Sliding aluminum closet doors rattling (Air Conditioner, heater, install, room)

[Mr_Geek]

I have these sliding doors on my closet that I think are aluminum. Whenever the heater or air conditioner turn on they rattle horribly. It wakes us up at night. I've start jamming something soft in between the doors and the rattling stops but it's not ideal and probably making the situation worse. I've attached pictures of the doors and guides. The issue is that the doors have too much play. If you look at the pic of the top guides there's too much room in front of and behind the door so you can push it back and forward, maybe 1/4" on both sides. Both doors do this. It's like the guides or whatever they are called are too wide so there's not a tight fit. Any way to fix this other than replacing? It didn't always rattle like this.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Those must be relatively old- most by-pass doors "hang" from a track instead of sit on a track- which appears to be the case with yours.

The pocket is clearly wider than the door thickness- hence the rattling. To remove the door you lift up off the track and lower out of the pocket. I would remove the one on the outer track and check the door for any possible sign of a guide. My guess would be there was something that would keep the door from banging/rattling in the track.

One possible solution, depending on the amount of space, is to install some thin foam tape to the inside edge of the track- that will cushion the door. But again, it would depend on the amount of "extra" room.

[Mr_Geek]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Those must be relatively old- most by-pass doors "hang" from a track instead of sit on a track- which appears to be the case with yours.

The pocket is clearly wider than the door thickness- hence the rattling. To remove the door you lift up off the track and lower out of the pocket. I would remove the one on the outer track and check the door for any possible sign of a guide. My guess would be there was something that would keep the door from banging/rattling in the track.

One possible solution, depending on the amount of space, is to install some thin foam tape to the inside edge of the track- that will cushion the door. But again, it would depend on the amount of "extra" room.

I'll lift the door out of the track and see what I can find. If all else fails I'll try you foam tape suggestion. I have about 1/4" on each sides of both doors. Thanks for the suggestions!