garage spring question

[joe3]

One of my springs broke, im going to replace both. I figured out the sizes for the broken one. However, the other one has slightly different markings on the cone....


The broken one says "42M" cast into the metal in addition to the ID" of "OMI 1 3/4".... The good one says "62M" on it in addition to 1 3/4.

However, the broken one measures 36.5" so unless I made a mistake measuring, I dont think thats length of the spring.

Does anyone know what those markings are? I know 1.75 iis the inner dimensions but I dont know what 42M and 62M are.

And if they are different lengths... does that mean I cannot put the same size on both sides?

 

[gnpenning]

The springs should be the same length. Remember springs get longer when winding.

You can use 2" springs which is a more common size for replacements. You need length and wire size. You can use a micrometer to measure wire size if that is all you have.

 

[Zeke]

There is a chart on the box of a pair of springs. It's pretty accurate if you know the prox weight of the door. Open it a little and rest it on a scale that will read up to 400 lbs. Might get by with one that goes to 300. Depending on the door, you might need a 500# one.

Don't have 500 lb.? use a 2x4 and let the door drop in a the mid point. One end on the scale and the other on a brick. Times the result by 2. This is approx, not perfect method. That's all you need.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

The markings you are reading are on the cone, not the actual spring. There are different types, brands and styles so that in itself is not much good to you. You need to calculate the actual spring dimansions. As was explained, you measure the thickness of the wire of the spring. Then the length of the actual spring, not including the cones. The third number is the diameter, which you have off the cone. The springs may not be the same diameter or length. They may not be a matched pair. Measure the wound up spring the same way. Measure your door height in feet, multiply that number by the diameter of the wire, and subtract that from the total length of the wound spring. This will get you in the ballpark.
1 3/4" diameter springs are not as common anymore, and it is easy to replace them with 2" diameter, but the length of the spring will be a little different.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Here's a very comprehensive read on torsion springs for garage doors-

https://idcspring.com/measure-order-torsion-springs/

 

[PassnThru]

Good info above. Prepare yourself, though, for why you shouldn't replace torsion springs yourself.

 

[Radio Flyer]

Dan at DDM Garage doors helped me out. I had 2 different springs on mine. It was an old Crawford, and someone had replaced 1 side. He explained that with different wire size and length, that the same force can be obtained. It appeared that the previous owner had a newer, popular size installed on one side, and left the older one in place.

I watched his DIY videos and installed it myself.

https://diygaragedoor.com/

 

[Slednut]

When I helped my neighbor install his garage door he had a drill powered spring winder. The one we used was only good for three cycles (you could supposedly only wind the springs three times). I've wound a lot of garage door springs and I have to admit this thing made it a lot easier. Here's a video.

Here's a video on measuring springs.

 

[joe3]

Thanks for the info.... I already know the ID, length and wire size of the busted spring. The ID and wire size of the good spring is the same. I havent removed the good spring to measure length. Thats why i was asking if the "42M" and "62M" markings on the cones denoted length? I guess the good spring will need removal before ordering.

 

[BB Sig]

The S3 Winder is a lot safer than what I've done before! Thanks for the link!

Barry
North Florida

 

[dcs13]

I'll fix just about anything myself, but I refuse to mess with those door springs. Be careful.

 

[mmb617]

That winder does indeed look slick but I'd have trouble justifying the price. I'm too cheap to spend $50 when I can wind them the old way as infrequently as springs need replaced.

 

[Innovate1]

I found the video on the S3 interesting. But the site link in the video comments just goes to the video when you click on S3. I couldn't find anything on how to get it. Does it only come with some doors or is it fairly universal and can be used with most doors?

 

[Slednut]

I found the video on the S3 interesting. But the site link in the video comments just goes to the video when you click on S3. I couldn't find anything on how to get it. Does it only come with some doors or is it fairly universal and can be used with most doors?

Looks like it's available here for $35.

https://www.ebay.com/p/1775069570?i...ciVcIK4VbLYSIiEHSWJZMIQoGyiv0yjRoCiOcQAvD_BwE

 

[wayne55]

I thought about doing mine, but in the end I paid $220 to have them replaced.