Garage Door Opener: Repair or Replace?

[SwedeChariot]

I have a 10-year old garage door that gives a long and mighty squeal as it opens (but not when it closes). I had a guy out to service it. He lubricated everything, which barely helped. He figured it's a "bearing" in the opener.

The opener is a Linear LDO50 1/2hp chain drive unit. I've looked at parts diagrams and have no idea what "bearing" he could be talking about. Regardless, is a new set of gears likely to fix this problem or am I better off getting a new opener?

The door seems balanced.

 

[stonesfan68]

At 10-years old I would probably just get a new one.

 

[Midnight_America]

I had the same issue. Lubricating the bearings stopped the squealing for a few days. After a month of lube, repeat, lube, repeat......I just gave in and installed a new opener. My only regret was not installing the new opener after hearing the first squeal. The squealing opener was an 11-year old 1/2HP Craftsman Chain Drive.

 

[gungho_15]

Garage door openers are pretty cheap considering how much they get used! The new openers are super quiet and work great.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I've fixed both of mine a few times...Both are 24 years old.....I think the parts were like $20...

 

[SwedeChariot]

Actually, if I were certain it were the source of the problem, I'd probably just replace the gear set. It's a couple of hundred bucks plus half of day of work (or $400 and change to have it installed), vs $20 tops. And, what, an hour of work?

Maybe I'll take the cover off and see if I can pinpoint the problem.

 

[upndown]

Unplug it first..

If he figured it's a bearing, why didn't he fix it? Also check your door on manual!

 

[pop pop]

If it is like my Chamberlain, it will be the sprocket shaft bushing on the drive. Easy fix and cheap parts.

 

[quietsailor]

I have a 10-year old garage door that gives a long and mighty squeal as it opens (but not when it closes). I had a guy out to service it. He lubricated everything, which barely helped. He figured it's a "bearing" in the opener.

The opener is a Linear LDO50 1/2hp chain drive unit. I've looked at parts diagrams and have no idea what "bearing" he could be talking about. Regardless, is a new set of gears likely to fix this problem or am I better off getting a new opener?

The door seems balanced.

Would you not take it apart and look and see if its easily fixed - if its easy (and cheap) = brilliant you've saved money, if not, well your well along the process of installing a new opener

 

[Ign]

They can be worth fixing provided the circuit boards are ok (which clearly is not your issue). The only real risk you have is putting a little money in it and some time only to have another problem arise in a month; after all it is an aging operator.

After putting WAY too much time into mine and $50 in parts I still had to replace it, so based upon my limited personal experience the lesson I learned was to just replace next time if its over 10 years old. That's just me.

 

[kbs2244]

If it squeals going up but not down I would guess a spring adjustment is due.
I am suprised no one has suggeste greasing the runner.
It is a 7 foot long sliding surface.

 

[Band-aid Kid]

X2
Tighten up the spring and it should roll up easier. Less strain less noise.

 

[SwedeChariot]

Greased the runner. Didn't help.

 

[SwedeChariot]

He sorta forgot to mention, after I sent him a photo of the door and opener, that his shop doesn't service my brand of opener.

 

[SwedeChariot]

Oops. I thought the replies were threaded. Replies above are to kbs2244 and upndown, respectively.

 

[upndown]

He sorta forgot to mention, after I sent him a photo of the door and opener, that his shop doesn't service my brand of opener.

Ha..Now you know who not to call! Have you tried the door manually to make sure it opens and closes properly? This should be the first step whenever you look at a door or opener.

On those particular type openers, whether chain or belt drive, they have a front sprocket, in your case probably Plastic. That has a bushing and sometimes will squeal, squirt that with some lubricant and see if that helps.