Why rollers wear out
Every sliding glass panel rests on two roller assemblies hidden in its bottom rail. Each wheel carries a share of a heavy panel, every single time the door moves. Over the years the wheels flatten or crack, the bearings rust and seize, and the steel housings corrode in the salty air. A failed roller stops turning and slides on the rail instead. That’s the grinding you hear, and it slowly wears a groove into the track.
Signs you need new rollers
- The door needs two hands or a hard shove to start moving.
- You hear grinding, squeaking or a rhythmic bump as it slides.
- The bottom of the panel looks lower on one side, or rubs the track.
- Adjusting the roller screws no longer lifts the door.
How we replace them
- We lift the panel out of the frame and set it down safely.
- We remove the old roller assemblies and match replacements to your door’s make, size and weight.
- We clean the bottom track while the panel is out, and check the rail for damage.
- We fit the new rollers, re-hang the panel and set the height, so the gaps are even and the latch lines up.
Stainless or sealed-bearing rollers hold up better near the water. We’ll recommend what suits your door.
Don’t ignore a worn track
If old rollers have already cut into the rail, new rollers alone won’t run smoothly. In that case we’ll recommend track repair at the same visit.