Adjusting 40yr old Garage door.

[petee_c]

Had a mishap a couple months ago,

while using the opener to lower the garage door, it got stuck. A broom or shovel got in the way while the door was going down, and the cable popped off the pulley on the far side.

I got the 1/2" winding bars from Amazon. (should have just bought 1/2" stock from HD) and got the pulley's working fine now. Door lifts with little effort, but doesn't stay in position unless near the top of the travel.

Is it a function of the springs just loosing springiness/energy over time? That door is used the least of the 3 we have. It is a 9' wide door, insulated aluminum. It has spent 99.9% of it's 40 yr time in the down position, so with the spring at the most tension. It's natural up position is maybe 2" lower than where I'd like it to be.

Should I add 1/4-1/2" turn to the spring? or just leave it. It will be operated by a garage door openner once I get the carriage fixed.

Spring appears to be in good condition. We moved in 20 yrs ago, and I oiled it soon after we moved in, and every few years since.

 

[Wrench97]

Single spring door as opposed to double correct?
Carefully loosen it up while holding a winding bar in place, give it a 1/4 turn and try it.

 

[petee_c]

single spring.

it took just under 1/2 a turn, but now it doesn't fall to the ground if I let go anywhere above waist height. thx

 

[Recoveryman]

Petee_c: With 40 yr old spring, maybe it's time to replace the spring. Just think, that much time, maxxed out. Most springs don't last that long.
Recoveryman

 

[petee_c]

i was doing some research, and the springs are rated for 10-20K cycles. Each cycle being 1 open/close.

5x/week might be realistic for this door, and 40x52x5 = ~10K cycles.... This bay only houses a summer car, and bikes, so it's not really used for 6 months of the year.....

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The other 2 bays of the garage get daily driver use....
We've been here 20 yrs, Previous owners 20 yrs.

40x365x2 = 29K cycles maybe.....
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Maybe they've lasted this long because they aren't wound as tight? I believe they are all 9' x 7' tall doors.