Door Closer Repair: A Step-By-Step Guide

Door closers are mechanical devices that ensure doors close slowly and latch properly. They are generally very reliable, but they often require expert attention. Repairing a door closer can be a complex process, as there are many different types of door closers, and they vary by make and model.

Some common issues with door closers include misalignment, leaking oil, and difficulty locking. If you notice that your door is slamming shut, this could be a sign that the door closer needs adjusting.

It is important to have a trained specialist perform any door closer repairs or maintenance to avoid causing damage or voiding the warranty.

Adjusting the door closer's swing speed

The humble door closer is often overlooked, but it plays an essential role in ensuring a door operates smoothly and safely. It also helps to maintain convenience, safety, and security in both residential and commercial settings.

Door closers consist of a pneumatic cylinder, which controls the speed of the door, and a bracket, which holds the cylinder to the door.

Step 1: Locate the Tension Adjustment Screw

The adjustment screw can usually be found at the end of the pneumatic cylinder, closest to the bracket, when the door is closed. Some door closers may have a case that covers the cylinder and bracket. If you cannot locate the adjustment screw, gently remove the cover to access it.

Step 2: Understand the Direction of Adjustment

Tightening the adjustment screw (turning it clockwise) will make the cylinder close the door more slowly. Conversely, loosening the screw (turning it counterclockwise) will increase the closing speed.

Step 3: Make Minor Adjustments

Only minor adjustments are typically needed—perhaps an eighth of a turn at a time. Make small changes and test the door after each adjustment until you achieve the desired closing speed. Remember, a little goes a long way!

Step 4: Test the Door

Once you are happy with how the door closes, test it a few more times to ensure consistency. Open and close the door around 10 times to make sure it continues to close at the desired speed.

Step 5: Adjust as Needed

If the door is not closing as expected after multiple tests, go back and make further minor adjustments. Repeat the testing process until you achieve the desired results.

Important Notes:

• The average time for a door to swing to 10 degrees from the frame should be around five seconds. However, this can be adjusted to suit your specific needs.
• For fire doors, it is recommended to stick to a five-second closing time when adjusting the door closer.
• If you notice oil in the cover or leaking from the closer body, stop! This indicates that the seals are broken, and the entire door closer will need to be replaced.
• If the door still doesn't work as desired after making these adjustments, you may need to replace the door closer or make other changes, such as adjusting the latching speed or force.

Replacing a broken door closer

Door closers are generally very reliable, but they can malfunction and require expert attention. If you have a broken door closer, you may need to replace it. This guide will take you through the process of replacing a door closer, step by step.

Step 1: Purchase a Replacement

If your door closer is broken, the first step is to purchase a replacement. It's a good idea to take your old door closer with you to the hardware store to ensure that you buy one that is as close as possible to the original. Try to find a replacement that duplicates the style and size of the one you are replacing. This will make the installation process much easier.

Step 2: Remove the Old Hardware

Before installing the new door closer, you need to remove the old one. Start by unscrewing the old door closer and taking it off the door. Be sure to keep the screws and hardware in a safe place so you can reuse them if possible.

Step 3: Install the Jamb Bracket

The Jamb Bracket is the larger, angled mounting hardware that attaches to the door frame. Secure it to the door frame using the large screws provided. If the holes do not align exactly, or if this is your first time installing a door closer, follow the manufacturer's instructions for positioning and mounting the bracket.

Step 4: Insert the "Hold-Open" Washer

Slip the small metal "hold-open" washer onto the protruding end of the cylinder. This will enable you to keep the door open when necessary.

Step 5: Position and Secure the Door Closer

Align the extended end of the door closer with the holes in the Jamb Bracket. Once it is in the correct position, insert the anchor pin into the hole to hold the closer in place.

Step 6: Attach the Door Bracket

Close the door and determine where the door bracket needs to go. If the existing holes align, simply secure the door bracket with the screws provided. If not, you may need to drill new holes. Once the bracket is installed, align the holes with the cylinder and insert the anchor pin.

Step 7: Test the Door

Now that the new door closer is installed, test it to make sure it is functioning properly. Open and close the door a few times to ensure that it moves smoothly. You can adjust the speed of the door by turning the screw on the end of the cylinder. Turning it clockwise will slow the door down, while turning it counter-clockwise will speed it up.

Troubleshooting

If you are having issues with your door closer, there are a few things you can check before replacing it:

• The control arm: Ensure it moves freely without effort. If it is frozen, try lubricating it or adjusting the air pressure screw.
• The air pressure release valve: Adjust the tiny screw located in the back to control the amount of air pressure.
• Obstructions: Check for any obstructions that might be preventing the door closer from moving properly.

If these troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, then it is likely that your door closer needs to be replaced.

Checking the hydraulic arm for damage or obstructions

The hydraulic arm is often the first thing to go wrong with a door closer. It can get bent if it is a top-mounted unit, or the inside bar can get rusty and no longer hold the vacuum if it is a straight unit.

First, check the arm to see if it moves freely without effort. If it does, you can move on to checking the air pressure screw. If the arm is frozen and not moving, this could be caused by the pressure screw being too tight, a lack of lubrication, or an obstruction.

Make sure the arm has not gotten snagged on something, like a screw sticking up or another solid object that might be impairing its movement. For sliding shaft types, it could be that the catch is in the locked position, preventing it from closing. Move this and it should function properly.

If the arm is rusty, apply some lubricant. Higher-quality top arm units generally have a valve that a grease gun can be hooked up to for adding lubrication. If the arm is frozen, try loosening the pressure screw a little and applying some lubricant.

If the arm is bent, you will need to replace the door closer.

Checking the air pressure release valve

On all hydraulic door closer units, there is a tiny screw located at the back that controls the amount of air pressure that is released or comes in. This is known as the air pressure release valve. Adjust this screw to check if the door closer is functioning properly. If the arm still does not move freely after this, the valve has likely seized and will need to be replaced.

If you remove the unit and the arm still does not move in or out, try using a rust remover before applying lubrication. Sometimes, these valves simply get stuck due to prolonged exposure to outside elements, which causes them to seize up. Dismount the device and work its joints with lubrication until the arm moves freely again.

If lubrication and the removal of rust do not fix the problem, then the chamber is likely damaged internally, and the unit will need to be replaced.

Adjustment tips

• Make very minor adjustments, perhaps only 1/8 of a turn at a time, until you are happy with how the door closes.
• Test the door by opening and letting it close to see how much slower or faster it closes. Keep making minor adjustments until the door closes at the desired speed.
• Do not completely unscrew the adjustment screw, or the cylinder could come apart and start leaking pneumatic fluid.

Replacing defective O-ring seals

Door closers are devices that use a combination of closing spring power and hydraulic fluid regulation to safely close a door in a controlled manner. One of the most common problems with door closers is when they begin leaking oil. This can be caused by defective O-ring seals. Hydraulic fluid travels between both sides of the rack gear through small channels, each of which is connected to a hex key screw-type valve with an O-ring. If the O-ring is compromised or damaged, the door closer body will no longer be sealed, and hydraulic fluid will leak from the valve.

To repair a leaking door closer, you must first identify the source of the leak. Oil leaks from a door closer are usually evident by stains on the door or floor. Once the leak is identified, the component must be removed from the door closer to replace the O-ring seal.

• Remove the hex key valve screw by unscrewing it from the door closer. Place the door closer in a vise to catch the oil and prevent spills.
• Take out the old O-ring from the bottom of the valve screw.
• Install a new O-ring.
• Refill the door closer with hydraulic fluid, if necessary, depending on how much oil was lost.

If the O-ring seal on the pinion/arm spindle or the closer body end cap is defective, the repair process will be more involved. For the pinion/arm spindle O-ring, the entire pinion and arm spindle assembly must be removed to access the seal. For the closer body end cap O-ring, special door closer wrenches are typically required to remove the end caps.

Frequently asked questions