How to Repair Sliding Glass Doors With a Stainless Steel Track

Find the two small plugs covering the roller adjustment screws. Depending on the door manufacturer, the plugs are either on the bottom rail of the door near each end or on the bottom edge of the door. Pry the plugs off with a utility knife. Turn the adjustment screws counterclockwise with a Phillips screwdriver to lower the sliding panel. Push the sliding panel open.

Remove the screws securing the headstop to the front of the upper track with a Phillips screwdriver. The headstop is the piece of trim at the top of the opening that covers the front of the door track and forms part of the rail to hold the top of the sliding panel in place. Pull the headstop away from the opening.

Grab the sides of the sliding panel with both hands. Tilt the top of the panel toward you and lift the bottom out of the track. Lay the sliding panel on a pair of sawhorses.

Clean the lower track with a damp cloth, removing all dirt and debris. Tighten all track-securing screws. Sometimes a screw comes loose and the head of the screw interferes with the door's operation. Look for bends in the track and straighten them with a pair of vise grips.

Insert a flat-head screwdriver between the roller assemblies and the bottom of the door. Pry the roller assemblies out of the door. Clean any dirt from the rollers with denatured alcohol and a rag. Attempt to spin the rollers with your fingers. If the rollers don't spin with ease, replace the assemblies with new ones. If the rollers spin, apply spray graphite to the bearings. Push the roller assemblies back into the bottom of the door until they click into place.

Pick up the sliding door panel with both hands at the sides of the panels. Place the bottom of the panel into the lower track and push the top against the inside rail of the upper track. Reinstall the headstop to the track.

Turn the roller adjustment screws clockwise to raise the panel. Turn each screw one complete revolution and test the operation of the door. Continue making adjustments to each screw in quarter increments until the door slides smoothly across the track. Push the plugs back over the holes in the door panel.