Adjusting closet doors can make them line up perfectly.
Bifold and sliding closet doors need periodic maintenance and adjustment. These types of doors require less space to open and close than hinged solid panel doors. This makes them a popular choice for rooms with space restrictions. The downside is that bifold and sliding closet doors have more moving parts and require more maintenance than doors hung with hinges. When properly adjusted, a closed set of bifold doors will have a 1/8-inch gap where they meet, and the top of the doors will be even with each other. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Bifold Doors
1. Close the doors and inspect the gap between the doors and along the door jamb. Determine which door is out of alignment. Open both doors to verify that they do not rub across the floor.
2. Inspect the top track for damage. The top track is the metal rail that the door retaining pin slides across when the bifolds are opened and closed. It is mounted to the door opening above the door. Remove any debris with a rag. Tighten any loose mounting screws with a screwdriver.
3. Loosen the set screw on the top retaining bracket with a screwdriver. The top retaining bracket is mounted to the top track near the wall. It is the part that holds the stationary retaining pin in place. There are two retaining pins on each door--one slides across the top track, while the other remains in place.
4. Close the door. Adjust the retaining bracket until the top of the door is parallel with the top track. Use a permanent marker to make a check mark on the bracket. Open the door and tighten the retaining bracket set screw when it lines up with the check mark.
5. Adjust the bottom retaining bracket. The bottom retaining bracket is mounted to the floor. It is designed to hold the pivot screw in place. Lift the bottom of the door and slide it into its correct position along the bracket. Some brackets have a set screw that needs to be loosened first.
6. Adjust the height of the door by turning the pivot screw. The pivot screw is a threaded metal shaft with a cone-shaped head. It screws into the bottom of the door. The cone head sets in the bottom retaining bracket's hole. Place shims under the door until it is at the right height. Turn the pivot screw until it starts to raise the door off of the shims.
7. Apply a drop of oil to each hinge. Wipe the excess off with a rag.
8. Open and close the doors several times to verify that they do not bind or scrape the floor or door jambs. Make sure they close evenly. Readjust as necessary.
Sliding Doors
9. Clean the top track with a rag. Tighten any loose mounting screws. Damaged top tracks must be replaced.
10. Oil the wheel bearings with a light oil. The wheel bearings will be found in the center of the slider wheel. The slider wheel rolls across the top track. Place a single drop of oil on the rivet that holds the wheel to the adjustment bracket.
11. Loosen the height adjustment set screw on the slider wheel bracket. There are two slider wheel brackets at the top of every door panel. The wheel brackets connect the slider wheel to the door.
12. Place shims under the door to adjust the height. The door should be parallel to the floor. Tighten the height adjustment set screw.
13. Adjust the bottom guide bracket. It can be found mounted to the floor in the center of the door opening. This bracket keeps the bottom of the sliding door from swinging. If it is too low, remove the screws, insert a shim and install longer screws. If it is out of alignment, loosen the screws, twist the bracket as needed and tighten the screws.
Tags: retaining bracket, slider wheel, pivot screw, bottom retaining, bottom retaining bracket
