One of my sliding glass doors has become really difficult to open - it does not glide smoothly, despite the track being clean. Based on the rumbling noise when it rolls along, it is obviously time to replace the rollers. The current rollers are maybe 13 years old, and the track is 20 years old.
From some web pages I've looked at, it is futile to replace the rollers if the track is worn down. Has anyone tried a rail topper to fix the track, for example:
Jean
Is your track worn? It should be fairly easy to tell, just compare the middle with the ends where the door rollers do not reach.
Yes. Installation is trivial and the results outstanding.
Hint: Get a tube of "Liquid Steel" and fill in the dips in the track before installing the rail topper.
These rail toppers are made of stainless steel and should easily outlive the original aluminum track. Mine cost about $9.00 for an eight-foot wide door, not the $58 this thieving web site wants.
I know it's more difficult, but check locally: Glass repair shops, door stores, etc. Report back - I'd like to know how much money you saved!
Are these outside doors, or shower doors, or what???
yes. i have used these on an external door that is very large (double pane,
4'x10') and heavy. the track collapsed shortly after first install. they replaced the sill/track and used a heavy steel tracktopper. it's been 8 years now, and the track hasn't worn at all. the door is still very heavy.regards, charlie cave creek, az
crl still doesn't sell to the public. that link is for a reseller. it states that the manufacturer is crl, but crl doesn't make them either
You're right...I didn't even notice. Just saw the CRL logo.
Ah yes, sliding glass doors. The guy who invented those abortions should be hung!. My wife insisted on one when I put on a big additions. I argued against it but lost. We have _both_ been cussing it for 30 years and I am about to bit the bullet and replace with a standard door at a cost of around $1200. Yes, ours was one of the quality brands.
Constant cleaning of the track, reepeated 'replace the rollers' fun, hard to securely lock, pee poor seals at best, etc., etc.
Harry K
Have you tried to adjust the rollers? Sometimes that is all it needs. Are you sure the track is bad? If so, yes, the above works just fine, but don't buy it from CR Laurence! Go to a glass shop and get one along with the rollers. I didn't even know that CRL starting selling to the public. It used to be for commercial buyers only.
Are these outside doors, or shower doors, or what???
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Sliding glass patio doors.
Doesn't sound to me like it was a "quality" door if you had that many problems with it. They are usually problem free for yrs. Usually just need to adjust the rollers. You could always replace it with an Anderson.
I made my door work a lot better just by tightening the screws at each end, that lowered the wheels and raised the door.
Is it worn down? Put a straight edge along the top the middle ridge. Even rumbling wheels won't wear down the track I think. Pulling the door open with no wheels, scraping the door along the track, would do it.
I don't get it. When you click on Larger Image, it shows two designs, two covers for two sizes of sill. But there is only one part number.
It snaps over the round part of the track. Some tracks are taller then others.
There are two part numbers on the enlarged view. The tall one is 6702A the short one is 6701A.
Have you tried spraying everything sight with a silicon or teflon spray? The stuff works wonders.
Yep, good eye. Last time I installed one (in the late 80's) it was one size fits all. I was strictly autoglass after 1989, well except fot one yr when I got "drafted" to build and install shower doors and help install mirror walls.
Maybe the problem was a poor quality install? Sure beats all the cussing when installed correctly.
Or, the house could have settled causing problems.
Ah yes, sliding glass doors. The guy who invented those abortions should be hung!. My wife insisted on one when I put on a big additions. I argued against it but lost. We have _both_ been cussing it for 30 years and I am about to bit the bullet and replace with a standard door at a cost of around $1200. Yes, ours was one of the quality brands.
Constant cleaning of the track, reepeated 'replace the rollers' fun, hard to securely lock, pee poor seals at best, etc., etc.
Harry K
DITTO...Especially here in New England...There are a HUGE heat loss as well...Repaced mine and the living room is MUCH MUCH warmer...Put in a full view entry door..Best thing I ever did...Did all the work myself so the only cost was 200 bucks for the new door and small roll of insulation...Had left over vinyl siding and I do drywall for a living...
Did you miss the "30 years" bit?
Replace it with and Anderson? It was an Anderson (I just looked).
Harry K
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