Bifold Door Won't Close Properly: How to Repair

A bifold door is commonly used in many homes. Bifold doors usually enclose pantries, closets, and laundry rooms. Perhaps the most common disadvantage of using a bifold door is that it can be breakable; it can come off its tracks, the wheels may fall off its hinges, or even fail to slide properly.

To understand how to properly fix a bifold door that won’t close, one should learn first its working parts. At the lower part of a bifold door is the anchor consisting of a metal peg which fits right into a track; the peg adjusts by being screwed up and down. On top of the bifold door is a pivot loaded with spring, and a wheel which slides in the track. A hole holds in place the pivot. A screw, on the other hand, holds in place the said hole. When the screw is loosened, it allows the door to be adjusted at the upper pivot. Both the upper pivot and the wheel are loaded with springs, enabling both to remove from the track by pressing them down.

Repairing a bifold door can be very easy as long as one understands how the bifold door works.

Step 1 - Adjust the Outer Pin

Take out the door by pushing down the roller at the upper open edge and moving the edge back and forth. Hold the door by the side, lift it up and out. This will push down the pin, removing the base of the door from its hinge.

Look at the small bracket found on the wall side of the upper rail; there should be a hole in the middle, the spot where the pin loaded with spring is inserted. Ensure that the bracket is safely secured to the rail.

Bring the bracket to its initial position and tighten up the screw. The wear marks on the upper rail should help in locating the original position.

Step 2 - Ensure Movement

Check the lower external bracket if it has been screwed properly to the floor, as well as the external border of the doorway. Using a lubricating spray, spray the spring loaded pin on the upper part of the door and push it thrice. This will ensure movement of the door.

Step 3 - Adjust the Inner Roller

Repair the inner edge that swings out of place. Do this by fixing the roller loaded with spring that enables the door to glide close in the upper rail. Use lubricating spray to put some lubrication on the roller post. Push down the roller a couple of times: this should bounce back without any friction.

After this, push down the roller and move it backward and forward underneath the upper rail; do this until it gets back in place. When the roller is let go, it will ram against the rail; it should also stop from swinging out of place.

Examine the door to see that it operates smoothly. Make adjustments on the upper bracket if it does not properly close to the toe wall.