How to Adjust Sliding Closet Doors

There are a few reasons why sliding closet doors need to be adjusted. The usual reason for adjustment is that the doors are sitting too low in the track making them hard to open and close. Whatever your reason for a door adjustment, you will be relieved to find out that the process is easier than you think. With a few simple tools and a little bit of guidance your closet doors will be sliding again like new and in only a matter of minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves, Flashlight, Small Screwdriver

Instructions

Adjust Sliding Closet Doors

1. Partially open one side of the sliding doors to expose the machine screw on the wheel mechanics located at the bottom of the doors. The screw is located in the middle of the wheel. With a small screwdriver turn the screw clockwise to raise the door, and counter clockwise to lower it. Repeat this same procedure for the opposite side of the same door.

2. After raising or lowering the second door, using the same procedure as the first, slide both doors to the jam side; checking to see if the doors are parallel to the jam. If the doors are not in line with the jam, re-adjust the doors again by turning the screws in the appropriate direction.

3. Most of the old fashioned heavier doors are hung on an upper track. These sliding closet doors are adjusted the same way. Upper hung doors are held straight and fixed by a plastic piece located on the floor. There is a space for each door, one in front of the other. Make sure to check for objects that might be stuck in the plastic door holder.

4. Sliding closet doors hung on an upper track might need adjustment if they are not parallel with the jam. By turning the wheel mechanic screws in each wheel, adjust the doors until they are parallel to the jam. The doors should slide much easier.

Tips & Warnings

• Before adjusting your sliding closet doors make sure an object isn't stuck in the wheels on the track. This is a common reason why sliding doors fail to slide properly.

• If the turn out wheel adjustment or the wheel is broken, most local hardware stores carry the sliding closet door replacement mechanics. Buying an entire new door is not necessary.

• Use a flashlight if the inside of the closet is dark. Extra light also aides in finding smaller objects stuck in the track that might be overlooked because of size.

• Wearing gloves is a good idea to avoid possible splinters that might come off an older wood door. Some of these sliding closet doors can be quite heavy and when balancing the doors during adjustment, they could slip. Gloves are great protectors from slivers in the hands.