do horizontal garage door tracks need to be level

[rlefig]

Hi all, I have a question for my i car detached garage and its door.

I am trying to build a golf sim in the garage and I am mostly completed, but have an issue with the rails.

I have hit the garage door side rail on my follow through of my back swing. This garage door just uses the coil springs and there is no opener mechanism beside my arm. Both horizontal rails are level, maybe the only level item in the 1930's garage.

Can I raise the back height of the rails by 3-5 inches without any issue?

Thanks

 

[Sumboodie]

Yes, but you'll need to adjust the springs as it will affect how the door will raise and lower. I've seen some setups that the rails go downhill even to help the springs.

 

[kbs2244]

so the rails are no longer level but slanted to the back?
most likely the answer is yes if you have no plans for a rail style opener
it may take spring adjustment to keep the door from creeping back down

 

[rlefig]

thanks and yes I would like to try and slope my rails so the descend as the go to the garage door opening. I can see how the springs might need to be adjusted so door does not creep down the slope to the closed position

 

[isb cornbinder]

Level? No. Parallel? YES.

 

[flippin]

As mentioned only the springs will need to be adjusted for the increased weight of the garage door going "uphill". I have scissor trusses in my garage and the rails follow the roofline at a significant angle (approx 25 degrees). If you haven't done this before spend a few dollars and have a garage door expert make the spring adjustment. Your teeth will say thank you for doing so.

 

[Sumboodie]

As mentioned only the springs will need to be adjusted for the increased weight of the garage door going "uphill". I have scissor trusses in my garage and the rails follow the roofline at a significant angle (approx 25 degrees). If you haven't done this before spend a few dollars and have a garage door expert make the spring adjustment. Your teeth will say thank you for doing so.

With the coil springs, to adjust there are usually different holes, a cable lengthen/shorten or sometimes a bolt on one end of the spring. Probably other ways as well, just the ones I can think of.

 

[Bucko]

Do a Google search for garage door high lift kit. Several videos about the process.

 

[The Cobbler]

Level? No. Parallel? YES.

square to opening? yes

 

[CraigStu]

Yes 3-5 inches no problem. Once you adjust the spring to hold it you may end up needing to push down a little when closing it so the lock rods will line up but that won't be any big deal. W/o adjusting the springs push it til it gets to where you want it to rest. Drill a 5/16-3/8 hole in the track right below the bottom roller. Drop a 3 inch 5/16 bolt through the hole and let the roller come down against it. Drill another hole in the inside trim to stick the bolt in when you remove it so the bolt will always be there when you want it.

 

[AndyL]

Y'all assuming it's a standard modern door in a 1930's garage are cute I'd put a dollar on it'll be a knee knocker.

Aka - post a picture.