Pocket Door jam

I have a pocket door between the kitchen and dining room that is badly jammed. The wheels (the mechanism and gap is at the top of the door frame) are in totally different runs - one side is stuck in the frame gap, and the other is sideways in the normal gap. It is at least 45 years old, and there has been a lot of settling in the house. Since it has jammed with the door closed, a major pathway to the kitchen is blocked. My husband thinks we should cut the whole thing out and patch the gaps. A friend suggested a less drastic method of removing the door trim at the top where it touches the door mechanism, after which the whole thing may come out easily, so it can be put in right. Then we should carefully put the trim back on.

I don't know what to do. I contacted a bunch of door manufacturers, but no one returned my emails. I called some door retailers and they don't fix that kind of door. Nobody wants to deal with it. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this door?

 

Repairing Pocket Door Hardware, Including Tracks & Stops

From the U.S. General Services Administration, a step-by-step how-to on repairing pocket door hardware

The Old House Web

http://207.218.207.229/stories/Detailed/213.shtml

 

Thanks Twelvepole!

Sounds like I may have to cut into the wall to fix it. It is a bigger job than expected.

That's a great web site you referred me to. I am going to look around for other info.