Garage door Spring replacement and alive

[Fanatic1]

Old genie screw drive opener, both springs broken.

I was quoted $300 plus parts, around $500. and decided to diy.
I was scared for all bad stories about loosing limbs or whatever.

Both cables came out

Busted drum

Pulled out torsion springs and drums

I went to a shop, and i spent $160 both springs, new drum, 10 rollers grease and tension rods, this is really important!.

wiring fixed.

I put everything back, and then the most hard part, 30 turns on each spring, i was scared in a really bad way, when i was at 15 turns, torsion spring started to feeling really tight, then on 25 i was just waiting for something to explode, and at the end i just gave 29 turns on each one.

Finally i made it!, door is ok closed, is ok in the middle, but it wont stay open, do you think i need to tight one turn more to torsion springs? now 30?
i connected opener and is sliding once the door reaches 1/4 ,start sliding, i was thinking that it was the main screw but it seems that is something normal to have a gap like this,

What do you think?

http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v654/Fanaticibanez/IMG_0972.mp4

Thanks for your help.

 

[MikeF2316]

I can't help you with the screw drive, but the door should stay where it's left, whether up, down or in the middle. And I'm sure you mean 30 ¼ turns when you're tensioning. So if the door wants to creep down in all positions, you need more tension on the springs. If the door wants to go up when it's near the top and down when it's near the bottom, then the springs are too weak. If the door wants go down when near the top, and up when near the bottom, then the springs are too strong.

 

[Fanatic1]

Thanks MikeF2316,
The guy at the shop gave me a torsion springs a little bit bigger than my size, and he told me 30 1/4 turns, I gave 29, I think I should try 31 and see what happen.

 

[tab2]

We have Genie screw drives on my dad's (2) 10' x10' doors and those gaps are what we have. Check the first connection from the motor to the screw section.

Good luck with the torsion springs, I'll stick with mine that are on the side!

 

[MikeF]

Another reason the door may not balance is cable length. To short a cable can make the door light off the floor and heavy at the header. Not your issue though, I'd add half a turn (2-1/4s) to one spring and test it. Then the other if needed. One having alittle more tension than the other won't effect anything. Good job with the vice grips, it's hard getting people to grasp that idea haha.

 

[Fanatic1]

Screw drive is good, it was the carriage assembly, i found it on amazon for $15 and in a near local shop for $28 so i bought it for $28

I replaced rollers and now garage door is working smooth and at least 70% less noise.


I still need to adjust 1/4 turn on each spring to get springs balanced.

Thanks for your help.