How to Make 1970s Sliding Glass Doors Look Nice Again

Dan is a licensed electrician and has been a homeowner for forty years. He has nearly always done his own repair and improvement tasks.

Repairing Sliding Glass Doors

Common Culprits: Worn-Out Rollers or Debris in the Rail

Somewhen, every sliding drinking glass (or patio) door will need help. They go harder and harder to open and close over time, and the almost common problem is that the rollers they slide on but vesture out. The door used every bit an example in this article finally got and so hard to move that children could barely open it and the handle broke off from excessive strength. It was (past) time to do something!

The almost obvious showtime effort should exist to clean the runway out (remove whatsoever debris, small rocks or gravel, etc.). Vacuum the rail thoroughly and meet if there is any comeback; this is sometimes all it takes and is quick and easy to do.

If cleaning the track doesn't work, endeavor to adjust the rollers. This is part of whatever repair work and is explained beneath with pictures showing where the adjustment screw tin be found.

When to Replace Rollers

While adjusting the rollers sometimes helps, it is usually an indication that they are wearing out and volition need replacement in the future. Rollers on the example door were adjusted some time back, and it worked for a couple of years, but eventually, they only needed to be replaced. If replacement is necessary, begin by removing the door from the track.

Step 1: Remove the Door From the Track

While it may be necessary to remove the outer door first, this is non usually required. In virtually all cases the upper track of the door is deeper than the lower track and the door is not and then tall that it actually reaches the top. This is then that the door can exist picked upwardly enough so that the roller assembly tin can articulate the bottom track.

Removal is mostly quite simple:

Raise the door further into the top runway and pull the lesser towards the inside. If the inside room is a hardwood floor or fifty-fifty vinyl tile flooring information technology is recommended that some kind of embrace be provided to sit down the door on so equally not to scratch or paring the flooring.

Proceed this process until the top of the door comes free from the upper runway and removal is complete. If you have trouble doing this it may help to adjust the rollers completely upwards into the door; see the final paragraph for instructions on adjusting the rollers.

Sliding glass doors tin can be quite heavy and information technology may assistance to use a pry bar to lift them. In add-on, it may crave help to carry the door or even to slide information technology on the floor. When the door is removed, it is best to lay on a carpeted floor on its edge as shown in the photos; the work to be washed volition exist easier.

The example door had a major problem in removal: over the 30-year life bridge of the door, both the floor and ceiling had warped very slightly. Information technology wasn't enough to prevent the operation of the door, only the upper track had a very slight bow down and the bottom track had a similar bow upwards. The result was that the door could not exist lifted enough to clear the bottom track even with a prybar.

The respond was to employ a small grinder and very advisedly remove a pocket-size amount of metallic from the bottom runway. The very upper portion of the track on the inside was removed downwardly to floor level; when the door is installed information technology nevertheless fits below this level and is thus notwithstanding supported merely would now articulate the lower track when raised into the upper track. If you have trouble getting the door high enough to slide the lesser out yous might cheque for this problem.

Beginning step was to clean this runway and see if information technology helped.

Dan Harmon

The screw seen hither is to remove the roller associates. The adjustment screw is behind the pigsty under the removal screw. The roller rides on the raised department of track most the heart of the door.

Dan Harmon

The door is removed and the section of track the roller rides on is plainly visible.

Dan Harmon

Step 2: Replace the Rollers

The roller assemblies are visible at the bottom of the door, near the sides (see photos). Although typically held in place with a unmarried spiral, your door will likely exist slightly unlike and you will accept to find the spiral(s) that hold the assembly.

Gyre to Proceed

Read More From Dengarden

Remove whatsoever screws holding the roller assembly in place and remove that assembly. At this point, there are two options: either supercede the entire assembly or just the roller. (Replacement of the entire assembly is preferable, as it is much simpler.) Individual rollers are available, but will nigh likely crave using a drill to drill out the rivet belongings the current roller in identify, and plumbing fixtures a new roller into the assembly.

Whether ownership either an entire associates or just rollers, an verbal replacement is necessary; while assemblies may well be similar they are very unlikely to actually work if not identical. Take the assembly to the store or utilize exact measurements to find a replacement. Replacement rollers may have a screw and nut organisation to hold them in place instead of rivets; make certain that there is sufficient room for the screw and nut if you are replacing just the roller.

In the instance, a local habitation improvement store had both; a pair of rollers was $six while two complete assemblies were only $vii. The option was obvious, and two consummate roller assemblies were purchased. Amazon offers many such roller assemblies, but it is important to brand absolutely sure you are purchasing the correct assembly for your door.

Fit the new assembly (or the old one with new rollers) into the door frame in the same manner equally they came out and put the fastening screws back into the frame. Information technology is wise to arrange the rollers upwardly into the door as far as possible to make installing the door easier; the next section gives those instructions.

The door is re-installed the same way information technology came out: insert the door into the upper runway and slide the bottom of the door over the lower track. The center of the door should line up on the section of track the roller rides on, but it can be moved later if you lot find during the roller adjustment phase that it isn't centered properly.

The edge of the inner track has been ground down to permit removal of the door.

Dan Harmon

Old and new roller assemblies. They are virtually identical, every bit is necessary.

Dan Harmon

Roller assembly. The height spiral is to remove the associates, while the lower on is the adjustment screw and is reached through a pigsty in the door frame.

Dan Harmon

Removing the top screw that holds the roller assembly in identify.

Dan Harmon

Pace three: Adjust the Rollers

The final step in the process is to adjust the door rollers. Using a screwdriver (probably a Phillips type), plough the adjustment screw until the door itself is raised only slightly off the bottom track. As the adjustment screw is turned it pushes the actual roller wheel down which is what pushes the door up.

This spiral will probably exist turned in a clockwise motility to move the roller down and the door upward, but it may be necessary to plough it the other way depending on the associates that fits your door. Await the spiral to turn quite easily for a few turns but and so get considerably harder to turn every bit the roller comes into contact with the rails and begins to heighten the door. It may aid to heighten the door very slightly with a screwdriver or prybar equally that will make information technology easier to plough the adjustment screw. But don't raise it and then far that the roller comes off the rail and allows the lesser of the door to move sideways.

Adjusting this screw is done to reach ii things; to raise the door so that it does not drag on the bottom and to plumb the door. After the door is raised and sliding freely, shut the door and conform one roller over again until the door is square with the door frame. The edge of the door should just bear on the door frame all the style upward and down the closed side.

Re-install the exterior door if you have moved it and the task is complete. You have successfully completed your task of sliding glass door repair and installed new patio door rollers. Your door is ready for many more years of service and information technology didn't cost an arm and a leg to do it.

This article is authentic and true to the all-time of the author's cognition. Content is for informational or amusement purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: Why on earth would you grind off the inner lip? Usually, this is at that place to stop water ingress, and removing information technology does not make sense. To remove the door, yous may demand to remove the fixed panel first. Commonly, this is every bit simple as removing a few screws. The door will so come out easily by lifting it.

Answer: The inner lip is ground because the door cannot be lifted--the upper and lower tracks were likewise close together to elevator the doors plenty to clear the bottom rails. And in that location are no screws that can exist removed to modify that.

Question: Can I motion a fixed patio glass door from the left side over to the right side? I don't want to open up my door from the correct side anymore. I desire to open up information technology from the left side.

Reply: It might be possible with some doors, just go along in listen that the latch, and the cutout in the frame for that latch, is generally on the right (looking from the inside).

Question: Hello, how can I determine what make our 20-year-sometime sliding glass door is to replace the wheels with the correct replacement?

Answer: I'k sorry, but I can't help yous here. About the merely thing you could do is find someone that recognizes information technology, and that's going to be very nearly incommunicable. If you accept a dwelling repair shop (Lowes, Home Depot, Hechinger, etc.) nearby, I advise you take the old roller there and ask for aid. Across that, all that I can suggest is to try and match pictures and measurements with what yous can find on the spider web - Amazon has some and more are available from other sources.

Sorry, I tin't be of more aid.

Question: My sliding glass door will not stop freezing over. So bad to the signal I have to chisel the water ice abroad to get out of the door. What should I do to keep my sliding drinking glass door from freezing?

Answer: Unless the water is coming from the outside, it seems that you have a rather bad air leak through the door. Air is coming in and cooling the air at the door, causing water to course on the door and track, and and then freeze. You might attempt sealing the door as best you tin.

Question: Is a plastic bearing with steel brackets good enough for sliding doors?

Respond: A nylon bearing is not unusual in many applications. Information technology should exist fine if well synthetic and designed for the purpose yous're using information technology for.

© 2011 Dan Harmon

Vincent on June 24, 2020:

Nicely-written website, with good advice--but WAY likewise many ads!!! Specially the horribly annoying pop-ups, at least 1 of which obscures virtually the entire screen!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on June 18, 2019:

An impact driver should practice the fox. Or possibly another drill. Or a minor impact driver is bachelor that uses a hammer to provide both impact and turning force.

Sherry on June 18, 2019:

My contractor installed the adjustment spiral with a power drill instead of just a screwdriver. At present if I try to remove the adjustment screw, I can't have information technology out in order to remove the sliding door. What tin can i exercise?

Dan Harmon (writer) from Boise, Idaho on October 27, 2017:

Wow. I've never ever seen such a door. Best guess, though is what yous already said - either the rollers are misadjusted or just the wrong roller for the door. As a distant third possibility, is there something defenseless nigh the center of the door that it is rocking on? The simply reason I enquire is that it seems nearly impossible for a 7 year old to pull the handle difficult enough to choice up 1 end...unless there is a fulcrum near the middle that it can rock on.

Claire on October 27, 2017:

We have a serious safety outcome with a ranchslider door 'jumping' out of the tracks entirely and falling over. It's occurred 4 times now; twice we were lucky enough to grab it, but twice information technology has gone correct over and smashed the panes (it's a very old door that slides on the outside of the fixed pane, then falls out of the house, away from the person opening it). I couldn't figure out how on earth it was happening since it sits properly in the track, but I got to watch it all in slow-motion action yesterday when my 7yo son opened it - luckily he didn't effort to hold on to the handle or he would have been pulled over with it and concluded up among and frame and smashed glass. It seems that while it slides smoothly when pulled gently, if tugged (possibly with the door latch however partially closed so that it catches) it somehow 'rocks' one terminate upwardly and out of the track at the lesser, then the other end pops out as well equally information technology rocks dorsum the other way. It then of course drops down, comes out of the upper track and goes over with a crash.

This is a new event that only started after the rollers were replaced - is this probable to be an issue with the new rollers existence incorrectly adapted (As well loftier? Too depression? - they seem to roll smoothly plenty, but are jumping off the track and making the door hard to open up on a regular footing even when the whole lot isn't falling out entirely), or might it but exist that they were replaced with the wrong rollers that just don't fit right?

I'd rather not replace the whole thing if I tin can help information technology, merely at this betoken I take to if I tin can't find a solution, otherwise someone volition exist seriously injured :-(

The other event is that even if we manage to ready the falling out issue, the weather brush stripping is all worn out and the door rattles and lets the wind in - any suggestions on how to pull the sometime strip and feed new stuff into the groove? Thanks :-)

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on July 12, 2017:

Either the slider is not on the track properly or the stationary door has moved slightly, until information technology contacts the slider. The two should never contact the other, although they Will come very shut.

Tomas on July 12, 2017:

The sliding door get caught with the other door edge what could be the problem when we close the door

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on May xx, 2017:

I wouldn't think so - the door should remove towards the inside, not the outside. It is possible, though, that information technology will take to be removed.

RaeG80 on May 20, 2017:

Howdy I am trying to remove my sliding door to fix the rollers. All this seems quite easy except I have a centre support post I think it is on the ooutside of sliding door. Do I need to remove this to get the door out?

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on May 17, 2017:

I see. You lot have two adjustments, one at each side of the door. The likely problem is that they are very slightly unlike. Endeavour adjusting only one side slightly, moving the roller down and the door up; that should change the angle of the door, either making the 2 friction match or making it worse. If worse, of class, adjust the other side of the door.

Or are the doors pushed apart, with the bottom of the moving door moved out from the fixed door (towards the inside of the house)? If so, it is probably off the track, with the roller riding apartment on the flooring instead of the raised track. I accept ane, though, where the Fixed door has moved. The screw holding it down stripped out over the years, allowing that door to movement towards the within of the firm, and causing the moving door to rub on it. The opposite of what you say. I had to build my own small bracket to screw it to the floor.

Chris on May 17, 2017:

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I think I poorly explained the problem.

The doors do not close perfectly leaving a slight gap between the doors at the lesser.

They close perfectly at the top but there is a one/4 inch gap at the lesser.

Thanks in advance

Dan Harmon (writer) from Boise, Idaho on May 17, 2017:

The doors should non affect the lesser of the runway; they should ride on the rollers, which will hold them just off the lesser. They should, withal, fit within the outer guides and lower than the tops of the guides. If they cannot be adjusted to this position, merely off the bottom and then every bit non to drag, then in that location is something wrong with the rollers.

Chris on May 17, 2017:

My doors are very similar to the ones shown here, but they practise not touch fully at the bottom at present.

Whatsoever suggestions for adjusting them please.

Dan Harmon (writer) from Boise, Idaho on May 05, 2017:

Can't help you there. If yous broke ane, though, you tin become a glass shop to supervene upon it.

Ron on May 05, 2017:

Where can I buy a new single sliding glass patio door?

Erwin on January 06, 2017:

Very helpful link. Thank you!

worrying on November 01, 2015:

Take difficult y keeping firm safe despite trying all types of locks. Are patio doors openable if they are double lock types.

Dan Harmon (writer) from Boise, Idaho on August 21, 2015:

No, I have simply replaced with original manner rollers. I doubtable it would have a lot of modification to employ a dissimilar fashion if it is possible at all. Good luck worth whatever you choose!

Shari F on Baronial 21, 2015:

I replaced our rollers in one of our sliding glass doors final weekend. The type of rollers in the door were Barton Kramer 467. This type of model uses a scroll pin to secure the roller into the door, instead of a screw. I replaced the rollers on the door, information technology took forever considering the roll pin would not fit into the hole provided. Now BOTH my doors won't slide. I am going to get a track cover now as well but wanted to know if I tin purchase dissimilar rollers to put in the door? I really don't want to mess with the curl pin parts again and would much rather use an updated model that uses a screw. Accept you always washed this? Looking for some advice ..

chrissieklinger from Pennsylvania on February 08, 2013:

Our door isn't real eay to move, but I only figured we had heavy doors. Now I wonder if we should look into replacing the rollers. We do utilize the door a lot and it is over x years old. Nonetheless, I remember this will have to wait until the spring!

Penelope Hart from Rome, Italy on February 08, 2013:

We had sliding glass doors for years and had such a hard time cleaning them, getting them off the runners. They were terribly heavy and they were the first of their kind, earlier they became stylish in the 70's. This is top stuff, wish I'd establish you back then!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on Feb 07, 2013:

@Fellow: That'south exactly what happened to me; the smaller children could no longer open and close the door and fifty-fifty the older ones at ix or 10 years had a tough time of it. As that door opens into their play room it was a bit of a problem.

Hopefully a skillful cleaning will help, just if not it's worth replacing the rollers. Much easier and cheaper than replacing the whole door!

Fellow Mumbaite from Bharat on Feb 07, 2013:

This is exactly what I was looking for...a neat hub and good advice. My drinking glass door has harden so much lately, that it gets actually exhaustive opening and closing information technology. My child has totally given upwards and me too on the aforementioned rail. I was wondering if the doors were request for a replacement. But I think I am going to attempt out these unproblematic pace cleaning technique and follow upwardly your advice. Cheers voting up:)

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on February 07, 2013:

@JustAskSusan: absolutely, try cleaning the track showtime; that's usually the problem. Eventually, though, everything wears out and information technology will need new rollers.

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on Feb 07, 2013:

What a useful hub. I didn't know that you could replace the rollers. Ours is getting a flake stiff when we open it and so I'll try your suggestion of cleaning the track first. This time of twelvemonth we get a little bit of an ice build upwards equally the door is used quite a scrap with letting the dogs in and out all the time.

Barry on January 31, 2013:

Thanks - I volition give information technology a attempt when that roller gets worse.

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on January 31, 2013:

Unfortunately, you lot volition have to drill out at least the rivet. In one case that is out the starwheel will likely follow, just it too could demand drilled.

Barry on January 29, 2013:

Good commodity. I tin go my door out. The door was installed in 1968. The trouble is the roller is held in on 1 side by a rivet and the other side has a starwheel/fix screw arrangment for adjusting the roller top. The rollers are well-nigh 6" from the door end. How do I become the roller out? Do I need to drill out the rivet and starwheel or is there another trick?

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on January 15, 2013:

My first guess is that one or both of the rollers isn't installed correctly, that it is moving inside the door. One direction forces it down, while the other management allows it to rise, dropping the door. Before removing the door again, yous might check that the aligning for both rollers are firmly screwed downward, raising the door. I've used a long, small screwdriver to reach in and come across if I could "wiggle" the rollers upward and down; if I can information technology is non adjusted properly.

I've also had a piece of the stationary aluminum door come loose and elevate on the other door. One management tends to fold it back where it belongs and the door slides easily while the other direction tends to force information technology further out and jam. You lot could really meet where the door was being gouged past the stationary door with the loose metal.

VC_93003 on Jan fifteen, 2013:

Hullo! I know it'due south an one-time thread. But, quick question. Handyman has replaced rollers. Door at present closes nice and easy. But, if y'all open the door it drags and shudders to open. What could that be? Is there more than just rollers? Thank yous over again and again for your aid. Information technology was a great how to.

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September fourteen, 2011:

That sounds similar the thing to do all right. One affair yous might look for; if the rollers accept broken off they tin foreclose the door from sliding out. I've had to pick up the door with a crowbar then carefully reach through the gap at the bottom and lift the roller with a putty knife. In that location was but enough clearance with the door up to do that and information technology was really the merely way to get the door out. The broken roller would e'er catch on the rail because the aligning screw couldn't elevator information technology.

Delight practise permit me know how it goes - I would be interested in the concluding event.

mctaby on September fourteen, 2011:

I meant 12 anxiety...!

mctaby on September 14, 2011:

I agree with you. I do not know how this guy from home depot performs service to client like that. When he said taht it sounds easy, but when I take a expect at my door, it doest.

I plan to take the prepare panel first. It has two stoppers top and lesser to remove. Then, I will use a flat crowbar to raise the door, and pull it out from the bottom. The rollers seems to be bost because the adjusted spiral don't practice anything. A sliding door 12" wide similar this should be installed the frame outset and then the panels. So with a little patience and intendance, I should be able to remove all panels. I will let you know how it goes after the weekend.

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September 14, 2011:

Y'all are more than welcome, and I appreciate your letting me know of your experience.

Like you, it probably took me longer to drive to town and find the rollers than it did to install them but that's all right. As you say, it's far cheaper than putting a new door in and a lot less work too.

Glad information technology went so well for you lot.

Leah Lefler from Western New York on September fourteen, 2011:

Wilderness, I only had to write and say THANK YOU for writing this hub. Nosotros just finished our "project" and it was pretty easy. It took a while to find the correct rollers at the hardware store, but we finally did discover them - and the door is sliding freely now. This saved the states a lot of coin!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September 14, 2011:

I'm afraid that I can't be of much assistance here. I would be really afraid to try to take the door frame apart (which information technology sounds like yous are being advised to do) without being able to get it out of the frame. Information technology seems like the weather tight seam would likely be compromised all as well easily.

It as well sounds like you likely accept the same kind of trouble I had. I simply can't see a manufacturer making a door that must have the entire frame removed from the surrounding wall to repair or replace the rollers, broken glass, etc.

I tried to remove the door by going outside as the exterior lip was shorter, merely establish the exact same trouble every bit the outside door was just a footling taller and that door would not come out any more than the inner one would come to the within.

How much as well tall is the inner lip? Can you remove a small part of it through grinding, filing, etc?

mctaby on September 14, 2011:

I have a double sliding door 96"x36", which I retrieve it requires to remove the two prepare panels at the ends beginning considering they are on the outside, and the gap of the floor inside the house in also loftier.

I went to home depot, and one of the employee said he doesn't need to remove the door in most cases to install new rollers. He start pulled the roller in with the adjuster spiral, the remove the two screws at the summit and bottom side of the door. And so, with a rubber hammer, he hits the side frame of the door to remove it and supercede the roller from the side without taking out the door.

I have not found whatsoever mail given this tip, and non sure if I tin can exercise that in my 96" door. God helps

6 me this calendar week end. Any tip of knowledge is greater appreciate

Dan Harmon (writer) from Boise, Idaho on September 12, 2011:

No, they are not and then heavy that a smaller, 8-fifteen" crow bar would be insufficient and even a large screwdriver is plenty to shift it enough to articulate the rails. Every bit you say, using a big i would have simply cracked the glass every bit the door here could NOT go up enough to clear.

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the annotate.

Dallas W Thompson from Bakersfield, CA on September 12, 2011:

I am glad you did not opt to get a bigger crow bar (pry bar) to attempt to lift out the patio door! Enjoyed the article. flag upwards!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September 11, 2011:

It's a corking option to buying and installing a whole new patio door. The door replaced here was so hard to open that the handle had broken off from simply opening and closing the door, but it now slides equally good as new.

Leah Lefler from Western New York on September 11, 2011:

I'm glad I saw this 1 on my home folio - our sliding glass door is getting stiffer and stiffer, and only the "grown-ups" can open up it - with a LOT of force. We were starting to look at getting a new door, only this would be a LOT cheaper! Thank you for the article (and I'thou bookmarking this 1 to prove my husband later)!

Dan Harmon (author) from Boise, Idaho on September 11, 2011:

Thank you. Yes, it is not difficult. Were it not for the bowed flooring and ceiling, and discounting shopping time to find the new rollers, the fourth dimension to repair was probably effectually 30 minutes or less.

Now the problem, though is that the kids slam the door difficult - they are used to information technology taking all their force to close it!

rick combe from The states on September 10, 2011:

Adept, thorough how-to. This is actually simpler than I thought it would be.

turnerstor2001.blogspot.com

Source: https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/sliding-glass-patio-door-how-to-repair-or-replace-rollers

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