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How to Adjust a Roller Ball Catch

C.L. Rease

Interior non-locking cabinet and closet doors often utilize a specialized catch that holds a door in place without a standard latch. A roller ball or roller catch uses a ball held in place with a pin that pops into a groove on the door latch.

When properly adjusted, the roller catch holds and releases with little effort. When a roller catch misaligns, the catch will not hold a door closed and must be adjusted.

  1. Push the door closed, then look at the area the where the ball sits against the catch. Open the door. Turn the two screws holding the catch in place with a Phillips screwdriver. Move the catch to align the depression on the catch with the roller ball. Install the catch and close the door to ensure proper alignment between the two components of the ball catch.

  2. Open and close the door. If you notice the ball catch forcing the door outward or if the ball does not reach the catch, remove the screws from the cover plate holding the ball catch in place with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the ball catch from the door. Turn the externally threaded section of the clockwise to reduce the distance the ball extends toward the catch plate. Turn the externally threaded counterclockwise to increase the distance the ball catch extends toward the catch plate. Slide the ball catch into the door. Install the cover plate to hold the ball catch into the door.

  3. Open and close the door. Remove the ball catch from the door if the ball catch does not hold the door closed or if it takes excessive pressure to close the door. Turn the non-threaded section of the ball catch clockwise to increase the amount of pressure required to hold the door in place or turn the non-threaded section of the ball catch counterclockwise to decrease the amount of pressure required to close the door. Reinstall the adjusted ball catch into the door.

  4. Test the door. Stop removing and adjusting the ball catch when the ball catch allows the door to close with little force and the catch holds the door in place.

The Drip Cap

  • Interior non-locking cabinet and closet doors often utilize a specialized catch that holds a door in place without a standard latch.
  • Turn the externally threaded section of the clockwise to reduce the distance the ball extends toward the catch plate.
  • Install the cover plate to hold the ball catch into the door.