Garage Door Springs

[ddawg16]

I have a roll up garage door. It was installed 20 years ago. When rebuilt my garage....I removed it and re-installed it in the new garage.

It would appear I installed the springs backwards.....left on the right, right on the left. It appears, it depends on the direction wrap of the spring to keep it tight.

Well, one of them let loose.

My question, if I turn them around, can I still use them? Or should I just replace?

Side note.....They say you learn by your mistakes....

Won't make this mistake again

Another note.....I installed Chamberland ver of the Liftmaster.....love the thing. Freed up space above the door. So much more quiet.

 

[Copymutt]

CAUTION! Some mistakes only other people learn from as you're no longer around. Tons of kinetic energy wound up there.
I wouldn't reuse after being torqued the wrong way. Just not something to chance.
Often thought I could sure launch my 55 harder if one of those was wrapped around the driveshaft on a slip clutch.

 

[FMB4]

Those springs are shot. As Copymutt wisely cautions; removing, installing, and/or adjusting GD springs can be extremely dangerous. There are a lot of online videos on how to do the above as safely as possible. Always wear safety glasses, a face shield, and heavy clothing and gloves. Never place yourself and anything you care about inline with the bar tool used to unwind and wind the springs (position yourself, etc, well to the left or right of the bar tool). Clear the garage of other people, pets, and (whenever possible) of vehicles etc, before starting.

 

[Innovate1]

What do you mean by "one of them let loose"? Did it break or slip on the cone? If it slipped on the cone and screwed itself on farther, how much farther? Did this happen when you were tensioning the springs? Unless they broke I would turn them around and try them. With appropriate safety precautions as should be done any time messing with these springs. Unless there is more issue than shown in the pictures I think they will be fine.

 

[bbxlr8]

I have changed several over my lifetime and am with those far above. No way in h@!! would I reuse. Not worth it - Start fresh, do it safely, and be DONE

 

[nadogail]

No Way would I recommend you DIY garage door torsion springs.

 

[Innovate1]

I wouldn't be too worried about reusing them but given their age they are probably near failure anyway if you use the door regularly. I missed the age of them before. Might as well replace them and then you are good for another 20 years.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Trying to be thrifty on garage door springs is a bad idea. Get new ones.

 

[kelpaso1]

When I had my GD spring replaced it cost me $120 labor. Not worth my time. I have done them before, but I can make the same amount fixing a lawn mower in the time it takes them to replace the spring.

 

[Walkers]

Replace both springs and be done with it.

 

[ddawg16]

I wouldn't be too worried about reusing them but given their age they are probably near failure anyway if you use the door regularly. I missed the age of them before. Might as well replace them and then you are good for another 20 years.

They have about 6000 cycles on them. In the winter, they rarely go up

 

[ddawg16]

Update

I pulled the springs off this morning with the intent to swap them around.
I didn't like what I saw. Considering I'm in CA....weather is nice.....I can leave the door open for a few weeks while I wait on springs.

So....here I am enjoying an adult beverage (rum and diet Pepsi) while I search for springs. To my surprise, all of a sudden Amazon has a set of the right size I can get my next Wednesday.....instead of the 4-6 weeks I was seeing.

Springs are on order.....next project until they get here.

thanks for all the input guys