Garage door spring rating

[JHZR2]

After the past garage door spring threads, I realize that mine, which are likely aged somewhere from 1935 to 1965, are due a replacement.

They aren't color coded, just rusty. Some stretch at wider expanses coil to coil than other ones do. I'm doing axfull changeout on both sides, I have two singlewide wood doors. I just need to select the spring.

I found a little paper wrapped around the end of one. Howard Spring Company... Surely made in the USA and of higher quality than anything I'll replace them with.

Part number is 2542 135. I'm assuming that means it is a 135# spring.

Is that sensible for an old wood door?

Thanks!

 

[NHGUY]

Isnt it amazing how long things used to last? Manufacturers (today)made sure that mistake wont happen again....

 

[Jeepster_nut]

Well, my ranch with a two car garage and wooden doors (apps 6ft high by 8 ft wide) use a 150# spring (2 each). Wood is heavy I would consider the 150# springs.

 

[Dan55]

You might be able to weigh it with a bathroom scale http://www.garagedoorpartsllc.com/color-codes.html door weight calculator http://www.garagedoorpartsllc.com/weight-calculator.html

 

[fdcg27]

135 lbs is probably about right for an old wooden overhead door.
The new ones will look nothing like the old ones, being of much lower quality.
I'd advise replacing the cables while you're at it, as these also break eventually.
We have three single width overhead doors on our garage, and I've replaced a few springs and cables.
Make sure you match both springs, as the door will otherwise bind and be hard to raise.

 

[Stu_Rock]

I wouldn't be so worried about the quality of the new springs. I bought new springs for my garage a year ago and they are much nicer than the original (1959) ones. Still made in USA.

The new springs should come with safety wires running through the middle. That, in itself, puts them far ahead of vintage springs.

 

[JHZR2]

Where did you get yours and what brand? I want to get the US made ones if at all possible, but if I can cut the wild goose chase, it helps...

 

[Stu_Rock]

Sorry for forgetting to follow up on this. I got mine at Orchard Supply Hardware, which is of no help to you in NJ. I don't know the brand; I'll have to take a look at the packaging next time I'm at OSH, which will probably be this weekend.

 

[Stu_Rock]

I checked on my springs. They are from Century Spring Corporation, and they are made in Los Angeles.

 

[JHZR2]

Ok, talked to century, going to get us made at a lower price than HS sells.

Issue is they have 130 and 140, while mine are 135. Which should I buy???