Garage Spring Help

[Civeng]

I have 9 ft x 9ft Clopay insulated doors that utilize double springs. One of my springs just broke. Size on the spring is listed as .225 x 2 x 29.

I've used the DDM website but their door height only goes up to 8 ft. When I type my spring size in with that door height, it says they are capable of lifting approx. 200 lbs total. My doors seem much heavier, I'm guessing at least 300lbs. Without any spring tension on them, I can barely lift them a few inches. Additionally I've had the doors apart before and each panel, of which there are five, definitely weighed more than a 45 lb gym plate.

Anyway - I want to order a larger spring from the site to account for the additional weight, but the door height has me stumped. I don't want to get a spring that has undo tension on it because it's not meant for a 9ft tall door. Is my best bet just to call them, or are there other sites to use that have a calculator for taller doors?

 

[drmarkr]

Their website might give you the weight? If you REALLY need to know, you can loosen the other spring (very carefully and with the door supported) and then lower the door onto a set of bath scales to get the door weight.

But way before I did that, I'd be searching and calling...someone can give you the weight of your door since you know the brand and size.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is there a manufacturer sticker on one of the panels ? It should list the door weight.

Take a picture of the sticker, spring (s) and size of door with #of panels and visit your local Clopay dealer. They will be more helpful than the website.

It may also help to know what series the door is.

 

[BillK]

Can you lift the door up far enough to put a bathroom scale under it ? That should give you the weight. I dont know if I would want to change the spring from what came on it originally.

 

[Civeng]

Their website might give you the weight? If you REALLY need to know, you can loosen the other spring (very carefully and with the door supported) and then lower the door onto a set of bath scales to get the door weight.

But way before I did that, I'd be searching and calling...someone can give you the weight of your door since you know the brand and size.

Unfortunately my model is not listed. Going to call them.

 

[Civeng]

Can you lift the door up far enough to put a bathroom scale under it ? That should give you the weight. I dont know if I would want to change the spring from what came on it originally.

No scale. But the guys who installed my garage doors did not represent the best and brightest of the industry. So it would not surprise me if they used undersized springs.

 

[Civeng]

Is there a manufacturer sticker on one of the panels ? It should list the door weight.

Take a picture of the sticker, spring (s) and size of door with #of panels and visit your local Clopay dealer. They will be more helpful than the website.

It may also help to know what series the door is.

Manufacturer sticker but no weight listed. Scoured the internet but couldn't find anything. Panels are GD2SU (Intellicore) models in W4 wind rating.

 

[BillK]

it says they are capable of lifting approx. 200 lbs total. My doors seem much heavier, I'm guessing at least 300lbs. Without any spring tension on them, I can barely lift them a few inches.

If you can lift the door a few inches without the springs I can almost guarantee you they are not even 200 lbs. Very few people can lift 200 lbs at all. Definitely not 300 A 350 Chevy engine block weighs about 160-170 lbs and I cant lift one straight up off the ground and I "think" I am in pretty good shape.

 

[Civeng]

If you can lift the door a few inches without the springs I can almost guarantee you they are not even 200 lbs. Very few people can lift 200 lbs at all. Definitely not 300 A 350 Chevy engine block weighs about 160-170 lbs and I cant lift one straight up off the ground and I "think" I am in pretty good shape.

So contacted the manufacturer - door weight approx 245 lbs. Left spring .2187x2x27, Right spring .225x2x29.

Question I still have is DDM has different model numbers (but same spring dimensions) for different door heights, and their door heights only go up 8 ft (I need 9ft).

I can order duralift springs from home depot. But they only come in matching pairs. Wonder if getting two .225x2x29 would throw the balance off much?

 

[BillK]

So contacted the manufacturer - door weight approx 245 lbs. Left spring .2187x2x27, Right spring .225x2x29.

Question I still have is DDM has different model numbers (but same spring dimensions) for different door heights, and their door heights only go up 8 ft (I need 9ft).

I can order duralift springs from home depot. But they only come in matching pairs. Wonder if getting two .225x2x29 would throw the balance off much?

So can you get the actual Clopay springs ?? That is what I would do.

 

[firebirdparts]

Overthinking it in my opinion. You're making a ton of assumptions about so many different things.

 

[Civeng]

Overthinking it in my opinion. You're making a ton of assumptions about so many different things.

As an engineer - I often have trouble in the overthinking department. Ha. Just going to special order the exact springs from HD and take the guesswork out of it.

 

[Civeng]

So can you get the actual Clopay springs ?? That is what I would do.

Yeah, HD carries my springs but have to go in and special order. Was hoping it would be easier, but oh well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Any of these close to you ?

Where to Buy

Looking for a Clopay garage door you'll adore? Find authorized dealers near you on Clopay's official site. Get the perfect garage door for your home today!

www.clopaydoor.com

I mean the dealers, HD.

 

[jstroede]

For the two springs you have listed, they have a total IPPT of 53.1, 27.5 for the .225 wire and 25.6 for the .218 wire. An equivalent matched pair of springs would be .225-2-30. Using a pair of .225-2-29 springs would probably yield a door that would be about 10 lbs hot. I could make it work with that, I don't know if you can.

Doors use single springs all the time. If they can't figure out how to order one right wound of one size and one left wound of the other size, I don't know what to say. Wait, that wouldn't surprise me at all...