Before you do this garage door spring repair yourself…
- Lock down the door. ...
- Loosen the unbroken spring. ...
- Unwind the unbroken spring. ...
- Disconnect the springs from the center bracket. ...
- Secure the torsion tube. ...
- Remove the old spring. ...
- Buying replacement parts. ...
- Install the left spring. ...
- Install a new center bearing. ...
- Replace the bottom brackets, rollers and lift cables. ...
Full Answer
How do you fix a broken garage door spring?
The only way to fix a broken garage door spring is to replace it with a new one; there is no way around it. As long as you know your way around tools and have basic knowledge of mechanical systems, you’re good to go. Replacing the garage springs won’t be a pain in the neck for you at all.
How long does it take to rebuild a garage door torsion spring?
If you use the correct tools and follow our instructions, you can rebuild the entire torsion spring system in just a few hours, without any side trips to the ER. We won’t cover how to replace garage door extension spring systems in this story.
What type of springs do I need for my garage door?
The first step is to establish the type of springs in our garage door. There are two main types of springs: the torsion or extension springs. Extension springs are thin and are placed vertically on either side of each horizontal door. Torsion springs are however thick and placed parallel to the garage door right at the top of the opening.
How do you replace a torsion spring on a car door?
Unlike the tension springs, the torsion spring is replaced when the door is closed. Unload the springs using the bar and disconnect from the central rod bracket and pulleys while sliding them off the rod.
Can you repair a garage door spring yourself?
You can definitely replace garage door springs on your own, but it can be a bit tricky and dangerous, and the skill required depends a lot on the type of springs that you have.
How do you fix a broken garage door spring?
0:4216:16Garage Door Torsion Spring Replacement: How to by ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're saying I wouldn't make sure that if your operator has a battery backup you detach the armMoreAnd we're saying I wouldn't make sure that if your operator has a battery backup you detach the arm itself from the garage door in order to do this just pull your cord here. And you're going to go.
How much does it cost to replace a spring on a garage door?
$150 to $350Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost Replacing garage door springs costs $150 to $350 on average. The springs alone typically run $30 to $75 each, but you may find them as low as $15 and up to $100 each. Commercial grade springs can run $300 or more.
How do you reload a garage door spring?
0:154:02How Many Turns to Put on Your Garage Door Springs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow moving on to actually putting turns on your spring. Basically a 7-foot door will have seven andMoreNow moving on to actually putting turns on your spring. Basically a 7-foot door will have seven and three-quarter turns on the spring. Now we find it easier just to use quarter turns.
Can I open a garage door with a broken spring?
But good because, if one or more of the springs on your garage door are broken, you should avoid opening the door. It's usually possible to open the door manually but do not use the automatic opener.
How do I fix my door spring?
Complete DIY projects like a pro!Unwind the unbroken spring. Use two winding bars. ... Secure the torsion tube. Use locking pliers. ... Remove the old spring. Slide the torsion tube over. ... Buying replacement parts. ... Install a new center bearing. ... Thread the cables. ... Wind the garage door tension springs. ... Lubricate the spring.
Can you replace just one garage door spring?
Yes. You may be tempted to save money on parts and labor by replacing just one spring, but you'll likely need to replace both when one spring breaks. Garage doors have two springs, one on either side of the door.
How long does it take to replace garage door springs?
Replacing garage door springs takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type and size of the garage door and number of springs. Old garage doors with several failing parts take up to two hours to replace. A garage door spring tune-up takes 10 to 15 minutes per door.
How often do garage door springs need to be replaced?
How long do garage springs last, typically? The average garage door spring, if correctly installed, should last about 10,000 cycles of opening and closing. If you only go in and out of your garage once a day, that means you should expect a broken garage door spring around 14 years after the spring is first installed.
How many turns on a garage door spring?
A) The amount of turns required on your springs depends on the height of your garage door. If your door is 7ft high then we recommend starting off at 31 Quarter turns on each springs. If you have an 8ft door then start at 34 Quarter turns.
Which way do you wind a garage door spring?
0:070:45How to Find the Wind of a Garage Door Torsion Spring - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWill have threads that match the spring twine a left hand wound spring is mounted on the right sideMoreWill have threads that match the spring twine a left hand wound spring is mounted on the right side of the door. The right hand round spring is mounted on the left. There are exceptions to this rule.
Which way do you tighten a garage door spring?
3:096:30How To Balance a Garage Door - Torsion Spring Adjustment - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet it lean against that brace. Now on this like i said i'm going to go three quarter turns. On eachMoreLet it lean against that brace. Now on this like i said i'm going to go three quarter turns. On each side. One two and three before i tighten these set screws i put a mark about an eighth inch from
Can you repair a broken spring?
1:062:30How to Use Spring Repair Blocks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe repair blocks can be easily installed on a broken spring that is still on the torsion shaft.MoreThe repair blocks can be easily installed on a broken spring that is still on the torsion shaft. Using a spring spreader tool separate. The end coil of one of the end of the broken spring.
What happens when a garage door spring is broken?
A functional garage door opener and spring smoothly lifts and lowers the weight of the door. When the spring breaks the door can come crashing down because it no longer has a counterweight against gravity's pull on the door panels.
How do I know if my torsion spring is broken?
If your garage door's torsion spring is broken you will likely notice the following:Usually the automatic garage door opener will not open the door.When you disconnect the opener and raise the door manually, the door won't stay in the up position.You will see the split in the spring when viewing it.
Why does a garage door spring break?
By far the biggest reason for garage door spring failure is simple wear and tear. Most springs are engineered and rated for about 10,000 cycles – one cycle being the garage door going up and coming back down to close.
How do I replace a garage door spring?
So before you spend several hours fixing your garage door, it’s a good idea to gather a few professional estimates for garage door spring replacement. Start your garage door spring replacement project by getting a rough measurement of your springs (length and diameter). Then measure the width and height of your door.
How do I lock a garage door opener?
Position your ladder to the side of the spring ends so you're never directly in front of the spring cones when they're winding or unwinding. Keep the garage door opener disconnected from power at all times, and lock the door in the lowered position, especially when you're winding the springs.
How to tighten a torsion tube?
Snap a locking pliers onto the torsion tube to lock it into place while you tighten the drums. Rotate the drum to wind the cable into the winding grooves. Pull the cable as tight as possible before tightening the setscrews. Leave the locking pliers in place and repeat the tightening procedure on the other side. You want equal tension on both sides. Otherwise, the door will open unevenly.
How to measure a broken spring?
Measure the inner diameter and length. Measure the inner diameter of the broken spring as shown. Loosen the setscrews on the broken spring and slide the broken portion over to meet the stationary section. Measure the overall length of the springs (not including the cones). Most home centers don't carry all the replacement parts you'll need ...
How to organize a garage?
Shove a winding bar into a bottom hole of the winding cone of the good spring. Hold the bar in place while you loosen the two setscrews. Hang on tight; the spring will push with powerful torque as the screws release. 51 Brilliant Ways to Organize Your Garage.
How much does a torsion spring cost?
Standard torsion springs (about $40 each) have a service life of 7,000 to 10,000 open/close cycles. However, you can buy double-life (25,000 cycles) replacement springs for about $65 per spring. If you have a two-spring setup and one spring breaks, the second spring will break soon.
How to remove cable drum from door?
Starting on the left side of the door, slide the torsion tube to the right so you can remove the cable drum. Then slide the old spring off the tube.
Why do garage door springs break?
Garage door springs are also prone to developing rust that will eat away at the springs. This causes them to break or snap unexpectedly. The sad part about rust being a reason for spring breakage is that it might cause damage to the spring way before it has given you value for your money.
What is the difference between a garage door extension and a torsion spring?
There are two main types of springs: the torsion or extension springs. Extension springs are thin and are placed vertically on either side of each horizontal door. Torsion springs are however thick and placed parallel to the garage door right at the top of the opening. Check your broken spring to find which spring you have.
How often does a garage door open and close?
The garage door typically opens and closes between 3000-10000 times in a year. That is, on average, eight times a day. These springs hold all the weight of the garage door. That makes it easy for us to lift the door to open and close. So we can only imagine how much wear and tear is expected. The best you can do to reduce wear and tear is to make sure not to open the garage doors unless it’s essential.
How does a winding bar work?
The winding bar is inserted in one of the wholes, which then turns the cone. The cone will turn quarter way where you then insert another bar in the next hole, which will lever letting you turn the cone. These two bars will help you alternate, turning the cone in quarters, releasing the tension on the spring.
How to replace an extension spring?
1. Fully open the door. Secure the door open, preferably using C- clamps.
Can springs last without maintenance?
Anything worth having for a long time will not last without proper maintenance. Regularly checking the state of the springs will see that we catch possible breakage or snapping of the spring before it happens. Inspecting your spring’s condition also helps find rust formations.
Can you replace a torsion spring in your own hands?
But as long as one understands the mechanism behind torsion springs and they pay attention to every step of the process, then replacing and fixing the spring will be surprisingly fast and easy.
Safety & Supplies
It’s important to have at least one other person with you to help with this repair and work with the door in the open position. You’ll need the following tools for a basic replacement:
Garage Door Spring Replacement: Choosing a Spring
There are several ways to ensure you are using the correct replacement springs. If possible, use the suggested replacement parts or equivalent ones from the owner’s manual for your garage door. You can also find proper alternatives by using the height and weight of the door.
How to Replace Garage Door Side Springs
Replacing the side springs on your garage door will take several steps. Be sure to read through these before getting started so you are prepared before getting to work.
Garage Door Spring Repair Professionals
Not everyone is prepared to replace garage door side springs, however. If you need them fixed quickly and safely, call Overhead Garage Door today. We provide same-day and emergency services so you wouldn’t worry about your next garage car park.
