How to Remove Patio Door Rollers

Patio door rollers wear out or rust over time. Sliding doors drag or catch in the tracks while attempting to open or close. Spray lubricants may offer some relief to this condition, but it usually proves to be temporary. The rollers should be replaced if the glass doors are more than 10 years old. A good cleaning may restore rolling to a newer glass door. Take the rollers out of of a patio door to clean or replace them and restore easy movement.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips or slotted screwdriver
• Wrench set
• Rubber mallet
• Helper

1. Remove the outside door first whether it is the stationary door or the sliding door. Remove the stationary door. Take the thin metal strip off the exposed track of the floor of the door frame in front of the stationary door. Use a screwdriver to pry this cap up off the track. Remove all screws holding the frame of the glass door to the outer door frame. Ask a helper to grip one side of the door frame while holding the other. Pull up on the door and swing the lower frame outward and away from the track. Lower the door out of the upper frame and lay it down on a cloth or tarp.

2. Remove the sliding glass door. Grab one side of the door frame and have a helper grab the other. Lift the door up and swing the bottom away from the frame. Drop the upper end of the door out of the top frame and set it flat on a tarp or cloth.

3. Take the bottom of the door frame off. Remove the two bottom screws or bolts in the door frame edges. Tap the bottom section of the frame with a rubber mallet to pull it completely away from the glass and the rest of the frame.

4. Remove one of the rollers from inside the lower frame. The roller and adjustment mechanisms will be held in the frame with one or two screws. The frame screw itself may be one of them. Loosen the screws from one roller and take it out of the frame. Use it to shop for matching replacements.

References

• How-to-Install-Windows.com: Replacing Patio Door Rollers
• NaturalHandyMan.com: How to Replace Patio Door Rollers