Garage door tracks

[TriumphFan]

Hey Gang, I hope someone can point me in the right direction.
Our garage door is large and heavy sectional. It's been in for about 15 years and has started making a racket as it goes up. I traced the sound to the top rollers which I plan on replacing but I am wondering about track alignment.
It's hard to describe so I'll attach a couple of pics.
Does this look right?

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

While the rear track is a tad loose, it is not horrible. Replace the top rollers but check the others, they have all been there the same amount of time, and lubricate all the rollers, hinges and shaft bearings at least once a year. You should be ok.

 

[TriumphFan]

Thanks. The other tracks are perpendicular to the floor. That one track in the first pic looks bowed out a little. I am going to move the track a bit more to the inside and replace all the rollers. I'm a little worried about the roller in the 2nd pic because it looks like the bracket is bent from the weight of the door.
Thanks for your response.

 

[kbs2244]

If the bolts holding the track supports have worked loose they will rattle.

 

[TriumphFan]

If the bolts holding the track supports have worked loose they will rattle.

Good call. I'll check them all.

 

[gnpenning]

What size is the door??? If the rollers are original something is off. Generally the manufacturers only supply long stem rollers for doors requiring double hinges to support heavy doors. You have long stem rollers. Interesting. Also the one top roller has a wear mark on the side of the roller, not a normal place to be carrying the load.

As mentioned all rollers and hinges have the same time of use.

 

[The Cobbler]

be careful on the bottom bracket. don't accidentally loosen the cable (it;s under tension from the spring)

 

[HotrodHR]

Why is your top roller running in a separate track, is the top of the door not closing against the header board when down?

As already mentioned, tighten all the brackets, roller brackets, etc. and lube...

 

[firebirdparts]

Why is your top roller running in a separate track,

That's what a low headroom kit looks like.

 

[TriumphFan]

What size is the door??? If the rollers are original something is off. Generally the manufacturers only supply long stem rollers for doors requiring double hinges to support heavy doors. You have long stem rollers. Interesting. Also the one top roller has a wear mark on the side of the roller, not a normal place to be carrying the load.

As mentioned all rollers and hinges have the same time of use.

It is an 18ft door. The rollers are the originals. I thought the long stems were odd too. I see what you mean by the one roller... that might be caused by the track not being aligned any longer.
I did bring in the left side (as you are looking out from the inside) track and made it perpendicular to the ceiling. It was splayed out a bit as you can see from the first pic.

 

[TriumphFan]

be careful on the bottom bracket. don't accidentally loosen the cable (it;s under tension from the spring)

Thanks for the heads up. How do I change that roller since the cable attaches to the roller mount?

After aligning that left track the door stopped making as much noise.

 

[gnpenning]

You need to release spring tension to replace the bottom rollers.

You don't have double end stiles, no need for long stem rollers. Some manufacturers would have used double end stiles on a steel backed 18 door with windows.

Low headroom doors put more stress on hinges, rollers, sections than larger radius tracks and require more maintenance.

Go with a ball bearing nylon roller for your replacements. Don't use a grease of any kind but rather a dry garage door lube. Do not lube the track as the roller should be, well rolling.

 

[TriumphFan]

Update:
Followed gnpenning's advice and replaced all but the bottom rollers with nylon. Dramatic improvement.
Thanks!

 

[TriumphFan]

Another update. Replaced the bottom rollers by removing the bolts holding the bottom track in place and then releasing the door and lowering it until it cleared the removed track and simply sliding the old one out and the new one in it's place. Repeat for the other side.
I also did this to my smaller third door. The reduction in noise was not as dramatic but I did measure it with my decibel app on my phone. It was ~ 1.5 db improvement which is significant. So worth it...

 

[Wrench97]

Quite a few installers will use long stem rollers on wide doors it gives you a bit extra room when the door gets old and starts to sag while not hurting anything.

The top roller fixture on the right(inside looking out) appears to loose try picking up on the door and see if it moves.

 

[TriumphFan]

Quite a few installers will use long stem rollers on wide doors it gives you a bit extra room when the door gets old and starts to sag while not hurting anything.

The top roller fixture on the right(inside looking out) appears to loose try picking up on the door and see if it moves.

Thanks for the info. I tightened everything up when I replaced the rollers.

 

[nadogail]

Hopefully this has made a positive difference.