Restore the Swing of Your Aluminum Doors
Commercial aluminum doors don't typically use hinges; they use Pivots. Located at the extreme top and bottom of the door, these bearings carry the entire weight of the door. When they wear out, the door drags on the threshold, won't latch, or jumps out of alignment. Installix offers expert pivot repair and replacement. We identify the specific brand (Kawneer, Oldcastle, Vistawall) and install new, heavy-duty bearing sets to get your door swinging freely again.
Signs of Pivot Failure
Door Dragging
If the door is scraping the aluminum threshold, the bottom pivot bearing has collapsed. This makes the door heavy to open and damages the floor.
Header Gap
Look at the top of the door. If there is a large gap on the hinge side and the door is hitting the frame on the lock side, the top pivot pin is worn or loose.
Popping Sounds
A loud "pop" or "clunk" when opening the door usually means the pivot pin is grinding in its socket due to lack of lubrication or metal fatigue.
The Solution: Complete Pivot Set Replacement
Pivot sets must be replaced in pairs (top and bottom) or ideally as a full set to ensure alignment. We lift the door off the frame, extract the seized old hardware, and install modern, ball-bearing pivots that are smoother and longer-lasting than the originals.
Why Choose Installix?
- Parts Identification: There are dozens of pivot styles (Offset vs. Center Hung). We know how to ID them correctly to bring the right part.
- Heavy Lifting: Commercial doors are heavy. We have the specialized door jacks and manpower to remove them safely.
- Threshold Repair: While the door is off, we can repair loose or damaged thresholds.
Technical Specifications
| Pivot Type | Application |
|---|---|
| Offset Pivot | The pivot point is 3/4" away from the door face. Used on most aluminum storefront doors. |
| Center Hung | Pivot is hidden in the center of the door thickness. Often used with floor closers. |
| Intermediate Pivot | An extra pivot added in the middle of tall doors to prevent bowing and improve alignment. |
Our Process: Lift, Swap, Drop
Step 1: Door Removal
We detach the closer arm and unscrew the top pivot pin. We carefully lift the door off the bottom spindle.
Step 2: Hardware Swap
We drill out old rusted screws if necessary. We install the new bottom bearing and top pivot, ensuring they are plumb.
Step 3: Re-Hanging & Alignment
We put the door back on. We adjust the height using shims or the pivot's vertical adjustment screw to ensure a perfect 1/8" clearance.
Pricing Factors
- Corrosion: If screws are rusted into the door, drilling and tapping new threads adds labor time.
- Floor Condition: If the concrete under the pivot is crumbled, we may need to use anchoring cement to secure the new pivot.
Our Service Promise
Smooth swinging doors that last.
Why Whitby Residents Trust Installix
Local Compliance
We meet all building codes specific to Whitby.
Fast Response
Our technicians are frequently in Whitby.
Weather Ready
Glass rated for our freeze/thaw cycles.
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