Whisk broom and/or vacuum
Lubricating oil
Hammer
Wood block
Level
Pry bar
Screwdriver
Wheels, as needed
Sliding glass doors are heavy, glass exterior doors that slide on rollers mounted on the bottom of the door frame. Usually, one side of the door is stationary while the other slides. Occasionally, the movable panel will become hard to pull open or closed. If that's the case, below are suggestions on how to get it back on track.
1.
Clean and Oil the Track
Most problems are caused by dirt that collects on the track in which the door slides. Therefore, many problems can be avoided by keeping the track clean. To help the door glide smoothly, sweep debris from the ribbed channels of the track, and add a few drops of oil (Fig. 1).
2.
Straighten the Track
A bent track can also cause a door to bind. This problem can often be solved by tapping out the bend with a hammer and wooden block.
3.
Adjust the Wheels
If a door is not sliding squarely on its rollers, check to see if the door's movable sash is square with the track. If it is out of alignment, try adjusting the wheels via an adjustment screw near the bottom of the door panel.
First, unload the door's weight by lifting the door slightly with a pry bar on a wood block. (Fig. 2)
Hold or brace the door in its unloaded position; then use a screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw (Fig. 3). Turn the plug's screw clockwise to raise the rollers, counterclockwise to lower them.
If a sliding door still does not glide, remove it by lifting the panel straight up and edging the bottom out of the lower track. Then examine the wheels, and replace them if they are badly worn or broken.
