How do I adjust a sliding patio door so it will slide easily?

Hi austin,     

What a great question.  I distinctly remember the strength needed to
open and close my extremely wide patio door and how I eventually
decided something was clearly wrong!  I wasn't into arm-wrestling with
my door just to get in and out of my house so I could go outside to
the back yard.

I'm going to state the steps I took starting with the easiest and less
invasive to the final solution.  All this can be done without calling
in the experts.  It's very inexpensive to fix.  And that's a good
thing, eh?

The reason most sliding doors stop doing their thing, is because
they're dragging on the track.  To get it rolling again, clean all the
accumulated dirt from around the track.

(You'll want this done even if you resort to replacing the wheels,
which I'll give complete instructions on how to do this if need be.)

Use a bent wire coat hanger and an old toothbrush to loosen all debris
from the track. Vacuum up the dirt, then wash with paint thinner,
wd-40, or Zoom Spout oiler.

Be very sure to wipe off any remaining residue so the track is nice
and clean.  Lubricants will attract dirt, dust, animal hairs, etc. 
Keep the track clean at all times.

Next:  check the clearance between the bottom of the door and the
track.  Frequently this can be increased by adjusting the rolllers. 
(You can do this by taking the weight off the door with a screwdriver,
then turning the screw located somewhere along the top of the rail.)

------

Most likely you'll go to the next step which is actually replacing the
roller wheels.

"To replace the wheels, you will need to remove the rolling section of
your door. Enlist the help of a strong friend because this is a
two-person job.

Some patio doors lift up and out of their tracks. Some require removal
of molding and trim before they can be taken out. Either way, once it
is out, the track, wheels and adjustment mechanisms can be inspected.
Clean and vacuum the track. Do not lubricate it because that attracts
dust and dirt which ultimately make the door harder to move.

 (***my comment - you can lubricate, but be sure to wipe clean***)

Remove the rollers from the door and clean or replace them as their
condition dictates. Do not oil them, either.

Once the rollers have been serviced, reinstall them in the door and
replace the door section back on its track. If there has been some
movement, shifting or settlement over the years, it may be necessary
to trim the door section slightly. Doing it well is crucial. If you
are not extremely comfortable with woodworking and sliding patio
doors, do not attempt this yourself. Done wrong, it could cause you to
have to replace the entire patio door and frame.

Once the door is reinstalled, adjust it so it rolls easily and the
vertical edges of the door are parallel to the frame. This is done by
adjusting the rollers in the bottom of the door up or down, causing
the door panel to lean slightly forward or backward to match the
frame."

Fixit: Replacing the wheels on a sliding patio door
http://www.startribune.com/stories/839/1016698.html

Depending on the frequency the door is opened and closed, rollers
usually need to be replaced every 3-5 years.  After I replaced mine I
was amazed at the "one finger touch" opposed to strong-arming my door!
 Rollers are not very expensive, and it always helps to take the
existing old wheel along with you to any hardware store so you know
what size to buy.

Google search:  "patio door roller replacement"  and personal
experience.

I hope this helps you,

tlspiegel
Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by austin99-ga on 12 Dec 2002 12:08 PST

This sounds great and not difficult to do. One thing was not included
and maybe it was in the way I phrased the question. The top rear of my
door jams itself against the top moulding when it is about two thirds
closed. I'd like to know if there are screws which would lower the
back vertical section, where they are and how to adjust. I tried to
find a screw in the opening above the top back screw but couldn't find
anything.
Also, when you mention lifting the door with a screwdriver and
adjusting the top screw, are you referring to the screw seen located
on the edge of the front of the door, near the small opening?

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 12 Dec 2002 12:50 PST

Hi again,

Yes, I am referring to the visible screw seen at the front edge of the
door.

Adjusting a sliding patio screen door that sticks
http://www.misterfix-it.com/Solutions/10Walls.html

"Almost every sliding patio screen door in the world sticks, because
few people are aware that they can adjust the rollers that run in the
track. You still need to keep the track clean, but adjusting the
rollers is the key.
 
First, though, make sure the aluminum frame is not twisted or bent.
Gently straighten any track damage with a file or pliers. If the frame
can't be fixed, you'll need to replace the entire door unit.

If the frame is in good shape, the door will be easy to repair. At the
base of the door, you'll see a small Phillips head screw in the lower
frame. The screw head will be above the frame or in the side of the
door, near the bottom. Tightening this screw lowers the rollers; that
lifts the door so it rolls on the rollers and doesn't rub on the
frame.

Most doors also have a similar roller adjustment for the top rollers.
If the door is tight or bound in the frame, you may first need to
loosen these top screws to allow room for the rollers at the bottom to
be lowered. Don't let your adjustments squeeze the door between its
top and bottom frames.

After adjusting the rollers, clean the track with steel wool or a
scrubbing pad. Lubricate the rollers and the track with a
silicone-type lubricant that will avoid attracting dirt.

If the rollers or roller springs are damaged, remove a sample and try
to buy an exact replacement. To replace or inspect the rollers, remove
the door from the frame as follows: fully retract both the top and
bottom rollers. Lift the door up into the frame. To clear the lower
track, you may also need to keep pushing up the lower rollers with
your finger or a thin putty knife if the rollers drop down as you lift
the door.

If you can't find replacement rollers, you might be able to substitute
the top rollers for the bottom ones, since the top rollers don't do
much to keep the door on track and they don't wear out."
 
---

Not being there and actually seeing your door, here are some
suggestions as to why the top rear of the door jams against the top
molding...

Taken from: eHow to Repair a Sliding Door 
http://www.ehow.com/ehow/ehow.jsp?index=1055&id=17502 

"Determine where the door is sticking - at the threshold, the side, or
the top. Mark the areas of drag with a pencil or chalk.
  
If the door is sticking at the top, bottom or sides, remove the door
from the hinges and sand it very lightly where it sticks.

Replace old mounting screws with larger bore screws if the holes are
worn or stripped. In some cases the hinges themselves may be worn and
need to be replaced.

Check the alignment of the latch if it's not catching properly. Loosen
the screws and align the mount with the latch.
  
Check the weather stripping. I needed to trim mine a bit to allow more
clearance.

Sticking door may be caused by heat or humidity, or perhaps simply by
the building's settling over time.

Check to see that the hinges are tight. Loose hinges can cause a door
to drag against the jam or on the threshold."
  
---

Also, dents or dings in the track may cause the door to stick.  In
that case you'll want to gently sand the track.  And, squirt a little
bit of powdered graphite into the rollers.

OK!  Hopefully all these tips will get your door rolling along
smoothly for years and years to come.

Good Luck to you...

tlspiegel
Google Answers Researcher