| If the sliding glass doors in your home are more | | | | track and swing the bottom out of the bottom |
| than 10 years old, you might notice that they are | | | | track. Remove the panel from the top track and |
| becoming harder to slide open. This problem is | | | | set it aside with the screen door. |
| even more common on aluminum frame dual | | | | Now, you can try lifting the slider up and out, just |
| pane doors. The reason is because the doors are | | | | like you did with the fixed panel. If the slider won't |
| heavier due to the dual pane glass, but many of | | | | clear the bottom track, you need to do a couple |
| the aluminum units did not use stainless steel | | | | of things. First, look to see if it's the old rollers |
| rollers. So, in many cases, the rollers get rusty | | | | protruding from the bottom that is preventing the |
| from moisture and they start to bind. | | | | door from coming out, or if the actual bottom of |
| In order to replace the rollers, you have to | | | | the door frame is hitting the track. In almost all |
| remove the sliding panel from the opening. In | | | | cases, it will be the old rollers. But, if the opening is |
| most instances, the fixed panel must be removed | | | | 8' wide, sometimes the wood header that runs |
| in order for the sliding panel to come out. There is | | | | across the opening has sagged just enough to |
| a simple way to determine whether or not your | | | | make it tight in the center of the opening. If it's |
| fixed panel has to come out as well. If the slider is | | | | the rollers, you need to adjust them all the way |
| on the inside track and the fixed panel is on the | | | | up into the door. Look for a hole on the bottom |
| outside track, you have to remove both panels, | | | | side where you can put a phillips screwdriver and |
| because the slider will only come out from the | | | | find the adjustment screw. Then turn that screw |
| outside. There is a lip on the bottom of the track | | | | counterclockwise as far as you can. Do that to |
| inside your house. That lip keeps water from | | | | both sides, then try lifting out the door. If you are |
| coming in. Unfortunately, that lip is also too high to | | | | still getting stuck, have your helper lift one side |
| lift the sliding panel up and over. So, you have to | | | | and pull outward while you try to pry the frame |
| remove the fixed panel first, then lift and swing | | | | and roller over the track. If you get one side out, |
| out the slider from outside. If you are one of the | | | | have your helper hold that side with his or her |
| few people who have a slider on the outside | | | | foot to prevent it from going back in while he or |
| track, then you can lift your slider out without | | | | she lifts the other side for you to pry free. |
| removing the fixed panel. | | | | Once you get the slider out, almost all rollers are |
| But, let's assume you need to remove the fixed | | | | held in place by the same screw that holds the |
| panel first. Here is what you do: Remove your | | | | frame corners together. So, you need to set the |
| screen door if you have one. The screen door will | | | | panel on one side, remove the screw in the |
| have two rollers on the bottom. Lift one end of | | | | corner, flip the panel over, remove the screw on |
| the door frame with one hand while using a flat | | | | the other bottom corner. Now, you can take a |
| screwdriver to lift the roller off the track. Do that | | | | rubber mallet or the wood handle of a hammer, |
| on both sides, then take out the screen door and | | | | and tap the bottom frame off the glass. This will |
| set it aside. Now, look for a metal piece on the | | | | give you access to your rollers. Take a close look |
| bottom track that runs from the bottom corner | | | | at how they are inserted into the door frame. In |
| of the fixed panel all the way across to the | | | | fact, it's a good idea to only remove one roller to |
| bottom of the side jamb that has the door lock | | | | bring with you to match for the new ones. Then, |
| hardware. If your door is really old that piece | | | | when you get back home, you can use the roller |
| might be missing. If you have one, you can pry it | | | | that is still in place as a guide to installing the new |
| up from the track. It is snapped in place even | | | | ones. |
| though it looks like it is a part of the track. Once | | | | Places like Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace |
| you have that piece removed, you want to look | | | | Hardware carry about 80-90% of the rollers out |
| inside the house where the fixed panel is against | | | | there. So, you should be able to find them. |
| the wall jam. Look for screws holding the frame | | | | However, let's say this just isn't your lucky day, |
| to the jam. They usually have one near the top | | | | and you can't find your rollers anywhere. You are |
| and bottom corners, and one near the center. | | | | going to have to have them ordered. Bring the |
| Remove these screws and put them where you | | | | roller to your local glass shop. If you're lucky, they |
| won't lose them. Now, you should be able to pull | | | | will have them in stock. If not, they can order the |
| the fixed panel out of the side jam. There is a | | | | rollers, but you won't get them for about a week. |
| very good chance that it will be stuck. If it is, grab | | | | Don't panic. Just go home and tap the bottom |
| the center rail near the bottom and lift up as hard | | | | frame back on the door panel, but leave the |
| as you can. If you feel the panel go up, pull it | | | | corner screws out. You can even leave the roller |
| back down. Do this a couple of times, then try to | | | | out that you removed. Lift the door back in place, |
| pull it out of the side jam again. This usually | | | | install the fixed panel but don't snap the bottom |
| loosens it enough to pull it out. If it still won't | | | | piece back in, and don't install the inside screws. |
| come out, you will have to put a thin screwdriver | | | | Then, from inside the house, lift the slider and pull |
| between the fixed panel frame and the side jam | | | | it closed. You don't want to drag it if you left the |
| and pry while a helper pulls the panel away from | | | | roller out. It will scrape the bottom track. Just lift |
| the jam. Once you get it free of the side jam, | | | | it enough to take the pressure off, and close and |
| grab the fixed panel side rail and have a helper | | | | lock it. |
| grab the other rail. Lift the panel up into the top | | | | |