Garage door springs balance the door’s weight, enabling smooth manual or automatic operations. These steel springs tend to wear out over time due to high tension. While some can be successful with the garage door torsion spring replacement at home, it’s risky due to tension. Hiring a professional ensures safety and efficient replacement.
When Should You Consider Replacing Garage Door Torsion Spring?
Over time, garage door springs lose their bounce, making the door feel heavier. New springs make lifting easy, requiring just around 10 pounds of force. Aging springs strain garage door openers, which is noticeable when they struggle to lift the door. If your opener struggles or you hear a loud snap, it’s time for garage door spring repair. Old springs might even break abruptly, causing a loud noise like a gunshot, especially when they’re stretched to their limit.
Before swapping garage springs, ensure you get the correct type, size, and diameter. For homes, there are two common springs: torsion and extension. Torsion springs, heavy-duty, and above the door, use a metal rod for support.
Steps to Replace the Garage Door Torsion Spring
Prepare the Door: Secure the garage door shut using C-clamps on the tracks near the lowest wheels. Disconnect the opener. Position yourself to the side on a ladder while handling the spring cones.
Check Tools: Match winding bar size with spring cone openings; most bars fit both ends.
Release Spring Tension: Place the winding bar into the bottom lug of the cone and grip tightly while loosening the set screws. Watch for the force release.
Unwind Springs: Alternate winding bars in cone holes, turning down to release tension. Keep going until the spring is completely relaxed.
Detach Springs: Once tension is gone, unbolt springs from the center bracket and slide them down the bars.
Unhook Cables: Secure the bar with locking pliers, then disconnect cables and drums. Loosen cable drum setscrews and slide drums off, removing old springs. Consider replacing worn cables.
Add New Springs: Put new springs on the bars, right springs on the right, left, and left. The bolt springs to the center bracket.
Reconnect Cables: Reattach lift cables to door brackets. Slide drums onto bars, securing cables. Tighten set screws against the bar to lock them in place.
Wind Springs: Using two bars, wind the springs as instructed, usually 30 to 36 twists. Twist upwards.
Secure Springs: Tap a bar to extend the spring slightly, then tighten the set screws to secure the cone. Avoid over-tightening.
Final Steps: Lubricate springs with garage door spray available in the stores. Remove the clamps, reconnect the opener, and test the door’s movement. Adjust spring winding if needed for proper opening and closing.
Garage Door Repair, Longmont, CO: Your Reliable Partners
At Garage Door Repair Longmont, CO, our dedicated efforts ensure swift and cost-effective solutions for the community. Operating dedicatedly all days of the week, we’re even available after hours to restore your garage door’s functionality. As a local enterprise, we value every customer entrusting us with their garage door needs.
