Sliding Door Track Repair
Cap tracks, screw-down tracks, what they cost, and why the rollers usually matter too
By Eric Gregory, 15 years at Complete Sliding Doors · Updated October 1, 2026
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The Quick Answer
A damaged bottom track makes a sliding door bump, grind and drag, and it chews up new rollers fast.
Quick answer: most damaged tracks can be repaired without replacing the door or the frame. We install a new track right over the old one: a standard cap track for most doors, or a heavy-duty screw-down track for heavier impact doors.
Track damage almost always starts with broken rollers, so most track repairs include new rollers too.
Signs Your Track Is Damaged
- The door bumps, catches or jumps at the same spot every time
- Grinding or scraping as the door slides
- The rail on the bottom track is dented, bent, flattened or chipped
- Pitting or corrosion along the track
- New rollers wear out quickly
- The door keeps coming off track
Run a finger along the raised rail. If it isn’t smooth and straight, the track is damaged.
What Damages a Sliding Door Track?
Broken rollers: the most common cause by far. When a roller breaks or seizes, the door drags metal on metal and grinds a groove into the track. If your track is damaged, plan on replacing the rollers too, or the new track will wear the same way.
Salt air: near the coast, aluminum tracks pit and corrode.
Debris: sand, dirt and pet waste packed into the track force the rollers up and out of line.
Impact: heavy objects dropped or dragged across the sill dent the rail.
Cap Track vs. Screw-Down Track
Standard cap track: a new track that fits over the existing rail. It’s the right fix for most doors and the lowest-cost option.
Heavy-duty screw-down track: a stronger track that’s screwed into the sill. It’s built for heavier impact doors. Sometimes the old rail has to be ground out first so the new track sits flat, which adds labor.
When a screw-down track is the right fit, doors roll incredibly well. It costs a bit more up front, and on a heavy impact door it’s usually worth it.
How Track Repair Works
- Take the door panel out of the frame
- Clean the sill and inspect the old track and rollers
- Grind out the old rail if a screw-down track needs a flat base
- Install the new cap track or screw-down track
- Replace the rollers if they’re worn or broken
- Put the door back, adjust the rollers and test the slide
Job time runs from about 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on the track, the rollers and how much prep the sill needs.
Professional Insight
Don’t fix the track without checking the rollers. A damaged track is usually the result of a broken roller, not the cause. Put a new track under old rollers and you’ll be calling us again soon.
For heavy impact doors, ask about a screw-down track. People often choose the cheaper option to save money, but on a heavy door the screw-down track is what makes it glide like new.
What Does Track Repair Cost?
| Standard cap track | about $75 + $150 service |
| Heavy-duty screw-down track | about $125 + $150 service |
| New rollers + new track | usually $300+ |
| Roller + track package, standard-size door | from $320 |
Grinding out an old rail, frame damage, oversized doors or heavily soiled tracks add to the cost. Your estimate is always free.
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Sliding Door Track Repair FAQ
Can a sliding glass door track be repaired?
Yes. Most damaged tracks are repaired by installing a new cap track or screw-down track over the old one, without replacing the door or frame.
How much does sliding door track repair cost?
Track repairs start at the $150 service charge plus parts. A standard cap track is about $75 and a heavy-duty screw-down track about $125. With new rollers, most jobs run over $300, and roller and track packages for standard-size doors start at $320.
What is the difference between a cap track and a screw-down track?
A cap track fits over the existing rail and works for most doors. A screw-down track is a heavier-duty track screwed into the sill, made for heavy impact doors. It sometimes requires grinding out the old rail first.
Do I need new rollers if my track is damaged?
Usually, yes. Track damage is almost always caused by broken rollers grinding into the rail. Replacing the track without the rollers leads to the same damage again.
How long does track repair take?
From about 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on the track type, whether the rollers are replaced, and how much prep the sill needs.
More Sliding Door Guides
- Sliding Door Roller Replacement – broken rollers are the top cause of track damage
- How to Clean a Sliding Door Track – try this first
- Sliding Door Off Track? – causes, fixes and repair options
- Sliding Door Won’t Lock? – lock and handle repair
Track Grinding Your Door Down?
We’ll replace the track and rollers and get it gliding again. Call 561-822-5444 or book online for your free estimate.