Garage door cable comes off sometimes

[Makoto]

This is the second time it's happened leaving the door **** eye about two feet off the ground on one end. The hardware is all pretty old, should I be thinking about replacing parts?

Nothing is broken. Gonna rewind the thing tonight and see how she chooches.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Check the cables, pulleys, wheels, bearings closely for damage.
When the door is open is there still some tension or are the cables slack? It everthing straight and in line?
Does the door operate smoothly? (If it has an opener disconnect it and open/close the door by hand to check).

 

[small&rusty]

Is it the same side both times?

When the door is all the way open is there slack in the cable? Back when I installed doors we would open the door all the way and if there was slack in the cable we would just loosen the drum and turn it until the slack was gone then tighten the drum back up.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I had something similar happen recently and it ended up being the bearing plates. Bearings were, done and causing the main shaft to bind. In the end I paid for new bearing plates and new springs, since they were all about 15 to 20 years old.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Assuming you have torsion springs. If your cables are tight when door is closed, but slack when open first check your door for level when closed. If it is level do not adjust drums to make up the slack. Visually inspect the cable for any knots or evidence of separation. Check both sides and take your time. Sometimes the cable looks like it has an external winding on it or a fray of strands hanging out. If they are both good, Measure your track for square against the header. The track may be parallel but if they are not square to the header the door will be pushed to one side causing the slack. A square plus b square equals c square. On new construction installs that is how we get the rear backhang into the proper spot without issues. Yes buildings have been built that aren't perfectly square so measuring off the sidewall may indicate paralell but not square. Good luck.

 

[Makoto]

tightening the springs one of them broke. figured it was time to replace them so I hired it done. she's working great now.