of the door. If you aren't able to remove the pin, you could have to take the entire panel from the track system. If this is the case, then put it on a set of saw horses to make it easier to move.
Take off the Top Pin
They are great for saving space but can be a hassle when they begin to slide or scrape the floor or veer off track. A few simple adjustments can usually bring them back on track.
If the doors are sliding unevenly then loosen the screw on the top pivot point bracket with an screwdriver and move it just a bit. Close the door and verify whether it is aligned with the frame. If it does, tighten the screw.
The bottoms of bifold internal doors are often scraped by the carpet. If this is the case, try raising the door's bottom using the bottom pin adjustment. But if the door is too high, you'll need remove the doors and trim them with a saw.
As time passes the wood around the pivot and anchor pins may crack. It is possible to apply epoxy to repair the crack and stop it from getting worse. Apply a small amount of epoxy to the crack, and allow it to dry before opening the door.
It could be that the bifold doors of your home are too far apart. You can fix it by moving the top of the door up or down the track.
It can be difficult to do this project by yourself, so you'll need an assistant. Take the interior and exterior panels of the door along the sides. Then lift them up. They can be stacked to make to make handling easier.
Release any locking levers that are on the pivot bracket. Otherwise take the pin's top by using vise grips and twist it left to right while pulling it out. Repeat the process on the other side of the door. Once both pins have been removed, the door will open and align with the track. If it doesn't, you can always reinstall the doors and try again. You can use a drilling tool to straighten out the track if it's bent.
Reinstall the bottom pin
If the bottom pin does not function properly, it may cause the door to become bowed and prevent it from opening or closing smoothly. Fortunately, the problem is often easy to fix. Often it's a loose or missing mounting screw is the culprit. If this is the situation, you should replace the screw with an alternative that is the same size. Then, screw it in place and tighten it.
If you're looking to become more serious about your bifold door repair 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 be used to determine if the pin is damaged or cracked. This is important information if you plan on replacing it.
An effective method to determine if the current pivot pin is damaged or worn out is by measuring its diameter as well as the diameter of the pin cap. Compare the measurements with what you can find online for 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 putting in the replacement pivot pin. If you're using set of closet door knobs that you want to mount the pivot pin, mark a line level down the center of the leading edge of each door. You can use a long-length level for this to ensure that the top of the bifold track aligns with the jambs and is level.
Once the doors have been installed after installation, insert the top pin in the pivot guide on the track. Swing the bottom of door until the pin is seated in the L-shaped bracket. If the door doesn't fit between the top bracket and the bottom guide, you can raise or lower it by removing the adjustable pivot at the bottom of the doors. Use a long level to mark a plumb line across the middle of the door frame. If the gap between the hinge side jamb and the door is not even, adjust the pivot on the bottom.
Reinstall the Top Pin
A bifold is a set of hinged panels that fold back on tracks and then placed on the opposite side of the door opening. They are available in different styles like solid or paneled and louvered. They can be used for hallways, closets and laundry rooms or even bedrooms. You can alter the position of the bifolds in a pair that aren't functioning correctly or scrape the floor by changing the pivots at the top and bottom pivot.
Take the top pin first from the upper track. Then, slide the bottom one into its bracket, checking to see if the gap between the door and the jamb side of the frame is even and in the correct position.
If the gap between the bottom and the frame is too big you can make it smaller by lifting the pivot at the bottom of your door. This will push the door's bottom towards the frame and narrow the gap. You can adjust the track hanger's height by loosening the screw at the bottom of the track and then adjusting the position with a wrench.
Install the top track bracket at the hinge side of the door frame after you have installed the track hanger. Follow the directions and diagrams that came with the kit to ensure that it is placed precisely. Make sure the track is aligned and flush with the floor prior to fixing it in place.
When installing a new track, measure the length and width of the door opening to make certain that you have the proper dimension of track and the appropriate hardware kit. Contact a professional installer If you aren't sure about how to install bifold doors. They will be able to tell you whether your bifold doors are the correct size for the opening and help you select the ideal style of door for your home. If required, they will reduce the door so that they are sized to fit. This will save you time and money.