David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 8/7/2008 9:18 PM Boden spake thus:

David Nebenzahl wrote:

Got two clients (actually one client & one friend) who have
pocket doors that are off their tracks. Pain in the ass. Both
are different but similar; as near as I can tell, one was
probably installed in the 1960s, the other one probably 15 years
ago or so.

Both have finished walls that are inaccessible. Does anyone have
any clever tricks for getting these goddamned things back on
their tracks? I've looked at them, scratched my head and come up
with zilch so far.

Many thanks to anyone who can give me a clue here.

Take a look here at how they should be installed and how to repair
them.

You should be able to remove one trim member in the top of the door
opening and access/remove the door.

http://www.johnsonhardware.com/pdindex.htm

Thanks--great stuff! I'm hoping I can get them working without having
to cut into the wall.

The usual problem is that the two parts of the hanger have
disconnected. Use a lever under the bottom of the door to raise it so
the two pieces slot together, then turn the latch until it clicks to
lock everything together.

Here's a closer look:
http://jhusa.net/images/2610/2610Ficon580.jpg
And here's a drawing:
http://jheurope.com/images/jh/bulkpa...ad580/1120.gif

The instructions above are simple, but performing them is tricky.
1. Put a lever under the bottom of the door. You'll use your foot to
raise and lower the door.
2. Align the peg on the wheel section with the large end of the keyhole
opening in the plate on the top of the door.
3. Raise the door just enough that the peg enters the keyhole.
4. Slide the peg sideways into the smaller end of the keyhole.
5. Turn the locking plate until it clicks around the peg. This locks it
into place so it doesn't come apart again.

I use two screwdrivers to slide the parts of the hanger back and forth
and a lever to raise and lower the door. The first time you do this
will require 6.5 hours to learn the technique. ;-) Following efforts
take as little as three minutes.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX