How to Repair a Bifold Door Top Pivot
A bifold closet door's top pivot can become loose and scrape along the floor. It is possible to fix this by loosening the set screw for the top bracket.
The top pivot pin is a metal screw that is inserted into a plastic cap with an end that is lipped and stays inside the track above the door. You'll need a screwdriver and possibly a pair of pliers.
Remove the bottom pin
Bifold doors are ideal to save space in closets, but they can start to sag or scrape against the floor or fall out of their brackets. The good thing is that you are able to repair the problem by making a few minor adjustments.
The most frequent issue is when the bottom pin gets loose or slips out of its bracket. You can fix this by pressing the spring-loaded wheel at the top of the door, and then swinging the door to align it with the bottom track. Once the gap has been equalized, tighten the screw that holds the top pivot bracket in order to keep the door in position.
A typical issue is the edge of the door's bottom scrapes against the carpet. This could be due to adding new carpet or changing the flooring material. It can also be a result of an uneven gap between the hinge and the door jamb. It is possible to fix this by loosening up the top guide, sliding it to the side or uncrewing the pivot point at the top.
The final issue that is common is when the upper track is misaligned. This can be fixed by loosening and moving the screw that holds the top of the track in or out as required. After you've adjusted the bolts and nuts that keep the track in place you can slide it back into the bracket and secure it with the screw.
To take off the pin at the bottom to remove the bottom pin, hold both panels at the sides and lift them off the track below and off of their brackets. Release the locking levers on the lower bracket to let the pin go. If the pin doesn't come with a mounting bracket, you can use a flat-head screwscrew between the bottom of pivot flange and the door to lift the pin away from the door. Once you have a good grip on the pin and are able to pull it out and turn it left to right. 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, place it on a set of saw horses to make it easier to move.
Remove the Top Pin
Bifold doors are excellent to save space, however they can be frustrating when they begin to sag and scrape against the floor or fall off the track. Simple adjustments can often get them back in line.
If the doors are not sliding in a consistent manner, loosen the screw on the top pivot point bracket with an screwdriver and move it a little bit. Close the door and check if it is aligned well with the frame. If it does you can tighten the screw.
Another issue that is common to internal bifold doors is that the bottoms of the door scrape against the carpet. If this is the issue you can raise the bottom of the doors using the bottom pin adjustement. But if the door is too high, you'll need to remove the doors and trim them with the help of a saw.
The wood around pivot pins and anchors could crack over time. You can use epoxy to fix the crack and prevent it from getting any worse. Simply apply the epoxy in small amounts to the crack and let it dry before opening the door again.
If your bifold doors don't close or aren't aligning properly with the frame it could be due to the fact that they're too far from each other. You can solve this issue by moving the top of the door up or down on the track.
Attempting to do this by hand can be difficult and therefore it's recommended to have help doing this project. Pick up the exterior and interior panels of the door along the sides. Then, lift them up. Then stack them for less difficult handling.
If there are locking levers on the pivot bracket, let them go. them. Otherwise you can grab the top of the pin with a pair of vise grips and twist it from left to right, while pulling it out. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side of the door. After both pins are removed the door will then open and align with the track. If it doesn't then you can try again. You can use a drilling tool to straighten out the track if it's bent.
Reinstall the pin on the bottom.
If the bottom pin isn't functioning properly, the door may be stuck, preventing it from closing and opening easily. Fortunately, it is usually an easy fix. A missing or loose mounting bolt is often to blame. 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 previous one. Then, screw it in the correct position and tighten it.
If you're serious about your bifold repair project you should use an air pressure gauge to examine the top spring-loaded pin for proper compression. The gauge is also helpful in determining if the pin is cracked or broken, which is important information to have in case you are planning to replace it with a replacement.
An excellent way to determine if the current pivot pin is damaged or worn out is to measure its diameter and the diameter of the pin cap. Then, compare the measurements to what's available online for replacement parts. This will help you find the correct parts for your door.
Before you install the replacement pivot pin to the doors, open them and then lean them against one to ensure that they're in the correct position for installation. If made a post using a set of closet door knobs take care to draw a line of a level along the middle of the leading edge of each door. You can use a long level to ensure that the top bifold track is aligned with the jambs and is level.
After the doors are in place, insert the top pin into the pivot guide within the track and swing the bottom of the door down into position so that the bottom of the pin rests in the L-shaped bracket. If the door isn't fitting well between the top guide and the bottom bracket, adjust the height or lowering of the door as required by unscrewing or screwing in the adjustable pivot on the bottom of the door. Use a long level to mark a plumb line down the middle of the frame. If the gap between the side jamb of the hinge and the door is not even adjustable, adjust the pivot at the bottom.
Reinstall the Top Pin
A bifold door is a set of hinged panels that fold back on tracks to one side of the door opening. They come in different styles like solid or paneled and louvered. They can be used for closets, hallways, bedrooms, or laundry rooms. You can alter the position of a pair of bifolds that aren't working properly or scrape the floor by changing the top pivot and bottom pivot.
Take the top pin first from the upper track. Slide the bottom pin into the bracket, and then determine if there is an even and correct gap between the jamb side of the frame and the door.
If the gap is too large it is possible to raise the bottom of the door by loosening and fixing the pivot adjustable on the bottom of the door. This will nudge the door's bottom towards the frame and reduce the gap. You can also alter the height of the track hanger by loosening the screw on the bottom and then turning it using a wrench to reach the desired level.
After you have the track hanger and the bottom pin installed, it's time to mount the top track bracket on the hinge side of the door frame. For precise positioning, follow the instructions and diagrams included with the kit. Make sure that the track is flush and level with the floor prior to fixing it.
Find the width and height to ensure that you have the proper track and hardware kit. If you're unsure of the best way to install your bifold doors consult an expert installer to ensure that your installation is completed correctly. They can tell you if the bifold doors you've chosen are the correct size for the opening you have and can also assist you in selecting the most appropriate design of door that will fit your home. If needed, they will trim the doors so that they are sized to fit. This can help you save time and money in the long in the long.