How do I adjust a sliding patio door?

expert EXPERT April 26, 2007

Virtually all sliding patio doors have wheels on the bottom that roll in, or on a track. Very often, the wheels get out of adjustment, so that the bottom of the door rubs on the track. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the wheels are adjustable. This adjustment might be found at the ends of the door (near the bottom obviously) or on the side of the door (sometimes covered decorative plastic button). The trick is to lower the wheels, which in turn raises the door. Don't raise the door too much, or it will rub on the top guide. Don't raise one end of the door more than the other, or the door will not fit squarely against the end stop, when it is closed. Check the track for nicks and dents which prevent the wheels from rolling smoothly. Sometimes small irregularities can be fixed by straightening the track with a hammer and a block of wood. File down any burrs. Vacuum the track to remove any debris. Use a stick lubricant which can be rubbed on the tracks. Liquid lubricants such as oil or grease are not appropriate and powdered graphite is too dirty. If a stick lubricant is not handy, a crayon or a candle will suffice