Jackshaft opener wobble acceptable?

[jpcjguy]

Hi all,

Just installed some jackshaft openers on my detached. One is an older (2014 but NIB) 8500 and it works perfect.
I then went out and bought a chamberlain RJ0101 from Lowes using a bunch of gift cards I had. Overall it went fine - but there is some wobble and I think it is acceptable? and it is a little noisier than the other. I did ensure it is vertically level and did reset the collar twice and same result....which leads me to believe a slightly bent jackshaft? Door is and insulated 10' wide by 9' high, so not huge or anything.
Here is a video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6qqMqjXNisnGPM5C8
I tried keeping the camera still as possible (after 2 cups coffee!) - but you can see the wobble in the light reflection and I tried to get the right angle with the side mount.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Tracs]

You said the old opener worked fine, so my story might not apply.

So I recently installed a 12x10 door and used the same opener and no wobble. I was worried because I had seen reviews and videos saying they had the same problem as you. I have installed 6 garage doors myself.

When the torsion bar/tube is installed it will sag in the middle slightly. If you just bolt the springs to the middle support bracket while the bar is slightly sagging/bowing, then when in operation the bar will wobble like that because of the runout.

When I install a door I make sure the torsion bar spins without runout. I believe that eliminates the wobbling at the end of the bar that connects to the opener.

Picture this, if you spin a straight bar from one end and it's nice and smooth. But if you spin a bar that is curved it will wobble out of control.

You said you suspect a bent jackshaft. I think your bar could be out of position at the center hanger bracket.

 

[jpcjguy]

Sorry - I should clarify - both doors never had openers. I put the 8500 on my lift bay door and the new chamberlain on the other door.

I guess I could take it off and measure the run out of the end....

 

[jpcjguy]

Ok - got out the laser level and it does appear the center mount is bowed down a little. Tried to take some pics. So can I loosen the lag bolts holding the center bracket a little and bump it up? Not usually a fan of messing around with things related to the springs...
Here are some pics. Had to put the level far on one side on a step of my pull down ladder, hence the line is not a bright on the opener side

 

[manwithtools]

When the torsion bar/tube is installed it will sag in the middle slightly. If you just bolt the springs to the middle support bracket while the bar is slightly sagging/bowing, then when in operation the bar will wobble like that because of the runout.

When I install a door I make sure the torsion bar spins without runout. I believe that eliminates the wobbling at the end of the bar that connects to the opener.

Bingo, most installers just let the tube sag from the weight of the springs on the middle of the tube.

 

[manwithtools]

So can I loosen the lag bolts holding the center bracket a little and bump it up?

Yes, but only loosen the the minimum amount to allow moving it up. Hopefully the screws are not in the bottom of the slots. If they are, you would need to unwind the springs to take the tension off them before relocating the bracket.

 

[jpcjguy]

Bingo, most installers just let the tube sag from the weight of the springs on the middle of the tube.

I guess a slight sag would only affect a jackshaft opener and not have an impact on a manual door or center mount opener?

 

[manwithtools]

I guess a slight sag would only affect a jackshaft opener and not have an impact on a manual door or center mount opener?

Correct.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Timing of the wobble almost appears to coincide with the set screws. I almost wonder if you cranked down on them too hard and distorted the tube.

 

[jpcjguy]

Yes, but only loosen the the minimum amount to allow moving it up. Hopefully the screws are not in the bottom of the slots. If they are, you would need to unwind the springs to take the tension off them before relocating the bracket.

Yes, but only loosen the the minimum amount to allow moving it up. Hopefully the screws are not in the bottom of the slots. If they are, you would need to unwind the springs to take the tension off them before relocating the bracket.

Figures I am not that lucky....does not appear that I have any up play.....

 

[jpcjguy]

Timing of the wobble almost appears to coincide with the set screws. I almost wonder if you cranked down on them too hard and distorted the tube.

hmmm - I did not think I did - but possible. Followed the guideline of 3/4 to 1 full turn after contact on a hollow bar. Guess I could pull it and look...

 

[Codyboy]

Looks like the doors axle is running true and the adapter on the opener is wobbling.
How centered is the axle in the adapter? Is the adapter hole a lot larger than the axle and if so I would shim the axle to make it larger to fit the bigger hole.
I have shimmed pipe to make it larger by using a thin pipe like copper tubing or EMT. Cut off a short piece then split it longways , slide over axle.

 

[manwithtools]

Figures I am not that lucky....does not appear that I have any up play.....

Might be time to call a pro if you are not TOTALLY comfortable with unwinding and winding the springs.

 

[NUTTSGT]

hmmm - I did not think I did - but possible. Followed the guideline of 3/4 to 1 full turn after contact on a hollow bar. Guess I could pull it and look...

You can stand up there on a ladder and hold the tip of a screwdriver (like a dial indicator) at the tubing and let someone else run the door up and down. If might be able to see if that is where it's bent.

 

[Fav Onefour]

I like the trick @NUTTSGT suggests.
The amount of sag I see in the laser level pictures shouldn't cause wobble on the ends. In the big picture that amount of alignment variance isn't a big factor to the short piece of shaft past the end hangers.

I'd also leave the laser in place when you run the door. It is possible the shaft has a bend between center and the end hanger. You may be able to narrow down the location. It's tough with the spring in the way. Watch the spring end for up and down movement as the shaft turns.

 

[jpcjguy]

Ok - so set up dial indicator and opened the door. Thoughts?

Here is a video of me opening the door by the hinge:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pinbYTXAA9P9eGzw7

and without the indicator just because:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/x9EaKSyvYBFeC8U47

 

[Tracs]

Ok - so set up dial indicator and opened the door. Thoughts?

Here is a video of me opening the door by the hinge:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pinbYTXAA9P9eGzw7

and without the indicator just because:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/x9EaKSyvYBFeC8U47

That isn't very much runout at all.

Other things to check while the opener is off are to make sure the opener is mounted in level with the shaft. The instructions say what distance the center of the shaft to the wall mounting surface should be.

The springs/bar could be bolted on the center bracket too far forward/back so it’s not in line with the opener.

 

[jpcjguy]

I agree. That’s not much. I wonder if it will be ok? This is not an everyday door.

 

[Codyboy]

I'll post it again. Looks to me like it is camming.
Large adapter with the set screws and the axle is set to one side of this big hole.
The axle is running true enough indicated by the dial as you can see.
The whole opener is going up and down as it spins.
The axles on my doors are probably 1" OD.
Yours are probably similar.
If the opener adapter has a 1 1/8" or bigger hole and you shove the axle to one side with the set screws then you just made a cam with a 1/4" rise .

 

[jpcjguy]

I'll post it again. Looks to me like it is camming.
Large adapter with the set screws and the axle is set to one side of this big hole.
The axle is running true enough indicated by the dial as you can see.
The whole opener is going up and down as it spins.
The axles on my doors are probably 1" OD.
Yours are probably similar.
If the opener adapter has a 1 1/8" or bigger hole and you shove the axle to one side with the set screws then you just made a cam with a 1/4" rise .

Fair point. Just got out the digital micrometer and the shaft is 1 inch. (.994).
The collar is also 1 inch on the opener (1.005).
Good thought, but I don’t believe that’s the issue

 

[Glemon]

Mine wobbles, it bugged me, I posted about it here, tried various things suggested, still wobbled. Stopped worrying about it, has been working fine for about 4 years now. Will see if I can find the link.

Chamberlain RJ020 Wobbly

I have my new Chamberlain jackshaft garage door opener in. It works fine, as others have noted, slower than center pull, but fine. It does wobble quite a bit in operation. The instructions say if the garage door rod is not straight it will do that and it is normal. But considering the mount...

www.garagejournal.com

Dang, now that I found the link and watched it, it is bugging me again.

 

[jpcjguy]

Mine wobbles, it bugged me, I posted about it here, tried various things suggested, still wobbled. Stopped worrying about it, has been working fine for about 4 years now. Will see if I can find the link.

Chamberlain RJ020 Wobbly

I have my new Chamberlain jackshaft garage door opener in. It works fine, as others have noted, slower than center pull, but fine. It does wobble quite a bit in operation. The instructions say if the garage door rod is not straight it will do that and it is normal. But considering the mount...

www.garagejournal.com

Dang, now that I found the link and watched it, it is bugging me again.

Thanks for that link - I guess I will just go with it - does not appear to be a "death wobble".....but I get you in the fact that it is "bugging you" -as it will me...

 

[Viper98912]

All the ones I've had all wobble to a certain extent. I chalk it up to the thin tubes they use for the torsion bars

 

[jpcjguy]

All the ones I've had all wobble to a certain extent. I chalk it up to the thin tubes they use for the torsion bars

I guess I got lucky with my other lift bay door as that one doesn’t move a bit. Guess I will put it back on and just run it….

 

[Mikes61]

Just a heads up because it happened to me recently. Make sure your door springs are adjusted so the doors are “neutrally” balanced for your jackshaft openers. YouTube has lots of videos.