How to remove glass sliding door from track?

[Ready2go]

I have an aluminum-framed glass sliding door. the runners are wearing-out fast and I want to change them for new ones. WD40 Specialist can only do so much.

I know the drill for removing sliding doors but this one does not move up enough to clear the bottom track. the door is bigger than the opening. I've tried using pry-bars to lever the door over the lip, I've tried the door in different positions and nothing is working.  Sorry the photos don't show much.

 

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Ready2go,

I presume that in the second image you are trying to get the door over the track edge on the right, which appears to be the lower side. I also understand you've said the physical door height is larger than the opening. Providing it the actual door that is larger than the gap that would be a problem.

Are you sure that it's not the roller that is inhibiting it from being removed and that you've retracted them fully with the Phillips screw pictured in the hole? Does adjusting this screw lower and raise the door? If it doesn't appear to be doing anything, then the mechanism might be broken.

The door should not be larger than the gap. That leads me to believe that it's the roller carriages that are obstructing removal. Double-check that the rollers are fully retracted and the door lowered. There is likely a roller at both ends that needs to be retracted. Also, check the top to see if there is a roller there that needs to be retracted.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Ready2go]

that's worth a shot, thanks @MitchellMc 

pretty sure the door frame is not clearing the track. the house is old and the track may have shifted. I'll find out when I'm there next

[Ready2go]

sorry to say, this door has it out for me.

I cranked the roller right down so it was just the aluminum frame sitting on the track. then used jimmy bars to lift the door again and still could not get it to come off. it only needs another couple of millimeters to clear. I really, really don't want to yank the door free as I'm afraid of damaging something.

so, I've just adjusted the rollers again, sprayed Specialist DW40 in there and hoping that'll keep things moving a bit longer.

thanks for your suggestions everyone 

[EricL]

Hi @Ready2go 

I'm afraid Mitchell has covered all the bases in regards to the possibility of removing your sliding glass door.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their opinion in regards to removing your sliding door. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @Ready2go 

Earlier this year I was helping a mate with the exact same scenario with a large timber slider, which was very heavy that had one or both rollers broken. It had  It too was only about 2mm at best shy of clearing the outer frame lip. 

With the additional advice from @MitchellMc I'm confident you have done all you can to remove the slider in the conventional way, and now in the same position as me and my mate were. There are a few possible causes of this, all of which will result in more extreme force to remove the door.

1. The broken roller carriage as Mitchell stated is inhibiting removal. It's physically dropped causing the roller/s to catch the lip

2. The outer frame of the sliding door system has moved/deformed over time as you mentioned as per the images below. It probably never had enough clearance in the first place and now with a broken carriage is adding to the problem. If you have a long spirit level you can check the bottom and top lips. 

We spent well over an hour attempting to get it off cleanly, without it jamming itself on the lip. Then having to work it back on the track with force bearing in mind we didn't won't to chance cracking the glass.  

I would suggest having a 2nd pair of hands so you can lever the door with one and try and force the wheel up with the other. Also try having the door in different positions along the track. Because if the lip is off-level then you might find a sweet spot. If you can get one end of the door when over, then you might be able to lever along towards the back one.

Our sweet spot only ever got the wheel jammed on the lip. In the end, I put a wedge under the end of the door to support the weight and attempted to use a metal multi-tool blade on the roller to try and cut it through. But it wouldn't go through the metal bearing frame. So I carefully used a thin metal cutting disc. We had to do the same with the rear roller.

We replaced both roller carriages and rollers. The door gave us grief put it back in, but we got there in the end.

Good luck. Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Morning @Ready2go 

I cant really suggest more then what the team have been saying. Tho @Nailbag  has reminded me that there is a sweet spot on the doors, especially if the rail is out of true. I have used it to remove the same type of door before. 

The only other thing I can think of is "has the top of the door rail dropped?" If it has this could be what has given you no space to play with, if you had an agi prop handy you may be able to push it up minimally. Tho this comes with chances something may break. I would also suggest an extra set of hands if you try this.

Gorilla 1.98-3.35m Galvanised Formwork Prop #2 For a one of use its a little pricey but maybe you know someone who has one you can borrow?

Dave