I have a sliding glass door that barely opens and often jumps off the track. The track under the door is bent and chipped.
Is this normal wear and tear?
Would raising the wheels fix it? Do I need to straighten track?
I'd like to know whether this is more complex than tightening a few screws or putting on new wheels.
Best Answer
We had this issue on the kitchen sliding glass door at work. A hand truck had been run fully loaded over the threshold several times in its life and the Channel Lock treatment given to attempt putting the track back in line.
Our local glass shop repaired it without removing the frame as the door was a custom piece with no readily available replacement and would have been prohibitively expensive to do so.
Basically, you take a rivet buster chisel and die grinder and remove the track. You then use a die grinder burr to smooth the surface. There are replacement tracks (has to match the old one) that will now lay in the slot. Finish out by fixing in place with self tapping screws, replace the rollers on the screen door and adjust the rollers to proper height.
It now rolls just like new.
Ok, here's one manufacturer (no affiliation with any). Prime-Line Products has a cap strip like Mike was considering and they also have an actual track replacement extrusion which is what I have experience with. You'll find both repair products listed under Exterior Door Hardware for Residential Sliding Patio Doors. They also carry rollers and assemblies.
Another manufacturer that makes both cap strips and track extrusions is Swisco