How to Repair a Bifold Door Top Pivot
A bifold closet door's top pivot may be loosened and scrape the floor. This can be corrected by loosening the screw that holds the top bracket.
The top pivot pin is a metal screw that fits into a cap made of plastic with an end that is lipped and stays within the track, above the door. You'll also need an screwdriver and perhaps two pliers.
Take the Bottom Pin off
Bifold doors are the ideal option to make space in your closet, however over time they may start to fall off the floor, or fall out of the brackets. You can fix most problems by making a few simple adjustments.
The most frequent issue is a loose bottom pin or bracket. You can adjust the track by pressing the spring-loaded wheel onto the top of the door and swinging it into the proper position. Once the gap is adjusted, tighten the screw fixing the top pivot bracket in order to keep the door in its place.
The most frequent issue is the bottom edge of the door scrapes against the carpet. This can be caused by the addition of carpet or the flooring material. It could also be a result of an unbalanced gap between the hinge and the door jamb. This can be fixed by loosening the top guide, sliding it sideways or removing the pivot point at the top.
The last issue that is common is when the upper track becomes misaligned with the door frame and this issue can be resolved by loosening the top set screw and adjusting it out as required. After you've adjusted all the nuts and bolts holding the track in place, you should be able to slide it back into its track bracket and secure it with the screw.
To remove the pin that is on the bottom of the bracket, lift the panels a bit and then hold them together. Release the locking levers on the bottom bracket to let the pin go. If the pin isn't mounted on a bracket for mounting, place a flat-head screwdriver between the bottom of the pivot flange and the door to pull it off of the door. Once you've gotten a firm grip on the pin and you are able to remove it and turn it left to right. If you aren't able to pull the pin out, you may have to remove the panel from the track. If this is the case, then put it on a set of saw horses to make it easier to handle.
Remove the Top Pin
They are great for saving space, but can be frustrating if they start to sag, scrape the floor, or even veer off track. Simple adjustments can often get them back in line.
If the doors are sliding unevenly you can loosen the screw on the top pivot point bracket using a 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 internal bifold doors can scrape the carpet. If this is the issue you can raise the door's bottom using the bottom pin adjustment. If the door is too high, you'll need to remove the doors and trim them using a saw.
As time passes over time, the wood around the pivot and anchor pins may crack. It is possible to use epoxy to fix the crack and prevent it from becoming worse. Simply apply an amount of epoxy to the crack and allow it to dry before opening the door again.
If your bifold doors aren't closing properly or aligning properly with the frame It could be because they're too far apart. You can fix this by moving top of the door upwards or downwards on the track.
Doing this by hand can be a challenge and it's advisable to get help when performing this task. Take the interior and exterior panels of the door on the sides. Then lift them up. Then stack them for less difficult handling.
If there are locking levers on the pivot bracket, release them. Grab the top of pin with a pair pliers and turn it from left to right while pulling it out. Repeat the procedure on the other side of the door. Once both pins are removed, the door will open and align with the track. If it doesn't work then you can try again. You can use a drilling tool to straighten the track if it's bent.
Reinstall the Bottom Pin
If the bottom pin isn't working properly, the door may become stuck, hindering it from closing and opening smoothly. Fortunately, the problem is usually easy to repair. A damaged or loose bolt for mounting is often the reason. If this is the case, the best option is to replace the screw with a brand new one that's exactly the same length as the previous one. Then screw it into place and tighten.
If you're serious about your bifold repair you should use an air pressure gauge to test the top pin that is spring loaded for proper compression. The gauge can be used to determine if the pin is damaged or cracked. This is crucial information if you plan on replacing it.
Measuring the diameter of the cap on the pin and the diameter of the pivot pin will allow you to determine if the pin is worn out or damaged. Compare the measurements to what you can find online for replacements. This will help you find the correct parts for your door.
Before RepairMyWindowsAndDoors install the replacement pivot pin to the doors, open them and lean them against each other to ensure they're in the right position to be installed. If you're using a set of knobs for closet doors make sure you draw a line of a level along the middle of the leading edge of each door. Utilizing a long-lasting level to do this so you can be sure the top bifold track is level and in perfect alignment with the jambs.
After the doors have been put in After the doors are installed, place the top pin in the pivot guide in the track. Then, you can swivel the bottom of the door until the pin is seated on the L-shaped bracket. If the door does not fit well between the top guide and the bottom bracket, adjust the height or lowering of the door as needed by removing or installing the adjustable pivot on the bottom of the door. Make sure that the gap between the door and the hinge side jamb is even by using a long level and drawing an arc of plumb across the middle of the door frame.
Reinstall the pin with the top
Bifolds are hinged panels that fold back on tracks and then placed on either side of the door opening. They come in various styles, including solid or paneled and louvered. They can be used for hallways, closets, bedrooms, or laundry rooms. If you already have a pair of bifold doors which scrape the floor or don't function properly, it's possible to adjust them by changing the top and bottom pivots.
Begin by removing the top pin from the upper track and pivot guide. Place the bottom pin in the bracket, and then see if there is 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 large you can make it smaller by loosening the pivot at the bottom of your door. This will move the door's bottom toward the frame, and reduce the gap. You can adjust the height of the track hanger by loosening the screw on the bottom of the track, and then adjusting the angle using a wrench.
Once you have the track hanger and bottom pin back in place, it's now time to install the top track bracket on the hinge-side of the door frame. For precise positioning, use the instructions and diagrams included with your kit. Make sure that the track is aligned and flush with the floor prior to fixing it to the floor.
When installing a track, measure the width and height of the door opening to be sure that you have the right dimension of track and the appropriate hardware kit. Contact a professional installer for guidance if you're not sure what to do to install bifold doors. They can tell you if the bifold doors you have are the right size for your opening and can also assist you in selecting the right style of door that suits your home. They can also trim the doors to fit, if needed. This can save you time and money.