Patio glass doors have two separate
units: a stationary unit and a sliding unit.
STEP 1 - REMOVE THE STATIONARY UNIT
In order to access the glass door units, first remove the screen door
(if you have one). Lift one end of the frame and use a screwdriver or stiff putty knife to lift the bottom
rollers from the track. Do this to both ends of the screen door and lift the screen door off the track.
The stationary glass door unit is usually held in place by a metal plate that runs along the bottom of the
track from the corner of the stationary unit to the bottom of the side jamb (there's a chance this piece may
be missing, but if you do see one, remove it from the track.)
Picture 1 - removing metal place
After the metal plate is removed, look for screws or clips on the upper and lower inside corner of the
stationary unit. These screws or clips may be
holding the stationary unit frame in place. Remove them, and then pull the stationary door out of the frame.
STEP 2 - REMOVE THE SLIDING UNIT
If necessary, create more room between the sliding unit and the door frame by raising the wheels back into
the sliding unit frame. Do this by adjusting the screws on the rollers clockwise. The adjusting screws are
located either at the bottom of the sliding unit's frame or in the sides of the frame.
Picture 2 - adjusting rollers prior to door removal
After the rollers are adjusted on both sides, remove the sliding unit from the door frame.
STEP 3 - REMOVE OLD ROLLERS
ALUMINUM FRAMES:
On older aluminum doors, accessing the rollers requires the removal of the bottom part of the door frame.
This removable piece is most likely fastened with the same screws that hold the rollers in place. Remove the
screws from both sides of the unit and then test to see if the bottom piece is removable. You may want to
use a rubber mallet and a wood block to tap on the frame and loosen the removable piece.
Clip 1 - removing bottom part of aluminum frame
Once the bottom piece of the frame is removed you should have access to the rollers.
VINYL FRAMES:
On most vinyl doors, the frame is welded together. Look for screws on the outside corner of the bottom of
the frame. Normally, the top screws hold the roller in the frame. First, remove the top screws and then
remove the rollers from the door.
Picture 3 - removing set screw and roller from vinyl frame
Tip: keep your old screws handy so you can use them on your new rollers.
STEP 4 - INSTALL NEW ROLLERS
If you need help identifying replacement rollers, ask our experts here:
[discussions]
Install the new rollers back into the frame.
Tip: It is a good idea to replace both rollers at the same time in order to prevent extra wear-and-tear
to one new roller.
STEP 5 - REINSTALL DOORS
To make it easier to install the sliding unit back into the door frame, adjust the rollers so they're at
their highest point the frame (this will give you more room for installation) [Clip 2]. Once you have the
sliding unit back in the door frame, you can adjust the rollers for optimal performance. Keep adjusting the
rollers until the door is sliding back and forth easily.
Clip 2 - adjusting rollers to their
highest pointe
Reinstall the sliding door back into the frame by inserting the top of the door first, then the bottom.
After the sliding door is back in, reinstall the stationary door and push it all the way back into its
original position, fastening it back to the frame with the screws or retaining clips.
Lastly, reinstall the screen door using a putty knife or screwdriver to help raise the wheels if necessary.
