Which garage door torsion spring
- Thread starter stockrex
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If these are the tension springs that attach to each side of the door, and also back at the opener mounting point, then they're pretty easy to replace yourself. As I recall, they are color-coded for the correct spring rate. Or, there are online guides to help you figure out which to get, depending on door size, door weight, etc.
I have two 8' aluminum garage doors, and replaced all four of my springs a few years ago. One had broken and one was real saggy, so I just did 'em all. Remember to run the safety cable down the center of each one, so when it eventually breaks again, the spring is contained.
If they're the torsion springs that mount across the top of the garage door, along the front wall, then I wouldn't do those myself (I understand they're more dangerous for a DIYer to do).
I have two 8' aluminum garage doors, and replaced all four of my springs a few years ago. One had broken and one was real saggy, so I just did 'em all. Remember to run the safety cable down the center of each one, so when it eventually breaks again, the spring is contained.
If they're the torsion springs that mount across the top of the garage door, along the front wall, then I wouldn't do those myself (I understand they're more dangerous for a DIYer to do).
I don't have an answer but my son has the same problem, 1 broken torsion spring. I have always heard it's best left to a pro to torque that spring up correctly without braining yourself. I will be interested to see the reply's you get. You-tube has videos on how to do it but....
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Not sure how motivated you are... but on alot of doors the torsion springs on the rail over the door are not that difficult to do. Just make sure you get yourself some rod and cut it to and make the tools to
safely adjust the door to retension them after replacement. Read up on the interwebs and youtube and you'll see the degree of difficulty for you to engage in. Springs are usually about 40-80$ without install in my experience...
BurrWinder
safely adjust the door to retension them after replacement. Read up on the interwebs and youtube and you'll see the degree of difficulty for you to engage in. Springs are usually about 40-80$ without install in my experience...
BurrWinder
I do not think they are under tension when the door is open. I would replace both at same time.
Replace in pairs and there is danger so be wary(not hit but experienced first hand).
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
If these are the tension springs that attach to each side of the door, and also back at the opener mounting point, then they're pretty easy to replace yourself. As I recall, they are color-coded for the correct spring rate. Or, there are online guides to help you figure out which to get, depending on door size, door weight, etc.
I have two 8' aluminum garage doors, and replaced all four of my springs a few years ago. One had broken and one was real saggy, so I just did 'em all. Remember to run the safety cable down the center of each one, so when it eventually breaks again, the spring is contained.
If they're the torsion springs that mount across the top of the garage door, along the front wall, then I wouldn't do those myself (I understand they're more dangerous for a DIYer to do).
This is the correct post. Home Depot and Lowes sell the springs. Look at your existing spring for a whiff of paint on one end, you can also take the broken one with you to the store as the diameters differ based on rating. It's not hard to change them out. Not dangerous. Uncouple the garage door opener if you have on, open the door all the way and use a 2x4 to hold it up while you change out the spring(s). The single spring mounted above the door is dangerous.
There are DIY guides on line.
If these are the tension springs that attach to each side of the door, and also back at the opener mounting point, then they're pretty easy to replace yourself. As I recall, they are color-coded for the correct spring rate. Or, there are online guides to help you figure out which to get, depending on door size, door weight, etc.
I have two 8' aluminum garage doors, and replaced all four of my springs a few years ago. One had broken and one was real saggy, so I just did 'em all. Remember to run the safety cable down the center of each one, so when it eventually breaks again, the spring is contained.
If they're the torsion springs that mount across the top of the garage door, along the front wall, then I wouldn't do those myself (I understand they're more dangerous for a DIYer to do).
This is the correct post. Home Depot and Lowes sell the springs. Look at your existing spring for a whiff of paint on one end, you can also take the broken one with you to the store as the diameters differ based on rating. It's not hard to change them out. Not dangerous. Uncouple the garage door opener if you have on, open the door all the way and use a 2x4 to hold it up while you change out the spring(s). The single spring mounted above the door is dangerous.
There are DIY guides on line.
Lots of caveats here. The other thing to check is to make sure the door itself operates smoothly and without binding. If the garage door is wooden and your area is very humid it can gain weight over the years. A rent house I lived in a one point broke it's torsion springs twice resulting in the owner of the house replacing the door.
My house, built in 1996, came with a super cheap version of an Overhead Door brand sectional door that basically fell apart in six years and had to be replaced, after breaking the single torsion spring. Single springs aren't even up to code anymore.
If you have a reputable pro do the job all of this can be checked. In my case the brand new door with all hardware was only about $200 more than replacing the spring.
My house, built in 1996, came with a super cheap version of an Overhead Door brand sectional door that basically fell apart in six years and had to be replaced, after breaking the single torsion spring. Single springs aren't even up to code anymore.
If you have a reputable pro do the job all of this can be checked. In my case the brand new door with all hardware was only about $200 more than replacing the spring.
I replaced my torsion springs for about $50. I bought a kit from an Amazon seller that included the winding bars.
My original springs were a strangely mismatched set, so I did a lot of math and weighing the door and came up with the right spring sizing (length, wire diameter, and coil diameter) to do the job right.
But if you have a matched set that worked fine, you just need to measure carefully and get the same thing to replace it. Google around and you'll find some sites that explain how to measure.
Make sure to watch the videos on how to do this job SAFELY.
I think Amazon is a better way to go than Home Depot for this.
My original springs were a strangely mismatched set, so I did a lot of math and weighing the door and came up with the right spring sizing (length, wire diameter, and coil diameter) to do the job right.
But if you have a matched set that worked fine, you just need to measure carefully and get the same thing to replace it. Google around and you'll find some sites that explain how to measure.
Make sure to watch the videos on how to do this job SAFELY.
I think Amazon is a better way to go than Home Depot for this.
I've done them myself. If you use your brain and take every precaution, it is perfectly safe. Shop around for the price of the springs, the prices vary greatly where I am.
Cheap springs will have less coils and the spring is under more stress when it is wound up. The better springs will have more coils and are under less stress when doing their job. They will last longer.
Cheap springs will have less coils and the spring is under more stress when it is wound up. The better springs will have more coils and are under less stress when doing their job. They will last longer.
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
My understanding is that a properly functioning and sprung garage door should stay open at the halfway point and neither open itself all the way due to spring tension or drop to the ground due to lack thereof.
Right - also it should not open itself from a fully closed state.
This requires the correct spring rate and the correct spring preload.
My understanding is that a properly functioning and sprung garage door should stay open at the halfway point and neither open itself all the way due to spring tension or drop to the ground due to lack thereof.
Right - also it should not open itself from a fully closed state.
This requires the correct spring rate and the correct spring preload.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: stockrex
it is the overhead torsion spring,
31 inch,
I watched a youtube video,
you just have to careful and wind carefully.
I will call around for quotes, I agree it pays sometime to pay some
I've got a heavy old wood ~16 footer that broke a torsion spring 3-4yrs ago. It cost me $360 to have the springs and pretty much all the lifting hardware replaced. Pulleys, cables, torsion tube and end bracket/bearings.
Last year a cable broke. It cost me ~$150 to have heavier gauge cable installed on both sides.
I'd consider a DIY repair on a light 8ft door, but I can't even lift my door myself it weighs so much if the lifting mechanism breaks. Next repair will be a replacement door for me unfortunately.
it is the overhead torsion spring,
31 inch,
I watched a youtube video,
you just have to careful and wind carefully.
I will call around for quotes, I agree it pays sometime to pay some
I've got a heavy old wood ~16 footer that broke a torsion spring 3-4yrs ago. It cost me $360 to have the springs and pretty much all the lifting hardware replaced. Pulleys, cables, torsion tube and end bracket/bearings.
Last year a cable broke. It cost me ~$150 to have heavier gauge cable installed on both sides.
I'd consider a DIY repair on a light 8ft door, but I can't even lift my door myself it weighs so much if the lifting mechanism breaks. Next repair will be a replacement door for me unfortunately.
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I paid someone to replace mine and watched him do it. Afterwards, I sprayed on some LPS_3 to minimize rust over time.
I've done the ones for my parent's door - it was a relabeled Overhead Door, it has a Genie label on it. The local garage door shop had the springs in stock.
I personally know someone who seems to have reasonable mechanical skills that almost died doing this job. On ladder, slipped, tension tool gashed arm, fell off ladder. If a neighbor hadn't randomly stopped by and found him unconscious he might have bled to death. He made a full recovery with no long term side effects. Might be worth having a pro do the job if you aren't real confident.
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