Troubleshooting Guide: Zero Clearance Hangers and Soft Closers

Zero clearance hangers and soft closers are essential components in our sliding door systems. However, improper installation or orientation of these parts can lead to various issues such as difficulty closing the door, bolt dropping, and misalignment with the actuator. This guide provides troubleshooting tips for common issues encountered when installing zero clearance hangers and soft closers.

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Issue #1: Inner extrusion slipping inside the outer extrusion

Symptoms:
  • Bolt dropping causing issues closing the door
  • Hanger and soft closer not lining up correctly with the actuator
Solution:

When installing the inner extrusion hanging plate of the zero clearance hanger, ensure the end with the screw hole is pointing out to the edge of the door. This will ensure that when the cover plate is screwed on, the inner extrusion will be held in place. If this is installed the other way around, it will slip inside the outer extrusion, leading to the bolt dropping and causing issues closing the door. It will also lead to misalignment with the actuator when paired with the soft closer.

Issue #2: Incorrect orientation of the hanger

Symptoms:
  • Hanger sticking up and clashing with screw heads or soft close actuators inside the track
Solution:

Ensure that the hanger is installed the right way up. The higher part of the hanger body should be pointing down to avoid sticking up and clashing with screw heads or soft close actuators inside the track.

Issue #3: Soft closers failing to work or jamming

Symptoms:
  • The door no longer closes softly and slams on the jamb
  • The door seems to be jammed
  • The actuator may have come loose or moved
  • The hanger placement may have moved
Solution:

If the soft closer fails to work or jams, several factors could be the cause. Firstly, ensure that the actuator and hanger are still lining up correctly. If they are misaligned, adjust the hanger placement or reposition the actuator to solve the issue.

If the actuator and hanger are correctly aligned, the problem could be with the soft closer itself. One common issue is that the rod inside the soft closer may become bent under too much pressure caused by slamming the door. In this case, you will need to remove the soft closer and get a replacement.

Another potential problem could be with the spring of the soft closer. To diagnose this, remove the door and take the soft closer out to determine the actual problem.

Conclusion:

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can avoid common issues encountered when installing zero clearance hangers and soft closers. Proper installation and orientation of these parts are crucial for the smooth operation of sliding door systems. If you encounter any other issues, consult the installation instructions or call us on 1300 239 206.