flimsy torsion spring

[lofty_the_albatross]

hey, i ordered some torsion springs for my garage door from homedepot.

one came taught, and one is flimsy. what gives ?

i only ever seen'em taught. i can make a video if you would like to see it better than i can describe it.

 

[txvwnut]

I'm no expert but I believe you have to tension them after they've been installed.

 

[lofty_the_albatross]

thank you for taking the time to help me out.

 

[rlitman]

It's a torsion spring. Why would it be taut? There's certainly no need for that.

 

[dogdog]

Eh! -->>>

 

[nadogail]

If you have never installed a torsion spring for a garage door opener, IMHO, have a Garage Door Service Company do it for you, watch them and take notes; because there is an art to winding up the spring.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

There are different wire sizes in torsion springs. Sometimes you use two different wire sizes to achieve the correct balance to the door weight. That is what you are trying to do. Some doors use only one spring, some doors use more than two. Depends on weight of door and width. Install the springs correctly and do be careful. They can hurt you.

 

[lofty_the_albatross]

I guess I'm alarmed at the difference between two new springs, a matched pair, from Home Depot.

I don't think I articulated what i was trying to say with this post well with words, so here is a picture of both springs.

They are both brand new. One sags greatly, which in my limited experience, I've never seen. The other one acts like every other torsion spring I've come across. I wonder if I should send the extremely saggy one back to Home Depot and get a replacement.

 

[rlitman]

...I don't think I articulated what i was trying to say with this post well with words, so here is a picture of both springs...

I understood you the first time. These are torsion springs. Not extension springs. So how tight they happen to be in extension doesn't really mean anything.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

That seems strange to me IF they are indeed a matched set (same wire diameter, same inside coil diameter and same length) I see no reason why a right hand vs. left hand wind would make a difference. The only thing I can think of would be tempering of the steel, which should be the same for both.
Personally, I'd be reluctant to use those until verification.

 

[lofty_the_albatross]

Mr. Tyrant, Hey, thanks you for letting me know your thoughts and what you would do.

Now I feel kind of crappy because I chose to purchase from Home Depot and not that online place that only deals with this thing, like Garage Door Nation, etc.

 

[spudley]

Now I feel kind of crappy because I chose to purchase from Home Depot and not that online place that only deals with this thing, like Garage Door Nation, etc.

I think I'd be tempted to return them. I've used ez torsion springs and bar wind ups but I've not come across a set like that.

 

[Glemon]

This is kind of a long shot, but could their be paint or a coating on the stuff spring that is holding the coils together? If so should be able to break the "seal" with minimal force.

Are there instructions for setting the tension? If they are different for each spring might make sense, if the same would think springs should be the same.

 

[c39er]

Could be a cheap poor quality chinese spring/springs.

 

[egdede]

This is kind of a long shot, but could their be paint or a coating on the stuff spring that is holding the coils together? If so should be able to break the "seal" with minimal force.

Are there instructions for setting the tension? If they are different for each spring might make sense, if the same would think springs should be the same.

Seems possible

 

[CraigStu]

I'd take them back.

 

[gungatim]

this should answer your question on why they are not necessarily matched.

https://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/using-torsion-springs-with-different-lifts.php

 

[egdede]

^^^ The OP seems to describe springs of the same size. The 'mismatched' springs in the link are referred to as being of 'different diameters'. I don't think this is a case of mismatched springs.

 

[pvfjr]

Ever rewound your slinky the wrong way?

I wouldn't be surprised if these springs are wound on the same machine, and then one of them is "reversed". Why have twice the tooling? Manufacturers have all kinds of tricks to save a buck. As mentioned before, the axial tension on a torsion spring is of little consequence. I think you're overthinking it.

 

[firebirdparts]

I know you all don't want to hear this, but personally I avoid, always, making up imaginary specifications for things. The behavior of the spring on a plant hanger is just not part of what it needs to do.

I could point to 1000 other examples of this kind of mentality, but if you answer technical questions you eventually filter out of lot of imaginary stuff. I've been doing it a long time. FWIW.

 

[lofty_the_albatross]

Thanks everyone for the responses and help. I'm totally ignorant about all this. That is the fourth spring I've ever seen, and the other three didn't act like that. My buddy down the road didn't know what to think. I didnt want to mess up because of all the near death type warnings I've seen. I did look at and understand the sizing and installation tutorials. All my life ive had a strong Dunning-Kruger effect and I'm sure installing these springs will show the same outcome.

 

[BD1]

I agree on returning them. It cost me $100.00 to have a overhead door guy come out plus spring cost. Was easily worth that for piece of mind

 

[PoorUB]

Also, if both springs are for he the same door most likely you will need a right and a left. Both springs in the pictures have the same color paint on them, so I assume they are either both lefts or rights.