How is the 81-098 Pella roller attached?

Home Owner from Maryland
How is the 81-098 attached? Is it simply a friction-fit?

I think this might be the right roller for my door, but i'm not 100% sure. I do not see a model number anywhere on the roller other than the words "Heim 468B" on the roller.

There is no obvious way to remove the assembly from the door frame.

thanks!
~aaron
7 Replies
Paul
Paul from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hello! You are correct, the 81-098 roller isn't held in by any fasteners. Instead, it's kept in place with the weight of the door itself. Once the door is out  of the frame and the adjustment screw is removed, you should be able to pull the roller out fairly easily. I've known some service people to use a pair of needle nose pliers.

We also have a guide that you may find helpful. I'll share it below for your review. In this guide, Pella recommend using a wire loop and hammer to leverage the roller out of the frame. You may find this to be easier.

Home Owner from Alabama
Just replaced a roller in one of my Pella doors using the 81-098 and the instructions shown on this page.

Worked like a charm! Thanks for the part and the instructions!
Handy Person from Washington, D.C.
How do you remove the adjusting screw before trying to pull out the roller with a wire and claw hammer? Do I twist clockwise? (I tried twisting both ways and neither way loosened the screw so that it seemed to come loose from its "socket.)

(I'll buy two old style pella rollers if I can figure out how to get the old rollers out.)

Also, how do I get the wire to loop ... stick one end into the roller and try to wind it around the wheel?

Thanks for your help. David
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

When you turn the screw enough, it should come out. If not, you can always try turning it in just enough so it doesn't stick out and damage the rail. 

For the wire, the goal is to try to loop it around the screw itself. That should provide enough leverage to allow you to pull it out with the claw hammer.

Quick Learner from AZ
Is the main difference between OEM roller and #81-249 that the wheel is metal verses nylon?
If so, what is the life expectancy difference between the two.
Thank you
Casey
Casey from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

That's a great question. The only major difference between the two products is that the 81-098 is a genuine Pella brand product while the 81-249 is a generic. We find that both products work well, though there are some cases where the generic roller can rub against the door track, as it sits slightly lower in the frame. That said this is an uncommon experience, and the 82-249 is still a strong option.

Both the 81-098 or 81-249 have a metal wheel. At this time, neither have a nylon wheel option.

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