When your sliding glass door becomes a test of strength when opening or closing it, it might be time to replace the rollers. There are two roller assemblies on the bottom of the door panel. Each assembly has two rollers that move up or down with an adjustment screw. Over time the rollers will bind, causing the door panel not to glide correctly in the rail. Replacement sliding glass door rollers are available through the manufacturer or at home improvement centers. It is necessary to remove the panel when you replace your sliding glass door rollers. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Remove Rollers
1. Open the sliding glass door to the half-open position. Find the access plugs for the roller adjustment screws on the bottom of the door; the plugs are round and match the color of the door. Some are on the face of the inside bottom rail, while other brands have them on the lower outside edges.
2. Pry the access plugs off with a utility knife. Turn the adjustment screw inside the access hole counterclockwise with a flat-head screwdriver. This raises the rollers into the bottom of the door, and lowers the door panel.
3. Find the screws or nails securing the headstop to the top of the sliding glass door. The headstop is the trim that covers the length of the top rail. Remove the screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver, and pull the headstop off the door. If you have nails securing the headstop, carefully pry the headstop off the door with a small pry bar.
4. Grab each side of the sliding glass door panel and lift the panel straight up until the bottom is above the lower track rail. Swing the bottom toward you, and pull the sliding glass panel out of the door. The panel is heavy and awkward; consider asking a friend to help remove the panel.
5. Place the sliding glass door panel on a pair of saw horses. Pry each of the rollers out of the bottom edge of the panel with a flat-head screwdriver. The rollers are commonly held in place through friction. Depending upon the model, some have a spring clip that engages in the door frame. Pry in the direction opposite the spring clip, and pull the roller out of the door.
Install Rollers
6. Install the rollers into the bottom edge of the door frame, lining up the adjustment screw with the hole in the door frame. If your roller assemblies have a spring clip, insert the spring clip into the frame where the previous roller attached. It might be necessary to bend the spring clip slightly. Be careful so you do not create a crease in the spring clip if slight bending is necessary.
7. Turn the adjustment screws counterclockwise with the screwdriver until both rollers on the assembly are near flush with the bottom of the door rail.
8. Lift the sliding glass door panel off the saw horses and position it in front of the door tracks inside the room. Angle the top of the sliding glass door panel into the upper track. Push the panel into the upper track until the bottom of the panel swings over the top of the lower track rail. Gently lower the panel into the lower track rail.
9. Reattach the headstop over the side of the upper track. Turn the adjustment screws at the bottom of the sliding glass door panel clockwise, until the door panel glides smoothly across the opening. Turn each adjustment screw an equal number of turns when making adjustments. Push the access plugs into the holes with your thumb.
Tags: door panel, glass door, sliding glass door, sliding glass, spring clip, glass door panel
