Sliding glass patio door is hard to open/close. The adjustment screws are two inches deep inside the frame making it difficult to line up the screw driver with the head of the screw! I'm getting very frustrated with messing with it, and not having much luck.

It's an AAMA 101-85 MFGR CODE VIKING INDUSTRIES.....SGD - R I 5....

It's at least 20 years old.

Any suggestions how to adjust it.

On the other hand I'd love any excuse to replace it with french doors!!

 

Typically those screws are #3 phillips. 2" isnt very deep at all. Generally you have to keep the screwdriver as low as possible and feel where level is.

You bring the door 1/8" from closed and observe the gap of light where it is about to close. Then you adjust the rollers, raising one or the other to make that gap appear straight.

If its hard to roll, it could be that the rollers need to be replaced.

 

Hard to feel when, if, I'm hitting the screw head, even if I feel it, it is hard to turn the screwdriver while lying flat on the floor and can barely grasp the screwdriver handle in my hand since it's almost flat against the rail. It's hard to know if I'm too weak, or the rollers need replacing?

Given it's at least 20ish years old is it most likely the rollers need replacing?

Not sure what year the room addition with the sliding doors was added. They were already there when we bought the house in 2005.

 

Most likely those wheel are worn out and corroded with debris. The track may also be worn out. Not sure you can even get replacements I noticed a similar request on the SWISCO site and could not provide info without actually seeing the wheels.

You now have your excuse to buy a new door.

 

Oh, thank you....breathing a sigh of relief!!!!

Would I get sticker shock if I got bids to replace them with French doors, vs sliding doors similar to what I already have? I can afford it...but I can afford it because I'm careful with my money.

I know you can just give me a guesstimate on any costs.

 

Assume $3000 to $6000 depending on what you choose and where you buy the doors. Self install will cut price about in half.

 

Patio door rollers are easily replaced. You just have to remove the sliding panel and remove them in order to measure. The price varies from $5 - $50 depending on the style of roller. I don't think I'd be quick to replace a door just because you can't adjust a roller.

 

Sounds like you should first buy or borrow a screw driver with a longer blade to reach the screw.

 

Darn it, I know you're right....but sometimes I just want "new and improved", tired of these old plain metal framed doors . But there are probably more important things I can spend money on.

 

I had some similar problems recently with a 35 year old wood framed sliding door. Even though I could find the screw head, every time I adjusted the height the door was still hard to move and would fall back to the lower level after a few openings/closings. I tried lifting the door with a crowbar while turning the screw and it turned easier, got easier to move the door but eventually got hard again. Spraying silicone lube on the track and into the rollers under the door helped a little but not enough. My latest "fix" was to clean (polish) the aluminum track that had some corrosion on it with steel wool and lubricate it with a wax/grease (Door-Ease stainless stick lubricant) designed for automotive use (door latches especially.) I left a couple of big globs on the track that got onto the rollers inside when the door was moved. For now (2 months almost daily use) it is moving much more smoothly and seems to be keeping its height.

 

Sure you can spend the money on better things, But this is your home (that should take a priority). In most cases any improvement on a home is well worth it. Don't wait until you move. If you think you need a new door and you can afford it, get it and enjoy it. I learned many moons ago that if something needed replacement, don't do it for the next guy, do it for yourself. I don't like to spend money, in fact I see myself as a bit of a cheapskate, but when it comes to home improvement, I'm going to enjoy any money I spend it while I can for my self.
My son contemplated getting a new garage door, but kept putting it off. When he sold his house he had to put a new door on by town ordinance to complete the sale and the new owners get the benefit.
My father-in -law always loved his new cars, and always bought seat covers when he bought the car. He never enjoyed the original car seats, but the new owner did. Does that make sense?
Now if you can't afford it, then that's a whole, new ball game. Just say'n.