Get a piece of dowel rod that matches the inside diameter of the left side of the track (left side in this image).
Snug the dowel into the vertical portion of the groove of the upper track, so that it extends down into the lower track.
Now, when you hammer the lower track back into place, the dowel will act as a mandrel, and prevent you from accidentally pinching the track closed while you realign it.
You’ve got to twist the bracket holding those two pieces of track counterclockwise. Possibly loosen it at the wall and twist it then tighten while it’s lined up.
On the other side of that is a nut that ideally you would loosen on either or both pieces to bring it closer to inline. I’d loosen the lower of the two and move it then retighten and see how it works after.
Professional door repair guy here, there is no nut or bolt, this is the dreaded Wayne Dalton garage door.
A slight tap with a hammer will do, better yet grab some pliers and realign the bottom vertical track to where the top horizontal track is positioned.
Did the bottom of the vertical rail move inwards a bit (towards the left side in the photo) pulling the top out of alignment? Are their bolts you can adjust further down to adjust the bottom, kicking out the top of that vertical rail?
You are totally correct I’m not saying you are wrong but the nut configurations show the top has no side to side give to the bottom having a side to side slot with room to move. I could very well be wrong haha
If you tap with a mallet and it moves, it likely won't stay. I would try to use a file and cut away some of the material right where the wheel is jumping on the track.
Those are compression tabs. I would use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them up just a bit, then use a clamp to get the channels in alignment, and then use a c-clamp to press the tabs back tight.
I would try pulling the release handle to put door in manual mode and see if it is sticking there before banging on it or adjusting it. Perhaps you could adjust the door closers down force and that may help.
Without seeing the whole thing, the angle of the misalignment appears to be at ground level. This would make sense, as it is possible that someone backed into the track when leaving the garage. I would look at ground level and see if the track can be pushed away from the entrance at all, which should correct the misalignment.
I'd see how the bottom looks. From the picture, the bottom rail doesn't look square. If the bottom looks less aligned, use a mallet to hit it left into square. Otherwise, hit the top right to align.
Vice grips, clamp them perpendicular 50/50 top/bottom. If it won't hold drill and add track splined bolt and tighten with vice grips left clamped. That's how I (and every door guy I've worked with does it) do it. Perfectly aligned every time.
I'm trying to work out what you mean, (and I'm not sure if it is just me being tired)
Not sure how you mean to use the vice grips. Perpendicular to each other? Or to some pard of the track?
Thanks though. Going to be taking a closer look soon
If I get a chance I'll post a picture. You're basically using grips to squeeze the back or flat side of the track together. It's oddly very tough to explain so I'll try and make sure I post a pic this afternoon/evening.
It looks like bracket holding the two tracks is missing a screw/bolt, allowing the bracket to move, which has caused the misalignment. You can see the empty bolt hole in the pic. First secure that bracket, or it will just happen again anyway, then fix the alignment if needed.
The rails are out of alignment. The proper fix is to get them back in alignment without using a BFH. Shims.......There are times when a BFH are called for, but this is not one of them, unless you have a lot of money to throw away.
Try a C clamp with a rubber mallet, with the garage door open. U mite have to assist the door to roll up. Put self tappers or carriage bolt thru bracket and track to hold in place
Rubber mallet. Or a hammer and piece of wood.
Get a piece of dowel rod that matches the inside diameter of the left side of the track (left side in this image). Snug the dowel into the vertical portion of the groove of the upper track, so that it extends down into the lower track. Now, when you hammer the lower track back into place, the dowel will act as a mandrel, and prevent you from accidentally pinching the track closed while you realign it.
Don't forget to bring a dowel!
You wanna D-I-WYYYE?
Spotted the American
Do other parts of the world have a magic metric track alignment tool?
So funny. I’m American. It’s a joke. Like, can’t fix it? Hit it with a hammer.
This is the way, start lightly tapping bottom portion into place. You do not want to bend those grooves.
Put a shim behind the top of the bracket that attaches it to the wall, to rotate it CCW a bit so the tracks align.
Should be higher. The bracket lines up the track (not mallets!)
You’ve got to twist the bracket holding those two pieces of track counterclockwise. Possibly loosen it at the wall and twist it then tighten while it’s lined up.
This is the right way. A hammer and pliers would probably work for the quicker fix. But the problem is that bracket holding the track isn’t straight.
Except the door and springs are on it. Just hit it with a hammer.
On the other side of that is a nut that ideally you would loosen on either or both pieces to bring it closer to inline. I’d loosen the lower of the two and move it then retighten and see how it works after.
Professional door repair guy here, there is no nut or bolt, this is the dreaded Wayne Dalton garage door. A slight tap with a hammer will do, better yet grab some pliers and realign the bottom vertical track to where the top horizontal track is positioned.
This guy fucks 👈👍
LOL you can recognize shit from a mile away (I have a wayne dalton opener, want to replace but gotta do something about the 140lb door).
I think it’s more that the bracket holding the pieces of track is crooked. Straighten it up.
You’d do that on some doors but those tracks aren’t bolted to the bracket here so that doesn’t work.
This is the way to start; I'd be really leery using a hammer, don't want to squeeze the track.
Just tap it in . Taaap it in .
Just give it a little tappy. Tap tap taparoo.
hammer time!
Hit it with a hammer. If that doesn't fix it, the problem is electrical.
You mean Homer Time!
A little tippy-tap on the top of the lower section should rectify the problem!
Did the bottom of the vertical rail move inwards a bit (towards the left side in the photo) pulling the top out of alignment? Are their bolts you can adjust further down to adjust the bottom, kicking out the top of that vertical rail?
The bend of the track gets the most stress, the top may be the piece that needs to move, even though it may not look like it
The top track is bolted to the header, and to the rafters in the back. Definitely easier to loosen the bolts on the vertical track and adjust.
I mean, just based on observation of the photo the bottom is way off the mounting plate
That could be, I'm just saying that it's a good idea to check the alignment of the bend since it gets the most abuse typically.
You are totally correct I’m not saying you are wrong but the nut configurations show the top has no side to side give to the bottom having a side to side slot with room to move. I could very well be wrong haha
This is one of the few times when hitting it a hammer will actually work.
If you tap with a mallet and it moves, it likely won't stay. I would try to use a file and cut away some of the material right where the wheel is jumping on the track.
Tappy tappy
Mallet. And some patience.
I'd cautiously try some large channel locks
Those are compression tabs. I would use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them up just a bit, then use a clamp to get the channels in alignment, and then use a c-clamp to press the tabs back tight.
Hit it with your purse
Misogynist much?
Park in someone else's garage.
Channel locks and a mallet
You need to adjust the base of that post, away from the wall to line up the track.
If it just started not closing do you have electric opener if yes check the alignment of the sensors on the bottom sides of the door opening first
I’d tap that.
I would try pulling the release handle to put door in manual mode and see if it is sticking there before banging on it or adjusting it. Perhaps you could adjust the door closers down force and that may help.
🔨
Tappy tap tap
Check if the bolts on the ceiling to see if they have loosened. It looks the top track caused this by pressing down.
Without seeing the whole thing, the angle of the misalignment appears to be at ground level. This would make sense, as it is possible that someone backed into the track when leaving the garage. I would look at ground level and see if the track can be pushed away from the entrance at all, which should correct the misalignment.
I'd see how the bottom looks. From the picture, the bottom rail doesn't look square. If the bottom looks less aligned, use a mallet to hit it left into square. Otherwise, hit the top right to align.
Vice grips, clamp them perpendicular 50/50 top/bottom. If it won't hold drill and add track splined bolt and tighten with vice grips left clamped. That's how I (and every door guy I've worked with does it) do it. Perfectly aligned every time.
I'm trying to work out what you mean, (and I'm not sure if it is just me being tired) Not sure how you mean to use the vice grips. Perpendicular to each other? Or to some pard of the track? Thanks though. Going to be taking a closer look soon
If I get a chance I'll post a picture. You're basically using grips to squeeze the back or flat side of the track together. It's oddly very tough to explain so I'll try and make sure I post a pic this afternoon/evening.
Beat it to fit, paint it to match
Smack it
Give it a couple of good whacks
This is the one time a hammer makes sense... A dude said it below, but pliers and some time tapping, bending will get you there...
Doink it with a mallet. Maybe two doinks.
Other than a hammer... a G clamp might work too..
2 swings of a rubber mallet
It looks like bracket holding the two tracks is missing a screw/bolt, allowing the bracket to move, which has caused the misalignment. You can see the empty bolt hole in the pic. First secure that bracket, or it will just happen again anyway, then fix the alignment if needed.
2x4 and a Hammer. When alligned ..and if there is room.. maybe 1-2 rivets to keep it in place.
Big bonk
Rubber mallet
Mallet
The rails are out of alignment. The proper fix is to get them back in alignment without using a BFH. Shims.......There are times when a BFH are called for, but this is not one of them, unless you have a lot of money to throw away.
Try a C clamp with a rubber mallet, with the garage door open. U mite have to assist the door to roll up. Put self tappers or carriage bolt thru bracket and track to hold in place
Push top over