Garage door splitting at the top

[SLAYER6669]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had any idea's on if/how I might be able to fix this Garage door without replacing? The top is splitting apart as you can see in the picture. The door won't open with the door opener without manual intervention which is a real pain. It just gets stuck "under" the wood mounted above the door. Thanks.

 

[SmokeyTheBandit]

You can try running some 1/4" carriage bolts along the top of the section, but that's more of a bandaid than a permanent fix. Once they start delaminating like then they just keep getting worse.

 

[upndown]

First off a piece of pre-punched angle is not an appropriate strut for a top section wih an opener.

Judging by the looks of that arm, your operator is mounted way too high, probably the cause of your problem.

Bandit is right, try thru bolting the very top as a temp. Fix. With a little luck the top stop will cover the bolt heads. Good Luck.

 

[SmokeyTheBandit]

First off a piece of pre-punched angle is not an appropriate strut for a top section wih an opener.

Judging by the looks of that arm, your operator is mounted way too high, probably the cause of your problem.

+1 I didn't even notice the j-arm at first but yeah that may be the root of your problems.

 

[59chief]

Assuming that the other two doors in the pic are set up the same with the same j-arm etc., I think I would try the carriage bolt idea, if the bolt heads will show, paint them white. If you can drill for them through the angle holes that should give it enough backing to hold the outer skin flat, then seal the top with caulking to keep water from infiltrating into the insulation inside the door. Just my .02$

 

[usmc_noma]

I'd have to agree with others on the j-arm. Maybe you could adjust that and attempt to use the door manually before hooking the opener back up. As far as the splitting, maybe get a piece of metal probably 1.25" or more in width to span across the splitting area and through bolt it. As noted, paint it to match if it isn't covered on the exterior.

I'm not sure what else you could use for the strut at the top, but I think in most cases angle iron is used at the top to stiffen it when using an opener. Luckily for you the installer put one in. In my case they didn't and my door is split in the middle at the top of the highest panel.

 

[angrystroker]

First off a piece of pre-punched angle is not an appropriate strut for a top section wih an opener.

Judging by the looks of that arm, your operator is mounted way too high, probably the cause of your problem.

Bandit is right, try thru bolting the very top as a temp. Fix. With a little luck the top stop will cover the bolt heads. Good Luck.

He has it, to much pulling in that area. That really needs to be addressed first, or you are wasting your time and for sure $$$.

 

[SLAYER6669]

Thanks for the info guys. I will have to see what I can do.

 

[iowajosh]

I fix things like this all the time. What those guys say is true, you don't have a real strut and the opener looks like it is mounted high. But, if the door closes and the opener pushes the door underneath anything, it *****. Adjust the top of the door in and put new trim around the outside so the door can't go under anything. Or fix the jamb so it is flush, whatever is easier.