I have an old Acorn-Dorwal aluminum patio sliding door that I need to replace the rubber seal in between the aluminum frame and the glass (right where the insulated glass meets the aluminum frame in the sliding door). There are 4 screws (one in each corner of the frame) that I would think hold everything together. However I tried taking apart the horizontal and vertical frame pieces with the screws out but they don't budge. Is there some trick to this? Or is it just that the Aluminum is tough to take apart with the rubber seal in there? Any help here is appreciated. The door is heavy as a you know what so I would rather not have to lug it to a glass shop.

Thanks

 

Are you going to be able to find an exact replacement gasket for your door? If not, you don't want to take the door apart. What is keeping you from disassembling the door is sealant that is liberally applied inside the frame and on the glass, so be careful. You may opt to inject a small bead of silicone (colored or clear) in the groove and let it set up. It probably won't be long before you have to replace the entire unit anyway.