Forum Discussion

Sirens10's avatar
Sirens10
Explorer
Nov 25, 2015

Pocket Door Roller

My sliding pocket door has come off the back roller. But what's worse, the roller has come out of the track. Does anyone have a solid suggestion of how to get the roller back into the track? By nature, the track is smaller at the bottom to uphold the roller. But, you guessed it, I took off with the door not latched. I'm guessing it slid off at the back end, but that is inaccessible. There's no room at the front in to slide it back on, even if the front roller wasn't already there and in place. I've tried prying it in but don't want to damage the track. I've tried twisting and rotating it to get it in, but it just isn't working…yet. Now, it's halfway in and 90° from how it should be. Any suggestions, aside from "latch the door next time"--I've learned that lesson! Thanks.
Seeking Advice
  • chiefward's avatar
    chiefward
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2015
    Try cutting off about an inch of the rail to allow you enough room to reinstall the roller.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Nov 30, 2015
    Can you tape the roller to a yardstick and reach back In to the pocket with it? Having never seen one of these doors I don't know if that's possible, though.
  • Sirens10's avatar
    Sirens10
    Explorer
    Nov 30, 2015
    Old Biscuit, thank you for the link. It shows how to get the door back on to the roller. Unfortunately, it doesn't show how to get the roller back in the track, which I must do before I can put the door back on.
    Heaterswa, how do you get the roller back into the rail from the back end of the rail? That end is deep in the pocket, and my hand/arm doesn't fit in the pocket opening, at least not that far into it. Also, how does loosening the rail from the ceiling help? And are you unscrewing from an angle since the door still is connected at the front roller?
    Thank you both for your responses!
  • heaterswa's avatar
    heaterswa
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2015
    When I've done this over the years, I get out my electric screwdriver and remove the back screws from the rail with the door in the closed position. Then open the door and loosen the front screws in order to partially drop the rail down. Put the roller back into the track from the back end and then put the screws back in. And try to check the door to make sure it is secured before moving the trailer.

    -Bryan
  • Sirens10's avatar
    Sirens10
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2015
    Yes, I've taken the header off and managed to find the roller piece back in the pocket. I got it out (it had dropped off and was on the floor deep in the pocket), but can't seem to get it up into the track of the metal frame, which was behind the header. I don't see a way to open the track, perhaps by loosening a screw or the like. The only open (bottom) area of the track is about 3/4" wide and the roller piece is about 1" wide. Thus, my dilemma. I'm guessing the roller slid off the back end of the track but since I can't access that, and the front end butts up to the door frame, I need to find a way to get the roller back in the track from the open bottom--the opening where the roller connects to the top of the door. Once I get the door back on track, then maybe I can get my life back on track, too. ;)
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Nov 25, 2015
    I assume you took off the header piece to give you access? It's normally held up with 2-3 screws. On mine, I can completely remove and rehang the door once I remove the header.

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