How to Fix a Sliding Door to Open Easier

Sliding glass doors should glide open with little effort.

Fix your sliding door so it opens easier. A sliding door becoming hard to move back and forth is common: Foreign debris builds up on the door frame track over time, minimizing the proper sliding ability of the door wheels. Years of use can wear out the wheels beneath the door and no amount of cleaning will improve the door's ability to open and close. If you have to overexert yourself to get your sliding door open, it's time to give your door a tuneup. Clean out the track and, if necessary, replace the wheels.

Things You'll Need

• Flat-head screwdriver
• Electric screw gun
• Broom
• Hand broom
• Compressed air
• New roller assemblies (optional)
• Denatured alcohol
• Rag
• Wire brush
• Silicone spray
• Paraffin wax

Instructions

1. Locate the two plugs that cover the adjustment screws at the base of the door. These plugs will be on the inside of the door. Pop the plugs out with a flat-head screwdriver.

2. Turn the screws counterclockwise to retract the wheel rollers up into the door. The entire door will lower when you do this.

3. Remove the screws that hold the door's head stop to the door frame. Use an electric screw gun to undo these screws. Pull the head stop out of the frame. At this point the door could fall freely from the frame. Ask someone to hold it upright while you pull out the head stop.

4. Lift the door out of the frame by tilting the top of the door away from the frame. Ask your assistant to help you lift the door. Lay it on top of a table.

5. Clean out the roller track at the base of the door frame. Use a broom or a hand broom, followed by a wire brush and then compressed air, if necessary.

6. Pry out each of the rollers from the bottom of the door with a screwdriver. Inspect the rollers for wear and tear. If any of them are broken, buy new ones.

7. Clean the rollers with a wire brush to remove dirt, grime and hair. Pry out any rocks with a screwdriver. Spray the rollers with a denatured alcohol and wipe them with a rag. If you can't get the wheels to spin freely, buy new assemblies. Lubricate the rollers with a silicone spray.

8. Press the cleaned or new roller assemblies into the door. Line up the adjustment screws on the roller assemblies with the access hole in the door panel, then tap them in with a hammer.

9. Clean the head and bottom tracks by wiping them with a rag dipped in alcohol. Scrub the tracks with the wire brush if needed. Vacuum out any loose debris in the bottom track. Spray the tracks with the silicone lubricant.

10. Rub a block of paraffin wax along the bottom track for added lubrication.

11. Reinstall the door with the help of your assistant. Set the door base in the bottom track, then lean the top of the door into the top track. Reinstall the head stop.

12. Turn the adjustable screws clockwise to raise the door up off the bottom track. Slide the door back and forth to test for gliding ease. Raise or lower the wheels until the door opens and closes effortlessly. Replace the screw plugs.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep fingers away from tracks while removing, opening and closing the door.

References

• Door Designs: Sliding Door Tune-Up