Get sticking shower doors back on track
Time An hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
CostLess than $20
Introduction
A dragging shower or bathtub door can permanently damage both the door and the track if ignored for too long. Learn the steps needed to fix it and get it running smoothly again.Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
Materials Required
- Replacement rollers
- Silicone spray lubricant
If the sliding doors on your shower or bathtub don’t glide smoothly, repair them soon. A door that drags on the lower track will eventually permanently damage both the door and the track. A dragging roller at the top of the door will wear and require replacement.
First, make sure the rollers on both doors are riding on the tracks inside the upper rail. Sometimes, one roller falls out of the track and the bottom edge of the door skids along the lower rail. In that case, you only have to lift the door and guide the roller back onto the track.
If an off-track roller isn’t the problem, you’ll have to remove the doors to adjust and possibly replace the rollers by following the steps below.
Project step-by-step (3)
Step 1
Remove the guide
Many doors have a small plastic guide in the middle of the lower rail. To remove this type of guide, just remove a single screw. Others have a guide rail screwed to the door (pictured above). Unscrew the guide at the lower edge of the sliding door. Protect the shower or tub from scratches with a drop cloth.
Step 2
Remove the doors
With the guide removed, lift the door from its track inside the upper rail and tilt each door in or out to remove it. Wipe both tracks clean, and then make sure the rollers turn easily. If they don’t, apply a little silicone spray lubricant. Some lubricants can harm plastic, so check the label. If the lubricant doesn’t do the trick, replace the rollers.
Most home centers and some hardware stores carry replacement rollers. Take an old roller with you to find a match. You can often use a replacement that’s slightly larger or smaller than the original. But be sure the original and replacement edges match—either rounded or flat (see photo of roller types). If you can’t find rollers locally, type “shower door parts” into any online search engine to find a supplier.
Step 3
Adjust or replace the rollers
Raise or lower each door by repositioning the roller in its slanted slot. Loosen the screw to move the roller. If replacing, screw the new rollers into place and re-hang the doors. You’ll probably have to remove the doors once or twice to adjust the rollers for smooth operation.
Originally Published: November 29, 2018
