01
Four groups make up the system
Frame and pocket
Header, split studs, floor plate, jambs, and trim create the opening and storage cavity.
Running gear
Track, trolleys, wheels, hanger plates, and adjusters suspend and carry the door.
Travel control
Guide, stops, bumpers, soft-close devices, and synchronizers control movement.
User hardware
Flush pulls, edge pulls, latches, privacy locks, and strikes operate and secure the door.
Door weight goes through the hanger plates and rollers into the track and header. The floor guide steers the slab; it should not support it.
02
Frame and pocket parts
Structural header
Framing above the rough opening transfers wall loads around the doorway. In a bearing wall, its size is a structural decision.
Failure clue: sagging track or changing floor clearance.Track support / frame header
The kit's horizontal member locates and supports the track. It must remain straight and level.
Builder check: fastening schedule and access before trim.Split studs / pocket uprights
Paired narrow members create the cavity while leaving its center clear. Reinforced steel versions resist bowing.
Failure clue: rubbing only while the slab is inside the pocket.Floor plate and brackets
The base channel or brackets hold the split studs in line and establish pocket width.
Builder check: finished-floor height and approved anchors.Jambs and casing
Jambs line the opening; casing hides the wall joint. Removable head trim may preserve service access.
Do not glue or bury trim designated as removable.03
Track and running gear
Overhead track
A formed metal rail guides the trolleys. Profile, length, splice design, and rating must match the opening.
Check: level, dents, debris, fasteners, and access.Roller trolleys
Wheeled carriers run in the track. Designs include paired wheels and four-wheel ball-bearing assemblies.
Check: wear, seating, rating, and track compatibility.Hanger plates
Door-top plates connect the slab to the trolleys. Their template location affects balance.
Check: loose screws, threads, and pulled fasteners.Height adjusters
Threaded bolts or cams set height and plumb. They cannot correct a sloped track or bowed frame.
Check: lock nuts are tight after adjustment.Replacing running gear? Review a heavy-duty track and four-wheel hanger package.
04
Guides, stops, and motion controls
| Part | Job | Selection / installation note |
|---|---|---|
| Floor guide | Prevents bottom-edge sway. | Match door thickness or groove; align with the track centerline. |
| Open stop | Limits travel into the pocket. | Keep the edge pull reachable and protect the hanger. |
| Closed stop | Sets fully closed position. | Coordinate with strike, latch, and jamb reveal. |
| Soft-close / open | Decelerates the slab. | Verify width, weight range, hand, and activator location. |
| Synchronizer | Links biparting doors. | Requires accurate cable or belt setup and service access. |
| Self-closer | Returns the slab after release. | Confirm force, hold-open behavior, and accessibility. |
05
Door slab and operating hardware
Door slab
Finished weight—including mirrors, pulls, glazing, and panels—determines the hardware class.
Bottom groove
Some guides run in a routed groove. Its size and position must suit the guide.
Flush pull
A recessed face pull moves the slab without projecting into the pocket.
Edge pull
A folding or spring-loaded edge pull retrieves a door stored flush in the wall.
Latch / privacy lock
Compact hooks or catches engage a jamb strike. Passage sets pull only; privacy sets lock.
Compare passage and privacy pulls ↗Strike plate
The receiver must align with the latch at final door height. Adjust the slab first.
A thicker floor, swollen slab, protruding screw, or bowed stud can consume a small but essential running gap.
06
Which part should you inspect?
| Symptom | Likely part | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Door drifts | Track / header | Verify track level. |
| Scrapes inside wall | Split studs / fasteners | Find bowed framing or screw tips. |
| Swings at bottom | Floor guide | Tighten and center the guide. |
| Uneven jamb gaps | Hanger adjusters | Set slab height and plumb. |
| Rough travel | Track / wheels | Inspect for debris, dents, wear, or overload. |
| Disappears too far | Open stop | Reset the stop. |
| Latch misses | Door / lock / strike | Align door before strike. |
| Soft-close misses | Damper / activator | Check position, hand, and rating. |
07
Parts compatibility checklist
Use track, trolleys, stops, and motion controls from one compatible system when possible. “Pocket door part” is not a universal size.
Need parts or a complete system?
Identify the series before ordering the component.
Bring the track profile, frame type, door dimensions, completed weight, and photos of existing hardware.