Garage Cable off Track/Spool/whatever...

[xJoey Dubsx]

So at the house I am purchasing, we could not test the garage door or opener during the inspection because the cable is off the pulley/track/spool thing it goes on.

Is that a quick fix where I could slide it over with a screwdriver, or is there a lot of tension on that cable? The other side is the same length, considering it is over the pulley. It's just a standard 2 car garage..

 

[CNGsaves]

Just write into Sales Contract that vendor of Buyer's choosing (ie you) will replace spring and cable, INSTEAD with torsion spring, at the Seller's expense. Thus, you can make sure it's done properly, and you get a safe and functioning garage door.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

I would try using a bar on the spring to un-tension the cables while someone else gets them back on track. Be VERY CAREFUL that someone's fingers do not get caught under the cable.

The end of the spring should look like this. Note the holes used to insert a bar or pipe to turn the spring.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

It's a foreclosure, and no room for them to do that.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

Looks like this pic I stole off google...

 

[jstroede]

To fix this, remove tension from the torsion spring or springs, reset cables and drums, reapply tension. If there is any wear to the cables whatsoever, replace them. Cables are cheap and you will already have the tension off.

John

 

[Charles (in GA)]

have a garage door company do this. Way too much chance of getting hurt. Even with the door all the way up, there is some tension on the shaft.

Charles

 

[upndown]

To fix this, remove tension from the torsion spring or springs, reset cables and drums, reapply tension. If there is any wear to the cables whatsoever, replace them. Cables are cheap and you will already have the tension off.

John

If you go this route, while you have the tension off, move your torsion shaft to the left or right so you have a fresh bite with the set screws.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

If you don't know precisely what you're doing and have previous experience, DO NOT try this yourself. Hire a garage door company. Depending on where everything is ... there could be an enormous amount of energy stored in the springs just waiting to hurt you and anyone close by.

 

[fury9]

Roll up the garage door enough so you can start to thread the wire back onto the spool, try to not make a birds nest out of the wire. Have somebody slowly close the door while you put the wire back on track. The drum is designed for the wire to go on in a certain manner. Look at the other side for reference. The last little bit may be kinda tough to get onto the drum, might need a screwdriver to pop it back on the last little bit.

If you do attempt to reposition the pulley MAKE SURE THE DOOR IS ALL THE WAY UP! If it's down there will be a lot of tension on that drum. !# I am not a garage door technician#!

 

[upndown]

Roll up the garage door enough so you can start to thread the wire back onto the spool, try to not make a birds nest out of the wire. Have somebody slowly close the door while you put the wire back on track. The drum is designed for the wire to go on in a certain manner. Look at the other side for reference. The last little bit may be kinda tough to get onto the drum, might need a screwdriver to pop it back on the last little bit.

If you do attempt to reposition the pulley MAKE SURE THE DOOR IS ALL THE WAY UP! If it's down there will be a lot of tension on that drum. !# I am not a garage door technician#!

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS!! Nothing good will come of this. Do as said above with tension removed or call a door co.. Trust Me!

 

[fury9]

That's how I fixed mine. To the OP this most likely happened when somebody else was looking at the house and manually raised the door by pulling the cord with the red handle and then (accidentally?) slamming the door back down causing the cable to "jump" off the spool. If you do attempt this wear safety glasses.

 

[zkling]

For the safety comments. It is actually pretty easy to get the wire back on the spool. As long as everything is in good condition you shouldn't have to adjust the torsion setting. All you need is a good size piece of solid bar to fit in the winding bracket to temporarly take the tension off the cables. And at the same time someone you trust, or more importantly some that trusts you to put the cable back on the drum. When you torque the main bar it will put slack in the cable and you will be able to put it back on the drum.

Andrew is spot on above. All the "with the door open" comments. most of the time you can't access the spring with the door in the up position as it track is below it.

 

[fury9]

For the safety comments. It is actually pretty easy to get the wire back on the spool. As long as everything is in good condition you shouldn't have to adjust the torsion setting. All you need is a good size piece of solid bar to fit in the winding bracket to temporarly take the tension off the cables. And at the same time someone you trust, or more importantly some that trusts you to put the cable back on the drum. When you torque the main bar it will put slack in the cable and you will be able to put it back on the drum.

Andrew is spot on above. All the "with the door open" comments. most of the time you can't access the spring with the door in the up position as it track is below it.

Never thought of that! That's way easier than my way