Patio door is aluminum, cannot remove

Question

Several days ago I ordered 14 of your part 81-005 Sliding Door Rollers. My doors have roller number 6049 from Allen Stevens Corp. The doors are estimated to be 25 to 30 years old.

I watched your video about replacing rollers, but that was a vinyl door with an access hatch in the bottom of the door. My doors are aluminum, and I found it very difficult to remove the sample roller in preparation for finding a replacement.

More specifically, I worked my door in the vertical position by first removing the side frame-member then trying to pull the roller assembly out from the end of the bottom frame-member. I had to severely distort the lower frame flanges with a steel wedge before the "Flares" on the roller assembly cleared enough to be extracted.

There must be a better way. Can you help?

Thanks, AL

Dave Sr. · Accepted Answer

Hey, Al, hopefully I can help. After removing the sliding glass door, place it on two saw horses or large table. Unscrew the frame screws on each side at the bottom of the door. With a block of wood and hammer, tap the bottom door frame from the glass. Now, with a friend helping you out (or a vise), spread the frame to knock out the bottom roller assembly. It isn't easy, but that is how most service people remove these old rollers.