Changing extension springs with a torsion spring

[Junkman]

I have 2 four panels of insulated doors in my garage, one at each end. On the rear door, the installer used a 12" radius track and a torsion bar, and on the front door, he used a 10" radius track with extension springs and a low headroom top hinge. At the time, I asked why he didn't make them both the same, and he said that there wasn't enough headroom at the front door to install a torsion bar. At the time, I just accepted his explanation and didn't challenge what he said. Now, I would like to replace the extension springs with a torsion bar, but I am not certain if it is possible because of the 10" radius track and the low headroom top roller. Since both doors are the same, I was going to use the spring measurements from the rear door to purchase the correct spring for the front door. What, if any problems should I be looking out for? Eventually, I would like to install a side winding (Liftmaster 8500) garage door operator on this door.

 

[NeubCont]

I currently am working with a similar situation.
My project is a rental property a good distance from me and am only able to “weekend warrior”
I will post pictures when I can.

I contacted this company via website.
DDM Garage Doors

Sectional Garage Door Extension Springs

Garage door extension springs for sectional overhead-type residential, commercial and industrial doors. We give instructions on replacing broken extension springs and worn pulleys.

ddmgaragedoors.com

There are a couple of good DYI tutorials and links.

Some of the pertinent info was weight of door and radius of track etc.

I called the 1-800 number and had good interaction with the phone rep.

Good Luck on your project

 

[Junkman]

Still looking for some suggestions... thanks Junkman

 

[jstroede]

The 8500 is not recommended for use with 10" radius track. The super sneaky top fixtures are no problem, and I don't know if they would better allow the 8500 to function. It looks to me that on the left side you would have room to put the bearing plate and drum up in there and run a torsion shaft no problem. It is hard to tell 100 percent on the angle of your photos though.

On a side note, when were those doors put in? They look very familiar.

John

 

[Junkman]

The doors were installed in 1992 from memory, however, there is no name on them. They are steel insulated doors. I have a Liftmaster 8500W that I just bought on eBay ($512) plus tax with free shipping. The instructions don't say anything about the 10" radius track. I have plenty of room to get the torsion bar onto the track, it was the funky-looking top hinge bracket that has me concerned. The 8500 will mount on the left side, and the cable switch will need to be mounted on the right side, and I have all of this already determined. I actually could get the operator on the right-hand side using the low headroom adapter that Liftmaster sells.

 

[jstroede]

Then yes, that door was made before I worked there, but it was made by Ankmar in Kansas City. They are long out of business, but I still have them on my house as well (though mine are about 10 years newer than yours). They were probably installed by New England Door, or someone that bought from them. Been a while since I have seen one other than my house though.

Support

support.chamberlaingroup.com

The door will run fine with the quick turn top fixtures. The one problem that you may have though is that without the J-arm attached, the top section may not seal up well to the header. Without the trolley opener though you can probably swap them out for standard top fixtures.

John

 

[Junkman]

It was sold by Atlas Door in Windsor CT. They were an old-time family company and when all the owners got too old to do the installation work, they retired one by one, and the last brother sold the company about 8 or 10 years ago. I remember him telling me that the company that made the doors were no longer, and that was when he installed a new door operator on one that had failed. I consider the doors to be of good quality, and well insulated.

Do you think that the 10" radius will be a problem with the 8500W operator? Thanks for your help. Junkman