Garage door operator bracket fix?

[RinOak]

Hi...I recently noticed the bend/angle in the J arm, and have since learned this isn’t typically attached to a punched angle strip like this...rather a proper operator bracket. Anyhow, the punched angle only offers an attachment point on one side…hence the arm angle.

While it’s probably worked fine for 20 years, I’d prefer to fix things properly to eliminate the bend. Two choices:

1. Buy the correct operator bracket. My fear though is…this will require drilling new holes in the exact same area, and could potentially weaken the connection area on the door.

2. Or…double down on the hack job: Remove the bolts from the angle punch, place a second strip of angle punch on top of this one — but with the angle protruding on the left — so that the J arm now has two attachment points on the right/left. This would eliminate the bend and could be done using the existing bolts/holes, thus not drilling new and weakening.

Thoughts? Or just leave as-is and it'll probably outlive me?

 

[Stuart in MN]

If you flipped that angle iron bolted to the door 180 degrees, it would bring the J arm closer to being in line with the opener.

 

[RinOak]

Thanks. Yeah...I'd thought of that at first (to me, it looks like they may have originally meant to do it that way seeing how it's lined up, and accidentally put it on in reverse) and I could certainly still go this route. That would solve some of the angle issue, but I couldn't help wonder if it will still be preferable to have a second connection point. May be fine with one.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

It would be better if it was all aligned but I'm not sure you would notice the difference. Looks like the opener isn't centered on the door.
When my door bracket split I made the replacement from unistrut. Which is U shaped so the pin (bolt in mine) is supported on both ends.

 

[pattenp]

I agree it looks like the opener trolley track is not centered on the door. Mabe the picture gives that illusion.

 

[AndyL]

Clopay 21 in. Opener Reinforcement Bracket Kit 4125479

The Clopay Opener Reinforcement Bracket Kit helps reinforce your garage door when attaching a garage door opener. Proper top section reinforcement is required when attaching a garage door opener to your

www.homedepot.com

No harm in throwing one of these on. Double check where center of the tracks lies - operator bracket is probably into stud/backing - which might not be on center - might be nothing dead centerline which is how we got here. Nice part about these is you can slightly offset the J arm to better align with the offset of the operator.

However doors run like this for decades (as you indicated yours has) - there's a fair bit of play in both ends of the operator mount to allow for some motion side/side.

 

[kbs2244]

20 years of good service and you want to "fix" it ?

 

[The Cobbler]

sure looks like the opener is offset from the c/l of the attachment to the door

 

[RinOak]

Thanks for everyone's help. And yes...I'd say the track is a smidge off center in relation to the door. Honestly, the opener is an old Genie unit from the 1980s with a Gumby-like mascot on it...looks like Heathkit stuff

And @kbs2244, yeah...I know...I'm a bit OCD. I'm not always in the wrong though. I mean...this is the same house where someone ran Romex through my heater duct instead of locating an outlet 6" away

Well...let me stare at things. In the end, I may just flip the angle punch 180 degrees since that could be done using the existing holes. As mentioned, a proper new operator bracket would be best, but the holes will likely be super close/on top of the current holes...so it may weaken the whole connection point area (not something I want to do on a garage door).

Thank you again, super appreciated

 

[walta]

Before you fix the arm disconnect the arm and operate the door by hand my guess is the springs are out of adjustment and the operator was pulling to hard to lift the door.

Walta

 

[The Cobbler]

^^^ X2

 

[nadogail]

You might attach a double thick plate to beef up the door.