Single Torsion Spring Replacement
The following instructions for fixing garage door springs are for do-it-yourself homeowners and for maintenance repair men who service their smaller commerical or industrial overhead doors. They are written to help the DIY homeowner and maintenance repair men replace a torsion spring that is mounted on one side of an anchor bracket above the middle of the garage door as pictured above. This is a right wind spring mounted on the left side of the spring anchor bracket. Springs mounted on the right side of the bracket are normally left wind. If you have two springs mounted above your garage door, see our standard torsion spring replacement tutorial.
Choosing The Right Spring Size For My Garage Door
Before you choose the right spring size make sure you know which type of spring system your door uses, torsion or extension.
Torsion springs are located over the garage door and the number of springs depends on the size and weight of the door. Extension springs are located on each side of the door near the upper rails, there should always be two extension springs and cables.
WARNING: TORSION SPRINGS, EXTENSION SPRINGS, AND OTHER GARAGE DOOR COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY. PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION AND REPAIR IS RECOMMENDED.
Step : Adjust The Springs
This is the technical part of the process where you have to see in the manufacturer instructions, i.e., the number of twists needed to load the winding cone and torsion spring. Generally, it needs 30 to 36 quarter twists to fully tighten the spring. Also, the twists should be done in an upward direction.
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How Much Does Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost
The average lifespan of garage door torsion springs is around 10,000 cycles. Opening and closing your garage door one time counts as a cycle. For most households, the springs should typically last anywhere between 4-9 years. So as an example, if you open and close the door of your garage four times a day over a year, you should get just under seven years of use out of your garage door torsion springs. But with a garage being used instead of the front door, kids in an out of the garage with their bikes, and so on, this figure can vary widely.
You can save some money by doing the job yourself, especially if you have the tools and an experienced DIYer. However, hiring a garage door repair expert to carry out the work will ensure that the job is handled professionally and, most of all, safely. We will discuss the safety risks shortly but be aware that this repair task can be dangerous, so a degree of confidence and knowledge is needed to handle it safely.
Garage door springs are affordable parts to purchase and will cost from as low as $15 and up to $100 depending on the type of springs you are installing. If you decide to do the job yourself and go the DIY route, then there are several costs to factor in addition to the expense of the springs.
As we have already discussed, the safest and most efficient way to replace your springs is by hiring an expert. On average, the cost for spring replacement will be between $200 and $400.
Getting Started: Safety First
The following procedures are based on my 26 years in the garage door industry. In spite of my high mechanical aptitude, even after 18 years in the business I lost the end of my left index finger. A few years later I had five stitches in my right thumb, and a year later five stitches in my left thumb. In the last year the emergency room staffs have dug steel out of my eye and sewn up my ring finger with eight stitches. The best I can do is help you minimize the risk of injury thatâs all I can do for myself. I am not so naive to think that I have made my last trip to the emergency room. Repairing garage doors is dangerous work.
It is impossible to cover every dangerous situation you may encounter. The directions below hopefully will help guide you in safely replacing your garage door springs, but there are no guarantees. Pay special attention to the warnings that appear in red.
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When To Call Professionals
With thousands of garage door technicians in the country, you always have the option to ask them for help. If youre confident with your DIY skills and have lots of time to spare, its unlikely for them to be necessary. However, some untoward situations need professional intervention.
After finishing the installation, the door might not function. If you exhausted every possible solution within your capabilities, its time to call the experts. It can be a safety hazard since the doors tension can increase over time.
Besides, attempting DIY on some garage doors will void their warranty. Check your warranty first before doing your single torsion spring for garage repairs.
What Tools Are Needed To Replace A Garage Door Spring
Before you begin replacing your garage door spring, its essential to have the right tools for the job. Depending on the type of spring you have, you may need some specialized tools. Generally speaking, however, these are the basic tools youll need:
A screwdriver Youll need a flat-head and a Phillips-head screwdriver for a variety of tasks.
A wrench Wrenches come in all sizes, so make sure you have the right size for the job.
A socket set This is a must-have if youre dealing with a torsion spring.
A drill This is necessary if youre dealing with a torsion spring as well.
A ladder You may need a ladder to reach the top of the garage door.
Safety glasses Make sure you have a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes while you work.
As you can see, replacing a garage door spring can be a complicated task. Its important to have the right tools for the job to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Be sure to double-check your supplies before you begin so that you have everything you need to replace your garage door spring safely.
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Garage Door Weight Vs Extension Spring Size
Finding the right extension springs for your door is easy if the color hasnt worn off the end. The garage door industry has a standard color chart for the strength for springs. The official color codes are set by the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association International . The strength refers to how much weight the springs need to lift.
If the color has worn out on your extension springs, you can attempt to weigh the garage door using the steps below and find the right color-coded springs using the chart provided.
HOW TO WEIGH A GARAGE DOOR WITH EXTENSION SPRINGS
The best practice is to contact a professional unless youre extremely comfortable handling a garage door. Do not attempt to weigh or repair garage doors alone.
DASMA COLOR SPRING SIZE CHART FOR EXTENSION SPRINGS
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DOOR WEIGHT |
How To Adjust A Garage Door Spring
This article was co-authored by Barry Zakar. Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 752,243 times.
Garage door springs offset the weight of the door and allow it to open and close with ease. A problem with the spring tension could cause the door to open or close unevenly, improperly, or at the wrong speed, and adjusting the springs will likely solve the problem. Garage doors come in different styles that use two different types of springs, and whether you’ve got an easy fix on your hands or a more difficult and dangerous task will depend on what style of door you have. You may be better off seeking the services of a professional if your door has torsion springs, especially if you don’t have the proper tools, have no experience, or lack a mechanical background.XExpert SourceHandymanExpert Interview. 20 August 2020.
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Why Does The Size Of The Garage Door Spring Matter
The garage door is likely the largest moving part of your home. The door itself can be extremely heavy, the starting weight of single doors is about 130 pounds and larger or heavier doors can weigh over 350 pounds. As a counterweight, the springs provide balance and stability to the door opening system. They make lifting the door more efficient, saving energy, and reducing the stress on the automatic openers motor.
To keep your garage door functioning smoothly as long as possible it has to be properly assembled with the correct parts and it needs proper maintenance. Installing the door with the correct spring matters, youll likely only worry about this when you need to replace a spring.
The size of the spring will depend largely on the weight of the door. Remember, the spring is a counterweight so it needs to be the right size to properly lift and lower the garage door. Operating a door with the wrong size spring can cause damage to the door operator and potentially create a dangerous situation where the door could fall.
Removing The Old Springs
After the springs have been fully unwound, they can be removed and replaced in a few easy steps:
- The drums are the two circular pieces on either side of the garage that the cables are wound around. Make a Sharpie mark on both the drum position and where it meets with the shaft will make for easier alignment when the new springs are attached.
- Remove cable Unhook the cable from the drums and place it in a slot on the garage so it doesn’t get damaged.
- Loosen drums Take a 7/16 wrench and loosen the drums on both sides of the garage.
- Remove drums and springs Once the drums are both loosened, the shaft can be pushed through on one side for removal of the drums, springs, and any bearings. Make sure to keep the bearings in case they aren’t included with the new set otherwise, toss the spring so it isn’t stepped on later.
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Lump Together The Torsion Springs To The Spring Tube
Another point to note, make sure the tools you need, you and your assistant, are inside the garage before you close the door.
Come to the main point- how to set torsion spring on the garage door.
The garage door should have one or two torsion springs, with each spring consisting of spring coils, a winding cone, and a stationary cone. Luckily, the spring coils are all color-coded based on spring size, while the winding cone is also color-coded separately, black or red. The winding cone color helps you establish on which side of the garage door the spring is used.
But just to make sure you are on the right side, red winding cone torsion springs should be used on the left side of the garage door, while black winding cone torsion springs should be used on the right side of the garage door from inside facing out.
Note that failure to correctly install the torsion springs will cause the door to malfunction and could cause severe injury.
Also, if your garage has low headroom, consider consulting supplemental low headroom instructions since these instructions will not be of great use to you.
Slide the torsion springs onto the designated spring tube, with the red winding cone going to the left end and the back winding cone going to the right end.
Next, install cable drums, which are also color-coded. The black drum goes on the right while the red drum goes on the left. The set bolts on the drums should face the springs. Can a garage door work with one spring? Well, it depends.
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Broken Garage Door Spring Replacement Tips
Here are a few tips to consider before carrying out a spring replacement.
Replace both torsion springs Most garage doors have two torsion springs if you discover that one spring is broken, it is always wise to replace them both. As they are both used equally in the garage doors open and close cycles, the other wont be far behind if one suffers from wear and tear.
Automatic garage door opener If the spring is broken and you have an automatic door opener, stop using it immediately. If you continue to use it with the broken spring, you stand a high risk of damaging the garage door opener components. Experts suggest that until the torsion springs are repaired, release the door from the opener and use C clamps to hold it open. Youll likely need others to help you with this, as garage doors can weigh up to 400 lbs or more.
Difference Between Torsion Springs And Extension Springs
The 2 primary types of garage door springs in the market are extension and torsion springs. Both types of springs must meet the DASMA Standard of a 10000-cycle life. Into the job of counterbalancing the garage door just in different ways.
Extension springs counterbalance. The sectional garage door by the expansion and contraction of the spring. The extension spring has looped ends for mounting. It supports and attachment for pully and cable assembly.
Most of the company sells the extension springs with the variety of different ends on them. Including single open loops, double looped ends, and clipped ends. In comparison, the double-looped and clipped ends are sturdier and more durable than and open looped end. They are also more difficult to replace.
There are also specific extension springs. That are made for one piece of door applications. These are the doors that swivel and pivot open versus a sectional door that overhead. Extension springs follow the DASMA color coding. It relates to the pounds that the spring can carry.
The different color-coding used for torsion springs, which is based on the springs wire size.
Extension springs follow the DASMA color coding. It relates to the pounds that the spring can carry. The different color-coding used for torsion springs, which is based on the springs wire size. The spring manufacturers print the wire size and length of the spring on the stock springs.
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Important Safety Considerations Before Replacing Garage Door Springs
Garage doors are dangerous, which is confirmed by the statistics, with over 30,000 people injured each year. This isnt just limited to injuries but deaths from garage door accidents. A garage door can weigh over 400 lbs if the springs break, they can fall and become damaged or, in the worst-case scenario, result in injury or death.
But the most significant potential danger is when the spring breaks and people without the right knowledge or experience attempt to undertake the replacement. This is why unless you are confident in your abilities and are prepared to follow safety procedures and use the right tools, leave it to the professionals. With reports of people being maimed, losing limbs, and even killed replacing garage door torsion springs, this is why we strongly advise you to consider your options.
You should ensure that you wear personal protective gear such as safety glasses and strong gloves, ideally made from leather or some other durable material.
A lot of the work will be carried out on a ladder and will require a reasonable degree of arm strength as you will be working overhead a lot of the time. Make sure the ladder is steady ideally, it will make the job much easier if you have someone to assist you. They can hold the ladder, pass you up tools, and help you finish the task faster. When you are winding or unwinding, ensure you position the ladder to the side of the ends of the spring.
Understanding The Different Types Of Garage Door Springs
Now that weve gone over the safety steps to take when replacing a garage door spring, lets take a look at the different types of springs. Garage door springs come in two varieties extension springs and torsion springs. Extension springs are installed along the sides of the garage door, while torsion springs are located at the top of the garage door. They also include a drum and a cable set which requires regular service for your doors garage operation.
Extension springs are generally easier to install than torsion springs, but they tend to be less durable and need to be replaced more often. They also require more frequent maintenance and adjustments. On the other hand, torsion springs are more durable and can last up to 10 years with proper care and maintenance.
When it comes to replacing a garage door spring, its important to know which type of spring you have so that you can take the necessary safety steps. Knowing the type of spring you have can also help you to determine the cost of repair and replacement.
With a better understanding of the different types of garage door springs, its time to move onto the importance of proper maintenance for them.
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