Swinging frameless shower door will not open all the way

2 years ago

Our swinging frameless shower door is held in place by two hinges and it can swing in or out by slightly more than 90 degrees from its closed position. It is not auto-closing and has approximately 1/8" gaps on both sides and the bottom and there are no sweeps.

This morning, it's movement with the usual pressure applied stopped at around 60-70 degrees and it will go to 90 degrees in either direction but with the application of significantly more force. The door is still level (checked with a spirit level) and the gaps are still the same. None of the screws appear to have walked out.

And it will stay in any position once left there including the closed one.

Is there anything I can try before calling a professional?

Picture of the hinge is at https://imgur.com/a/dAhZR3D

Thanks

Featured Answer

kudzu9

2 years ago

That's good news! Yes, sometimes the penetrating oil take a while to work through corrosion before the effects are apparent, especially if it's something like those hinges which doesn't get moved all the time. I recommend that you remember to put a drop or two of oil in each hinge maybe 2-3 times a year as a preventative measure. You might consider something like WD40 which lubricates, inhibits corrosion, and is a water displacer.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

kudzu9
2 years ago
How old is this hinge? I'm wondering if you are getting wear or corrosion occurring inside the hinge where it is not visible. Have you tried squirting some silicone-based lubricant into it, or a product that helps break up corrosion, like B'laster PB?

https://www.amazon.com/Blaster-16-PB-Penetrating-Catalyst-11-Ounces/dp/B000I2079E/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=PB+Blaster+spray&qid=1621421239&sr=8-1
ci_lantro
2 years ago
Looks like the top of the hinge is binding. Top. Point closest to wall attachment. But pictures can deceive. Anyway, check that point to see if it explains the problem.
Related Discussions
Frameless, swinging shower door with no bottom jamb?
Q
Comments (7)
There really is no "brand name." They are considered custom doors and they are not sold by Kolher for example. The glass is measured for your application on site along with hardware requirements (clamps and hinges), and then the glass is fabricated. There are online places you can order from if you want to install it yourself. If your opening works for a french door set up, I would recommend that. All you have is 2 hinges on each door...no tracks, sweeps, etc. Makes a very clean maintenance free set up with no silicone. If you do it yourself...measuring is KEY to success. Neat to be super accurate and provide the fabricator you opening dimensions, they will size accordingly. And if your opening is out of plumb, the out of plumb dimension needs to be communicated to the fabricator because the glass SHOULD be cut out of square along the wall side (you will not notice this but the glass will "hug" the wall better and reduce the out of plumb gaps a straight cut would reveal). Custom doors can get very pricey!!! Shop around. You will find a very wide range of pricing...big mark ups for installation in my experience.
...See More
Are all frameless shower doors created equally?
Q
Comments (2)
We used an ID to do our master bath remodel several years ago and she ordered our door from her trusted source....a glass place....I do remember her saying not to order these doors from HD or Lowes because of the glass they use. I would think all frameless would look more or less the same. Have you been to the shop to see an example of what you will be getting. Sounds like this is a reputable company...I would go with them and call it a day.
...See More
Kohler cast iron shower pan and frameless sliding shower door-doable?
Q
Comments (10)
Enduring- thanks for responding. I had seen your shower- it turned out just beautiful. I wasn't sure if in your research you'd explored a sliding glass door or not. To answer your questions. One end of the shower is on an exterior brick wall. The other is flanked by a custom linen closet surrounded by tile with the edges grouted. It's not coming out. If I had no other choice but to do doors, I'm pretty sure I'd have to remove tile on one or both ends and add the blocking- not something I'd like to do if I can avoid it. Likely I'd just have one door and a fixed panel on the other- I'm pretty sure the toilet clearance wouldn't let me do two doors like you have. Though I see your point about having a fixed panel- I can't drill into the shower pan so that wouldn't work either. Hopefully some of the glass guys can give me their opinion about using epoxy to secure clips on the bottom. Thanks again for your help- much appreciated. Lisa
...See More
How do I fix a shower door that swings open like this??
Q
Comments (10)
A real photo would help here. For me, at least, the video clip actually makes it harder to really see what's going on. I assume your problem is that what appears to be a pivot at lower right has broken loose from the glass door. Is that correct? One of the challenges here is to re-bond that pivot in exactly the right place for the door to close properly. You have only once chance to get it right. If I were going to try to fix this myself, I'd probably start by ordering a new pivot and some of the factory adhesive from the company that made the door. There's no adhesive in the world that will hold unless the glass and pivot inside are factory-clean. I'd mark the current hinge position carefully, remove the door from the shower, clean the glass thoroughly (somehow keeping the position mark intact, darned if I know how), and then bond the new pivot following the manufacturer's instructions carefully. I think what I'd be more inclined to do is mark the pivot position, remove the door, and take it to a good local glass shop to be repaired by someone who knows his stuff better than I do. I might even try to order a complete new door from the factory. Whatever you do, make sure you know what you're doing. As others have pointed out, that's a mighty darn big and heavy chunk of glass to have fall and break when you're standing dripping wet and buck-naked next to it.
...See More
Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author
2 years ago
I stood close to the door hinge while opening it and couldn't see anything different as it reached the 70 degree mark though I did hear some creaking. What am I looking for?

Thanks
millworkman
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
From the CRL site (your hinges may not be the Geneva but the adjustments are all the same):

The CRL Adjustable Geneva Series has taken our popular Geneva Hinge to a new level. Adjustment to accommodate the desired angle (up to 90 degree) is done after the door is installed. Once the door is hung, simply loosen the Allen set screws and turn the door to the desired closed position. By merely tightening the Allen screws your door will self-center to the desired closing position. The door can swing 90 degree inward and 90 degree outward (adjusting angle from factory set position will reduce 90 degree swing in that direction). For doors pulling outwards only (using a clear door jamb), you can adjust the hinge to close 5 degree inside the shower area, thus having the door close snugly against the jamb.
Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks, though my problem is not closing but rather opening fully. To my untrained eyes, nothing seems obviously amiss so I may have to call a professional.
Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author
2 years ago
@kudzu9

It is a 10+ year old pair of hinges that were fine until this started happening overnight.

I tried some White Lithium Grease last night but it may not have penetrated and I will try a penetrating oil.
Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author
2 years ago
The oil did not help so I will look for a professional to come to the house
kudzu9
2 years ago
Sorry to hear that. There may be enough deterioration internal to the hinge that no amount of lubricant or penetrating oil can fix it. When you do get it fixed, I'd like to hear what you found out.
Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author
2 years ago
So I decided to take a video of the range of movement of the door to take to the local bath glass place to show them and make an appointment for a service visit. To my surprise, and delight, the door now has its range of motion back!

Can the oil have a delayed effect?

Swinging frameless shower door will not open all the way

kudzu9

Comments (10)

kudzu9

ci_lantro

Related Discussions

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

millworkman

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

kudzu9

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Swinging frameless shower door will not open all the way

kudzu9

Comments (10)

kudzu9

ci_lantro

Related Discussions

Unmesh AgarwalaOriginal Author

millworkman

Unmesh AgarwalaOriginal Author

Unmesh AgarwalaOriginal Author

Unmesh AgarwalaOriginal Author

kudzu9

Unmesh AgarwalaOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author

Unmesh Agarwala
Original Author