Hollow-Core Metal Door

Hi I was planning on replacing the hinges on these metal bifold doors I have. The hinges on there are welded onto the door. So I dont know how to install new hinges, since the metal door is hollow (and if you are inside the closet when the doors are closed you can see there is no back to the door so you can see the inside guts). Plus the door is 93 inches, which isn't standard and I dont want the expense of replacing the doors. The reason I am replacing the hinges is becuase the doors dont close all the way becuase the doors have been painted over so many times by the previous owner.

Also, I am replacing the track to the door, and it requires a hole drilled into the top of the doors that are 3/8" thick...when right now there is a half-inch hole. However the 1/2" hole has a plastic insert that makes it 3/8 inch (from the original track) but one of them is loose and coming out. Do they sell these plastic inserts? I am really in trouble with these doors only becuase they are made of a thin metal meterial (maybe aluminum) and it is difficult to screw ANYTHING to them...

 

Since the "door hinges" were discussed in another thread under this same topic:"Closet Door Track Troubles", harware stores and lumber yards will sell you a track and trunion system, which offer the versility of side mount trunions which can also be either screwed to, as well as pop-riveted to the door.
These actually have the added advantage of carrying the weight of the door.

 

Trunions?

The reason I posted it here also, is I can't find ANY info on the net on these odd type of bifold doors. This house was built in 1963 and these are original, so I wonder why noone else has these types of doors as I do?

 

Trunnions = a pin or pivot on which something can be rotated or tilted
The plastic piece your talking about is a bushing for the trunnion. They come in several sizes.
An all around glass shop ( home and commercial shop ) should have or be able to order 1 if you can't find it at Lowe's or HD.

If you can't find what you need in a hardware store, bring in the bushing and show them what you need. Push come to shove, you could add a thin piece of metal where this hole is ( with of door X 2 inches by 1/8 if you have room), use drill bit size Q <---- not a typo ( it's a hair smaller than 3/8 ) to get the size hole you you need " without the bushing " But it's always better to have the bushing.

 

ELECTRIC1

I've been involved with and/or participated in several discussions regarding this type and style of door system in several other forums.

To a one, when faced with the repair, all have opted to either frame in and finish or install a decorative panel and a standard height set of doors.

Why? Because they realized that these were an antiquated, obsolete system and that it would be a continuing, on going repair.