Tricks for tuning up a sagging bifold.
Time 1 hour
ComplexityBeginner
CostLess than $20
Introduction
After a few years of use, bifold doors often start to sag, scrape against the floor or pop out of their brackets. Three basic adjustments will usually get them back on track.Tools Required
- Assorted drill bits
- Drill
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Ladder or stepstool
- Level
- Philip's head screwdriver
- Pliers
- Rubber mallet
- Saw horses
Materials Required
- Bifold closet door hardware
Are you fed up with your bifold closet doors not working properly? Bifold doors are great for saving space, but it’s frustrating when they constantly fall off the track, which seems to happen to them all. The common culprits that tend to make bifold doors jump off their track are misalignment, broken parts, or holes in the anchor/pivot pins. Fortunately, these are all straightforward fixes that any DIYer can handle.
If you’re lucky, sometimes simply tightening the screws that have become loose over time can solve the issue. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me; the previous owner didn’t install the correct hardware, so almost everything needed to be replaced. Luckily, replacement parts can be found online or in most home centers. If you are unsure of what you need, take the damaged parts with you to the store to guarantee you get the correct replacements and avoid an extra run to the hardware.
Project step-by-step (15)
Step 1
Fixing Bifold Door Aligners
Inspect the doors
To identify where the issues are occurring, Close the closet doors and carefully examine the edge of the doors as they line up with the frame. They should be parallel and line up nicely.
Step 2
Loosen the top setscrews
To start, open the door and then use a screwdriver to loosen the top set screw for the top bracket slightly.
Step 3
Adjust the doors
Adjust the bifold doors by closing them. Align the edge of the closed door parallel to the frame by pushing or pulling the top of the door. Close the door to verify smooth operation and to observe how the doors meet when closed. When you find that perfect spot, mark the bracket location.
Step 4
Tighten the top setscrew
Carefully open the door to prevent the pivot from slipping, then use a screwdriver to tighten the top setscrew. Use a level to check the alignment and you may need to perform these steps multiple times for both doors to achieve perfect alignment.
Step 5
Check the bottom bracket mounting
Sometimes the entire bracket comes loose because the mounting screws are stripped, broken, or missing. You’ll need to remove the door to fix the stripped/broken screws. Once you mount the bracket correctly, test the door for smooth, non-binding operation by opening and closing it several times. You may have to readjust the top pivot bracket to make the door parallel to the frame again. The bottom pivot often loosens and slips. Depending on the type of hardware you have, you can either raise the door slightly to shift the pivot in or out or loosen the set screw and shift the bracket seat.
Step 6
Fixing Top Pivot Pins
Remove the door and inspect for cracked wood
To make working on the door easier, push down on the spring-loaded top pivot pin and gently lift the door off the lower bracket to remove it. Place it on the floor or a set of saw horses and examine the bottom and top edges.
Over time, the wood can crack where the top and bottom anchor and pivot pins sit. If there is a small crack, try gluing and clamping the wood back together. For larger splits, consider purchasing a corner-mount bi-fold door repair bracket for a permanent fix. You can skip this step if it doesn’t apply to your situation.
Step 7
Remove the anchor pins
If the anchor or pivot pins have sunk into the wood or are wobbly, you will need to remove them by using a screwdriver or pliers. Also, If the pins are damaged, they must be replaced.
Step 8
Install new anchor pins
If the replacement anchor or pivot pins you are using are larger than the old ones, you will need to drill the hole bigger to accommodate them. The hole size will depend on the size of the new pins. Gently push the pins into place or use a rubber mallet to tap them in.
Step 9
Reinstall the door
Place the door back in its original position, following the same steps you used to remove it. Check the door to ensure it functions properly, and make any necessary adjustments.
Step 10
Fixing Bifold Door Track or Roller
Remove the door
Remove the door by pushing down on the spring-loaded pivot pin and gently lifting it off the lower bracket.
Step 11
Inspect the roller and track
If you have rattling doors that are not rolling smoothly on their track, it could be due to a bent track or a damaged roller. In some cases, both issues may be present. To fix the problem, use a screwdriver or pliers to remove the broken roller and replace it with a new one. Gently tap the new roller into place with a rubber mallet to ensure a secure fit.
Step 12
Repair or replace the track
To remove the track, you will need to use a drill to unscrew the screws that are holding it in place. Once the track is removed, try to bend the damaged area back into place. Next, test the new roller by ensuring that it moves smoothly along the track. If the damage is too severe, fixing the track may not be possible, and you will need to purchase a replacement track instead.
Step 13
Reinstall the track
When installing the repaired or new track, ensure you position it correctly on the left or right-hand side, depending on where you want the stationary pivot to be. Then, use a drill to fix it into its original position.
Step 14
Reinstall the door
Finally, restore the door to its original position using the same steps you followed to remove it. Check the door to ensure it operates smoothly and make any necessary adjustments.
Step 15
FAQs
What are bifold closet doors?
Bifold doors offer a practical and space-efficient option for accessing your closet. These doors fold together and are specifically designed to optimize the use of space in your room. They need a door track and additional hardware for installation.
How do you fix a bifold door handle?
To reattach the knob, you just need to apply a small amount of epoxy inside the knob hole. Additionally, if the screwhead is causing the door to pull, you can place a washer underneath it. It’s important to let the epoxy set for a full day before using the knob again.
How do you fix a bifold door that is scraping the floor?
Adding carpet or changing the flooring material may cause the bottom of an existing bifold door to scrape along the floor. First, try to raise the door to clear the carpet using the bottom pivot adjustment. But usually, you have to trim the bottom of the doors by removing them and trimming them with a circular saw.
Originally Published: June 20, 2017
