Garage Door Torsion Spring Replacement Question

[wornoutoldman]

Greetings garage door gurus, Came home to a broken torsion spring on my garage door last night. There are two springs and the right side (left-hand wind) has broken. This spring measures at .25 X 33". The left side spring (right-hand wind) is .25 X 30".

The original installer (1982) had offset the auto opener track J bracket to the left of center by nine inches so I'm assuming this is why there are two different length springs. I can purchase exact size replacement springs individually in 30" and 33" (63" total) lengths but if I buy a pair of 32" (64" total) it will save me close to fifty bucks.

This is an old school heavy solid wood 7X16 door (Heavy).

Can I safely replace them with the same length pair?

As always thanks for your input.

 

[curiousB]

This is a good site for info and parts

https://diygaragedoor.com/springs/standard-torsion-springs.php

 

[BD1]

I'd get a price to have it done especially IF you haven't done it. Money well spent and you should get a guarantee.



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[jstroede]

By my calculation, your door weighs in about 295 lbs, assuming we are talking about 2" ID springs. The 32" long springs would be for a 290 lb door, so with an 1/8 turn or so, it should be about right. You could also use a pair of 243-2-28 springs if that was a stock spring for them.

Some manufacturers and installers will use unmatched pairs of springs to save on spring inventory. I never prefer to do it that way, but there is nothing wrong with it functionally.

John

 

[^&right]

Years ago when I worked at HD there was a customer I helped missing two middle fingers and had a scar down the middle of his hand to his wrist where those fingers USED to be. He worked for a garage door guy and he lost grip in a wound spring.

That convinced me if an educated pro can loose it, I'll happily pay for someone else to take the risk.

 

[matt_i]

I'd say if you put in 2 new springs you'll be good for several more years.

I had one broken and one of unknown age, probably ~20 years old from the original build. I put in 2 new ones.

 

[fluid power]

There are few things it is worth paying someone to do. This is one of them.

 

[fitter30]

Post #5 +1 changed door springs 20 years ago and think that this wasn't a good idea. Call around get a price.

 

[BPJOOP93]

If you don’t know how to do it. Pay someone. Those springs are NO joke.

 

[camarosrus69]

I paid about 250 to have a guy come out and weigh the door, and get exactly the right springs, install them and service the door. And he tuned up my other door while he was there. In my mind that was money well spent. I live in the midwest.YMMV.

 

[ard]

Every time there is a "garage spring question" the thread gets filled with "get a pro" comments.

I just dont understand this fear about torsion springs. There are a TON of ways to get hurt if you are stupid. Period. There is no way I am paying a 'professional' hundreds of dollars to pop on a spring that takes me 15 minutes.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Every time there is a "garage spring question" the thread gets filled with "get a pro" comments.

I just dont understand this fear about torsion springs. There are a TON of ways to get hurt if you are stupid. Period. There is no way I am paying a 'professional' hundreds of dollars to pop on a spring that takes me 15 minutes.

I'm with ya ard. Did my first door with my dad, we were both first timers. Did my second one by myself with a friend. I was 19 y/o. Never felt in danger. I never let go of the winding rods or got my hand in the way of an untightened spring. For a forum of guys ok with doing tons of car mods and similar, we sure are afraid of little springs. Jeeze using a spring compressor on a coil spring is 10x iffier than a garage door spring.

 

[mike93lx]

Every time there is a "garage spring question" the thread gets filled with "get a pro" comments.

I just dont understand this fear about torsion springs. There are a TON of ways to get hurt if you are stupid. Period. There is no way I am paying a 'professional' hundreds of dollars to pop on a spring that takes me 15 minutes.

How can you not understand the fear? The springs have a massive amount of tension in them and can easily seriously injure someone that doesn't have experience. It isn't about being stupid. Mistakes happen

I am 100% in the hire a pro camp. But we all have our risk tolerances.

 

[kasander]

How can you not understand the fear? The springs have a massive amount of tension in them and can easily seriously injure someone that doesn't have experience. It isn't about being stupid. Mistakes happen

I am 100% in the hire a pro camp. But we all have our risk tolerances.

The springs have very little tension when the door is up. I don't get all the fears either. Just don't work on them when the door is down...

 

[Falcon67]

I installed the door in the shop, not the one in the house. Not my first install either - no issues getting it right. Still - when the house door broke a spring I called a service company to come out. Was like $100 part and labor and I didn't have to do anything. Not a fear thing - why mess with it for that price. My time is also worth something and I chose not to spend it on that particular item.

I'd also like to see how you'd work on a spring with the door up. Most installs require the door be secured down, spring wound a specific number of turns, then the door released and tested for operation.

>pop on a spring that takes me 15 minutes.
So you have spare spring ready to go, you don't have to hunt down a spring for an unknown door type and you can release the other spring on a double, remove the cables and pulleys, move the shaft enough to R&R the old/new springs, replace all the hardware, tension the springs and secure then test the door for operation in 15 minutes. The door company spent like 2 hours on the door, you way faster.

 

[wornoutoldman]

This is a good site for info and parts

https://diygaragedoor.com/springs/standard-torsion-springs.php

Sure is!

By my calculation, your door weighs in about 295 lbs, assuming we are talking about 2" ID springs. The 32" long springs would be for a 290 lb door, so with an 1/8 turn or so, it should be about right. You could also use a pair of 243-2-28 springs if that was a stock spring for them.

Some manufacturers and installers will use unmatched pairs of springs to save on spring inventory. I never prefer to do it that way, but there is nothing wrong with it functionally.

John

Many thanks John! I grabbed the 243-2-28 as they were compatible and the most frugal option.

I certainly appreciate everyone who voiced concern for my safety. I assure you I will be using best practices.

Garage Journal Rules!

 

[rlitman]

...The original installer (1982) had offset the auto opener track J bracket to the left of center by nine inches so I'm assuming this is why there are two different length springs...

This makes no sense to me. There is ONE rod that both springs wind around, and unless the rod is twisting, both ends of it turn together, so both springs see the same amount of rotation.

 

[wornoutoldman]

This makes no sense to me. There is ONE rod that both springs wind around, and unless the rod is twisting, both ends of it turn together, so both springs see the same amount of rotation.

The center bearing carrier(s) are two for some reason with about four inches separating them is offset from the center of the door. This is why I assumed they used two different length springs. Apparently this does not matter.

 

[rlitman]

Yeah, I get that the door is being lifted a little off-center, and that your setup isn't completely symmetric. But think of it this way. A Liftmaster jack-shaft opener is entirely on one side, and it still works just fine.

On my extension spring setup, unmatched springs will lift the door skewed causing all sorts of problems. Your torsion spring setup is able to get around that problem, but that doesn't mean there is an advantage to different springs. It's just an easy way out of stocking the exact correct spring on the installer's truck.

 

[Fasthotrod]

I'm in the DIY column... and of the opinion that if you read, educate yourself, and take your time doing the job, you'll come out alright.

I had a spring break a while back... sounded like a shotgun going off. I looked on line, found the correct springs (replaced them both) and watched a few videos about how to do it correctly. I read the instructions, installed the new springs, and took my time to carefully wind them up with the winding rods. No problems at all.

Recently my wife parked her XT5 right on the edge of the garage entry... and when the door came down it hit the back of the vehicle and bent the upper panel. So I ran down to the local Overhead Door company and bought a new insulated door. Never installed one before, but again I read the instructions and watched a video and figured it out. It's the smoothest, best operating door I have on my property... and the other two were installed by the 'professionals.'

So yes, while it's potentially dangerous to do it yourself, I think that some of you are selling yourselves short. If you just don't want to mess with it and have the extra cash to spend to have someone else do it, all the power to ya. But if you like wrenching on things, fixing things, and saving a few bucks... it's not really all that difficult.

Mark

 

[Showkey]

Every time there is a "garage spring question" the thread gets filled with "get a pro" comments.

I just dont understand this fear about torsion springs. There are a TON of ways to get hurt if you are stupid. Period. There is no way I am paying a 'professional' hundreds of dollars to pop on a spring that takes me 15 minutes.

agree

Even more so on the $4 cable replacement for $200 service call.

How can you not understand the fear? The springs have a massive amount of tension in them and can easily seriously injure someone that doesn't have experience. It isn't about being stupid. Mistakes happen

I am 100% in the hire a pro camp. But we all have our risk tolerances.

Risk is four letter word.......Do you weld, clean your gutters, use a table saw, install a water heater, operate a 20 ton press, cut large tree down witha chain saw, use floor jack, repair your furnace or AC unit, use mill or lathe, wire a 240 outlet, install NAT gas line, use a chop saw, shoot a gun, forge a knife blade, do your own brake job, do you wear a helmet when taking a shower ????????.........the list is endless

The shower comes up because it the most dangerous place in the home !!!!!

 

[alexb2000]

I'm in the DIY camp because I can't wait a day or more and I don't trust them. Last time this happened my wife's car was trapped in the garage (luckily) on a weekday morning. I went to HD bought a length of 3/8 rod, made two spring winding tools in about 5 min. Took off the springs went to a garage door supplier and got two new ones, door was open in 1.5 hours. No biggie. BTW- My commercial doors are MUCH harder to wind with much more tension, the residential ones are easy in comparison, I would think any mechanical person can do a residential door.

One thing to be careful of, MANY garage door guys save the unbroken spring when they do a replacement set, then install that one some unsuspecting persons door that isn't paying careful attention. There is a reason they are carrying around all those used springs in the back of the truck.

The main install point I would give is to make sure the door is in neutral balance when you are done winding the springs. In other words with the opener disconnected it should stay half way up by itself and be pretty easy to lift by hand. Many people believe the door is being lifted by the opener and so they don't wind them tight enough and the opener fails.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

So now every door guy is ripping people off just like a mechanic at a dealer. It would be nice to have your occupation, so we can accuse you of unethical business practices. Or maybe you are a government employee who feels good about working a whole hour while getting paid for eight or...the list can go on for days. You, sir, are a fool for allowing your hate to cloud your reality. You need help.

 

[BPJOOP93]

For the record I used to be a garage door installer. I still do not recommend a novice to do the job. It is dangerous and can cause bodily harm.

 

[BD1]

" QUOTE=alexb2000;8138302]I'm in the DIY camp because I can't wait a day or more and I don't trust them. Last time this happened my wife's car was trapped in the garage (luckily) on a weekday morning. I went to HD bought a length of 3/8 rod, made two spring winding tools in about 5 min. Took off the springs went to a garage door supplier and got two new ones, door was open in 1.5 hours. No biggie. BTW- My commercial doors are MUCH harder to wind with much more tension, the residential ones are easy in comparison, I would think any mechanical person can do a residential door. "

"One thing to be careful of, MANY garage door guys save the unbroken spring when they do a replacement set, then install that one some unsuspecting persons door that isn't paying careful attention. There is a reason they are carrying around all those used springs in the back of the truck."

Say what ?? You don't trust them ? Substitute old springs for new ?
I don't know where you live but I never heard of any reputable contractor ever substituting old parts and say they are new.
Real contractors provide a warranty or guarantee and use NEW parts.
Why would a installer use old springs that could fail the next day. I guess they were the cheapest and no warranty.



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[alexb2000]

So now every door guy is ripping people off just like a mechanic at a dealer. It would be nice to have your occupation, so we can accuse you of unethical business practices. Or maybe you are a government employee who feels good about working a whole hour while getting paid for eight or...the list can go on for days. You, sir, are a fool for allowing your hate to cloud your reality. You need help.

Do you feel better now? BTW no one accused YOU of anything, you took personal offense to a generalization and lashed out on all kinds of people from dealership mechanics to government workers along with some personal name calling thrown in. What does your post say about you and your high ethics?

I will be the first to say there is NO field without some level of unethical behavior, none. In some cases it is impossible to make a living while doing it right. I know, I owned a trucking company (dump trucks and excavation) for awhile and found out the hard way that the market had adjusted prices with the expectation/requirement of illegal operators and their lower cost basis. Did that reflect on me personally? Of course not and I sure wouldn't get defensive if someone pointed out all the places where trucking operators were commonly cutting corners and straight up breaking the law.

BTW- The last door spring I had replaced at my farm in NM the guy even admitted the spring was used when I asked him and he still charged me $200 for labor and $50 for the spring. The alternative was to wait a week for a new set to be shipped in and then pay for another $200 service call plus the price of the new springs and shipping, so I was between a rock and a hard place mostly because I was rural and without alternatives. So was that person taking unfair advantage of the situation or just being a good businessman by admitting the spring was used and charging me what the market would bear? I took it as the later, but made sure I was never put in that situation again and that's what I am warning people about here.

 

[BD1]

Waiting a week for springs or any part is unacceptable. I would have called someone else . AND he just so happens to have the spring in his truck . I would have told him to leave . You must have some real winners by you.


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[rburke65]

My buddy worked for a garage door company...he oils never allow me to replace a spring on my door. I do...did....he electrical work and he did my garage door work.

 

[jstroede]

The springs have very little tension when the door is up. I don't get all the fears either. Just don't work on them when the door is down...

The only way to do it right is when the door is down. It's not hard and really any more unsafe than many of the things we do if you have the correct tools.

John

 

[alexb2000]

Waiting a week for springs or any part is unacceptable. I would have called someone else . AND he just so happens to have the spring in his truck . I would have told him to leave . You must have some real winners by you.


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The door was out on my farm in NM. Even Amazon prime is a three day delivery out there. There wasn't anyone else to call unless I wanted to pay them to drive a couple of hours each way. I don't think any of this is that unique when you are way out in the country. It's a "make do" kind of place.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

To the OP. As a door professional, I and none of the other dealers I knew would ever put a used spring on. There are too many options, including torsion spring band aids. Measure the spring, install the band aids and the customer is good for a week or two. I made residential springs to order. Bought bulk windings in 10' lengths. Made to order while you wait. I have no problem with a homeowner doing their own work, whatever it may be. But reading some of the posts about door repairs proves not everyone is qualified to do this particular job. If it goes well, you saved money. If it goes bad, hope you don't get hurt.

 

[sreeb]

I have done 3 door installs including torsion springs. It isn't complicated if you pay attention.

Be sure you have the right tools for any job.

For this you need steel winding bars that are a good fit and won't bend, break, or slip. Don't just grab some rebar and hope. You can probably buy them where you get your springs. Or $15 from amazon.

Also use a solid ladder.

We all use safety glasses, right.

You could get hurt if things go wrong. To me, it doesn't feel more dangerous than using a chain saw, table saw, car jack, or axe. Or doing suspension work on a car. Or roofing. Or some other thing I will do this weekend.

 

[wornoutoldman]

You could get hurt if things go wrong. To me, it doesn't feel more dangerous than using a chain saw, table saw, car jack, or axe. Or doing suspension work on a car. Or roofing. Or some other thing I will do this weekend.

I just finished the install. The door works great. I'm only 75 bucks out of pocket, learned something new and nobody was injured.

sreeb hit the nail on the head!