Any tips for a novice trying to fix a pocket door that no longer opens and closes smoothly and gets stuck?
I could use some help with fixing our pocket door. It’s giving me a hard time – it’s not opening and closing smoothly, and it gets stuck when it’s fully closed. To open it, I have to lift it up a bit and push really hard. Also, when I’m halfway through opening or closing it, the trailing side wobbles, but the leading side with the handle stays steady. The door rolls bumpy at first, but then smooths out near the end. The bottom seems a bit off, but the top looks fine.
I think I need to remove the molding to access the roller system. I can reach the nuts and bolts with an angled wrench, but I’m not sure if my adjustments are enough. The track isn’t loose. I’ve tried using compressed air to clean the tracks and silicone lubricant on the rollers. I also noticed a slight bowing near the handle.
Do you think just replacing the rollers will solve the problem? Or could there be something else going on? I’ve never taken off molding before, but I watched a bunch of YouTube videos. Is it as easy as it seems? And how about putting it back on? I’d appreciate any thoughts or advice. 🙏
If this was installed correctly, one side of the top jamb may be screwed in. If that’s the case, removing it will allow you to take out the door. The first step is to visually inspect both sides of the door for any paint blemishes, as they may indicate where the rubbing is occurring during operation
Based on your description, it seems like the door is rubbing against the opening, especially if it’s slightly bowed
Many door hardware pieces are attached using a clip similar to the one in the image, making it easy to remove the door. Look up a pocket door wrench like the one shown. You might still need to remove the 1/4 round from the top for better access.
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The wheels have been damaged
It’s really not too difficult of a job, most people avoid pocket door repairs because of the touch-up work needed afterwards. You’ll likely need to do some light sanding in certain areas (like the trim, header, and jamb), as well as caulking and painting. Take your time with it, it’s a bit time-consuming so just be patient and careful
You can find the kit and wheels at Home Depot, it’s around $40. We actually just repaired ours!
There’s a little plastic latch that needs to be unhooked on each roller. This will unlock the door. Make sure to check for any debris in the wall cavity and ensure the rollers are on track. It can be a bit tricky because of the limited space, but you should be able to see the plastic hooks at the top of the door
I’ve watched skinny guys and drywall guys put screws and nails in there