How to Fix a Folding Door With a Bent Pivot

Folding doors, which also go by the name bi-fold doors, are inexpensive yet functional options for laundry areas, utility closets and other door openings. They work using a bottom pivot pin that allows the panels to fold toward the wall and open. If the bottom pivot pin becomes bent, the door will no longer function and may even slip out of the tracks. Fixing the door simply requires that you pull out the old pivot and insert a new one.

Pliers
Replacement pivot
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Open the folding door and fold the panels back on each other as far as possible. Lift up the door 1/4 to 1/2 inch to raise the bottom pivot out of the floor bracket.
- 2
  Place the folding door on the floor or worktable where you can easily access the top and bottom edges of the door.
- 3
  Look on the bottom of the door's hinge side to locate a metal pin with a plastic cover on it, which is the pivot. Another pivot sits on the top corner of the hinge side. The pivots are spring-loaded and depress slightly when you push up on them. Grasp the base of the bent pivot with pliers and pull it firmly away from the door to detach it.
- 4
  Take the bent pivot to a hardware store to purchase an identical one. Insert a new pivot into the hole with the plastic portion facing away from the door. Push the pivot up as far as possible, using a hammer if needed to tap it gently into place.
- 5
  Pick the door back up and place the upper pivot inside the upper bracket. Push the bottom of the door in and line up the pivot with the hole in the floor bracket. Set the folding door down on the bracket gently and close the door to ensure it works correctly.

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