How to Replace Old-style Garage Door Springs

Whether your garage door has a manual system or an automatic one, the main reason behind its functioning is the springs. These springs are normally of two types, torsion and extension. However, as a garage door opens and closes numerous times a day, the possibility of these springs breaking apart is high. Once they get damaged, opening the door becomes difficult. Hence, the last option is to replace the springs immediately. You can call a repairman to fix the springs for you, but the overall spring replacement procedure is simple. Here is how you can replace the worn-out garage door springs yourself.

1. Tools Needed to Replace Old Garage Door Springs

Only some basic tools are needed to replace a garage door’s springs. These tools are:

Ladder
Winding rod
Safety glasses
Leather Gloves
Wrench
Lubricant
Vise/Pliers

2. Tips to Replace the Springs

Before replacing the springs, here are some tips that you should consider:

Replace both Torsion Springs

The majority of the garage doors feature at least two torsion springs. If any one of them is broken, it is better to replace both. Since both of the springs play an equal part in the functioning of a garage door, there is a possibility that if one breaks down, the other will too.

Automatic Garage Door

If you find a broken spring attached to the automatic switchgear, stop using the garage door immediately. If you keep on using it with a broken spring, you risk damaging the components of the garage door opener. Experts recommend releasing the door from the door opener and holding it open using the C-clamp until the torsion spring is repaired.

3. Remove the Old Springs

Loose the screws of the wrapping cone with the help of the wrench. Insert the wrapping rod into the bottom hole of the wrapping cone. You will feel the spring expand when the screws are loosened. Insert the second wrap into the next hole in the wrapping rod and push it in. After that, remove the second rod as well.
With the help of these two wrapping rods, remove each of the springs. Place the second wrapping rod in the other hole in the wrapping cone. Release the spring one at a time and move one winding rod to the next open position. Continue to release the spring tension by repeating the same action.
When all door springs are loosened and tensioned, use a wrench to remove the bolts connecting the springs to the center bracket. After that, make use of a wrench to loosen the set screw on the cable drum.
Now you can return to the section on how to measure your garage door torsion spring to determine the replacement spring size.

4. Installation of New Springs

Before starting the installation, make sure to check if something else needs to be repaired or replaced. For example, you can avoid using silicone spray lubricant on your garage door to keep the bearings running smoothly. If this doesn’t help, buy a new base plate with a torsion spring.
Starting with the left spring, slide the torsion shaft into place and replace the cable drum. If your garage door has two springs, repeat on the other side.
After replacing the cable drum, place the torsion shaft in the center of the base plate. Then fix the retaining cone to the center plate using the nuts and bolts previously removed.
Tension the torsion spring using a winder rod. You’ll need to know how many turns are needed to get optimal tension. You can follow the recommendations provided by the experts, but if that doesn’t help, you can check on the guide given with the new springs. However, keep in mind to not over-tighten the spring because if you do that, it can break down the springs after some time which can cause severe injuries.
When you have reached the desired tension level, tighten the set screw on the winding cone. Any vise or C-clamp can now be safely removed. Finally, check the door’s balance and lift it, and if it’s in place, consider the whole procedure as a success. However, when you pull down the door, it may require more tension. If it is causing trouble, then you have to adjust the tension. Keep making minor adjustments until you feel that the door is in perfect condition.

By Master Lift Experts replacing or fixing broken garage door springs is easy if you have always preferred DIY methods over hiring a professional handyman. However, there are many safety measures and precautions that you need to follow before working. Any negligence and faulty measures can be dangerous and can cause serious injuries. But if you have the right set of tools and follow the perfect guidelines, you can easily fix broken springs. Not just that, you can save yourself a considerable amount of time and money as well.

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