Noisy door openers

[Dadillac]

So yesterday I had both garage doors replaced. Now both openers are noisy. I know that I should contact the door company and have them fix whatever the issue is. But I would rather just figure it out and correct it myself if the solution is an easy one. So the old doors were a 1 1/2 inch thick insulated door and the new ones are 2 inch thick. So the new ones are heavier. But I would imagine that the new springs would take that into account and the added weight shouldn't be the issue. The noise is absolutely coming from the openers and not the new door or hardware. Almost as if the doors are struggling. Is there a setting that needs to be adjusted? I know very little about door openers and figured I would get better info in here than if I Google searched for the next few hours. Thanks for any info that you all can provide

Don

 

[Dadillac]

Sorry the openers are Chamberlain Whisper Drive units that are somewhere between 10 and 17 years old

Don

 

[tbm5690]

Sorry the openers are Chamberlain Whisper Drive units that are somewhere between 10 and 17 years old

Don

Are they 1/4 horse? Might be struggling if the doors are heavy.

 

[Mechanician]

Even if the doors are heavier, the springs should be able to equal out the force required.
Adjusting the springs is not considered a DIY job.
Call them back, while it's new.

 

[ecotourist]

Even if the doors are heavier, the springs should be able to equal out the force required.
Adjusting the springs is not considered a DIY job.
Call them back, while it's new.

Yes the springs should be adjusted but don't even think of adjusting them yourself. I saw 2 broken arms within a few days from DIY guys replacing overhead door springs (which is very similar to adjusting them).

Yes you could learn to adjust them yourself but how often do you plan to do this dangerous job.

You've paid for the job. Get them to finish it.

 

[Dadillac]

The springs were adjusted correctly. One turn per foot of lift. 7 foot lift and he put 7 1/4 turns. So definitely not because the springs aren't adjusted right. The openers were quiet as usual while he/we were testing. They got noisy after he left. Definitely sounds like it is coming from the motor unit or maybe the gear under the cover. The installer adjusted the stops and the force on the openers. I have never put any lube on the belt shaft. Am I supposed to? Or is that shaft supposed to stay dry? Spitballing here

Don

 

[ecotourist]

I suspect that 1 turn per foot is only a spitball figure. Could be more, could be less. Depends on the weight of the door.

If you disconnect the door and the rail (using the 'power is out' disconnect) does the door go up easily? If not, it isn't adjusted properly.

 

[BHopkins]

My understanding of how to verify that garage door springs are properly adjusted, is different from what you describe.

I have been taught that you disengage the door from the opener. Then you should easily be able to open and close the door by hand. Lift the door by hand to about half open, and let go of the door. It should stay in place, about half open, on it's own. If the door does not stay half open, and wants to go down, there is not enough tension on the springs. If it goes up on it's own, then too much tension.

 

[Nukeman7]

My understanding of how to verify that garage door springs are properly adjusted, is different from what you describe.

I have been taught that you disengage the door from the opener. Then you should easily be able to open and close the door by hand. Lift the door by hand to about half open, and let go of the door. It should stay in place, about half open, on it's own. If the door does not stay half open, and wants to go down, there is not enough tension on the springs. If it goes up on it's own, then too much tension.

^^^This is the standard process to check a garage door for proper balance. It should also stay put at 1/3 and 2/3rds open with little up or down movement (see video below).



You stated that 7-1/4 turns on the spring is what they set it at. However, I usually use 30-31 quarter turns for an insulated 7 foot tall door. That equates to 7-1/2 to 7-3/4 turns, so your door springs might need another 1/4 or 1/2 turn.

 

[Dadillac]

I replaced the openers with new Chamberlain units. These have a 1 1/4 HP motor so plenty of power. Doors are quiet again

Don

 

[CarbonToast]

Yes the springs should be adjusted but don't even think of adjusting them yourself. I saw 2 broken arms within a few days from DIY guys replacing overhead door springs (which is very similar to adjusting them).

Yes you could learn to adjust them yourself but how often do you plan to do this dangerous job.

You've paid for the job. Get them to finish it.

I have redone 3 garage door spring systems DIY. Converted broken wayne dalton systems to standard springs. The parts are dirt cheap, around $100/door.

Other than falling off a ladder. How do manage to break an arm doing this?

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I have redone 3 garage door spring systems DIY. Converted broken wayne dalton systems to standard springs. The parts are dirt cheap, around $100/door.

Other than falling off a ladder. How do manage to break an arm doing this?

I've replaced them too. My guess would be not using the right tools to wind the springs. I was kind of nervous but it was easy.

 

[ecotourist]

I have redone 3 garage door spring systems DIY. Converted broken wayne dalton systems to standard springs. The parts are dirt cheap, around $100/door.

Other than falling off a ladder. How do manage to break an arm doing this?

I believe the wrench holding a coiled spring broke their arms. However they did it, 2 guys broke their arms doing the same job within a few days and neither one fell off the ladder. Seeing that leaves an impression.

Actually I think it was lack of knowledge of what they were doing and the potential energy of a coiled spring that broke their arms.

 

[Lubener]

I don't have a door opener. I never felt I needed that luxury but being noisy especially older units must be common. I can tell everytime when my neighbor comes and goes about a dozen times during the day.

 

[tbm5690]

I don't have a door opener. I never felt I needed that luxury but being noisy especially older units must be common. I can tell everytime when my neighbor comes and goes about a dozen times during the day.

D/C motors with belt drive can be had easily now...very quiet. Your neighbor's is probably an old A/C chain drive.