Our sliding door to the deck is really hard to pull open and shut. Is it the bearings??

Question

The door has been used everyday for 15 years.
Do we have to grease it? Clean it?
Or new bearings?

Answer 1

Spray the tract with WD-40. That will clean and lubricate it.

Answer 2

Well used doors tend to wear out the bearings, but sometimes, if you allow it to go too far, the track becomes damaged as well.
Remove the door, clean out the track and check the rails for damage, and any metal slivers/filings in the track areas. If the track is damaged, then it will need to be replaced or it will only wear out the new bearings quickly. (Sometimes mild damage can be repaired).
Automatically change the bearings every few years or so, depending on usage, and WAX the tracks (with a candle if necessary) regularly, like every few months or so. It is less messy than a lot of other things, and lasts longer than many of them as well.
It is a good idea to clean out the track areas whenever you are doing the waxing (or even the vacuuming), as good maintenance reduces repair costs considerably.
The last thing to consider is "SHIFT" in the building.
Is the door frame still square?, and is the top of the door area sagging or not? These will need attention first if evident, or none of the above will mean a thing.

Answer 3

No No no cooking oil that draws ants if you have them.

it usually means the track is dirty. you can take the door off easily by removing the clip at the bottom then lifting it off the track, clean the rail at the top and bottom then you can put a little WD on the wheels the you can now see the bearing. replace it is just as easy.

Answer 4

we sprayed cooking oil for a while on the track and then replaced the rollers and it glides with one finger now.