Extending garage door track??

[404]

Preamble:
NOTE this is not my door. I have regular tension springs not a torsion spring. Pic just borrowed (ha ha ha) from the intertubes because it is dark out and I am too lazy to take my own pic by default. Plus the garage is a death trap of **** right now and for the past few years, but I can dream....

Now to business.,,,

I want to put my door closer to the ceiling to clear the car when it is on the lift. My idea at the moment is to put a straight section of track in the middle of the curve, between the two green lines.
I would cut the curve and bolt in a straight piece at 45 degrees.

This would put the track higher. I will raise the opener rail to compensate.

This plan seems easy and trouble free, a sure sign I have overlooked something. All Comments and abuse appreciated.

 

[KANSASBOY]

You could hi-left it. http://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/garage-door-high-lift-conversion.php

 

[Ironcrow]

Sure you can do that, but why not cut a straight section off the back and tack it in before the curve? Seems like a more orderly path.

 

[KANSASBOY]

something like this http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236236

 

[upndown]

I've never seen it done on an Extension spring door!

 

[Jlbc212]

You will need to replace the extension springs with torsion springs.

 

[404]

Thank you all for your replies. I had not thought of the spring issue. Maybe I can fake that somehow with the tension springs instead of buying torsion, will have to ruminate on it.

 

[404]

Sure you can do that, but why not cut a straight section off the back and tack it in before the curve? Seems like a more orderly path.

It seemed to me that would put more sideways stress on the tip door panel just as opening begins. Maybe not.

 

[404]

something like this http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236236

Exactly, Thank you.

 

[Jlbc212]

Thank you all for your replies. I had not thought of the spring issue. Maybe I can fake that somehow with the tension springs instead of buying torsion, will have to ruminate on it.

The issue with the stretch springs will be having enough tension on the springs to keep the door in the up position. I won't say it's impossible, but I've never seen it done.

 

[404]

Thank you Jack.

 

[burnedzr2]

My friend raised the tracks up and added a piece on the bottom. His door seems to work ok. He has springs on the sides also. I welded the pieces to the track for him.

 

[dfiler2]

It seems to me the only issue will be needing longer springs. The door will weigh the same, but with an extra length of track it will require more travel if you want the door weight to be all on the horizontal rails when it is fully open. If you only raise the door to the same height above the opening as it does now then the issue will be more weight being left on the springs when the door is open.

 

[upndown]

Why not just convert it to torsion? Get rid of those crappy extension springs! No guess work, correct springs, drums and cables..Problem solved. JMO

 

[txturbo]

Use the same springs and add a piece of chain to one end to make them longer.