Leveling / Balance door torsion spring

[scoob8000]

I've been noticing as my garage door goes up the bottom right (looking from inside) begins to bind with the track when it's up almost the whole way.

The only thing I can figure is the spring on the RH side has slightly more tension on it, causing the door to **** a bit as it goes up.

If that's the case, is there any way I can safely release a tiny bit of tension on that side to see?

 

[Daves69]

What type of springs on the door?

 

[LB-1911]

I've been noticing as my garage door goes up the bottom right (looking from inside) begins to bind with the track when it's up almost the whole way.

The only thing I can figure is the spring on the RH side has slightly more tension on it, causing the door to **** a bit as it goes up.

If that's the case, is there any way I can safely release a tiny bit of tension on that side to see?

Condition of cables and drums?

Have you disconnected the opener and checked the balance of the door?

Do-It-Yourself Garage Door Instruction Library
http://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/

 

[upndown]

What type of springs on the door?

^this^. The difference between torsion and extension springs is like apples and oranges!

 

[scoob8000]

Torsion. It's in the title.

Everything is about a year old. I have a jackshaft opener but have it disengaged at the moment so it doesn't try to unwind the cables until I fix the binding issue.


It seems to balance midway okay. It also doesn't seem to want to go crooked until it's open almost the whole way

 

[larry_g]

One possibility is that the drum on the shaft has slipped. when the door is up check that each cable is about the same tension. If the binding side is loose then you may have your problem. Also check the other side and make sure that the cable is winding smooth and not stacking.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[MikeF]

Spring tension variance on either side won't effect how level the door is with torsion springs. The drum slipped or a cable is frayed/broken/knotted up. They shrink as the knot up.

 

[upndown]

And the cable gets longer as it starts fraying. Being its only about a year old I doubt the above mentioned is your problem. But anythings possible, just give both cables a visual. I'd focus more on a slipped drum.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

Cables frequently "bird cage". Also known as a popped core. The damaged cable will actually get shorter because the inner core pulls out through the side. Check both cables thoroughly. Frayed cables will get longer, bird caged cables will get shorter.

 

[upndown]

Always loved those kinda calls. Easy money! If it is a frayed cable, after you've replaced it check to make sure the cable is not rubbing on the track. Also with the door open, check for over spooling, if that's the case the drum will need to be moved out a bit. Cables generally don't fray for no reason.

 

[scoob8000]

I did kind of "feel" for tension but with the door closed. The side that's binding does have a tiny bit more tension on the cable.

I'll recheck it with the door open.

If that's the case could I open the door the whole way then prop it up. Loosen the drum on the less tension side, take up a bit of slack and retighten?

I'm fine messing with them when there is no tension on them, but really don't want to mess with winding bars on the springs.

 

[upndown]

When your door is closed, are you seeing a gap between the door and floor that wasn't there before? The reason I ask is I noticed on your Log the door was installed before the floor was poured.

Personally, I never set the cables with the door open! You have no control over where that drums gonna end up once you retighten the setscrews. If you overtighten that drum, you'll have the same problem on the other side, it doesn't take much.

 

[scoob8000]

Correct they did have the door in first. There was a gap on the opposite diagonal corner from the one that's binding. Contractor "fixed" it by dropping the seal a bi

Is there any simple test I can do with a level or anything? I'm sort of thinking about calling in a pro. I'm sure it's a 5 minute fix, but I'd like to learn.

 

[upndown]

So many little things it could possibly be! Especially being installed before the floor. Lay a level on the floor, just for kicks. Then lay it on top of the door. See where your at.

 

[scoob8000]

So many little things it could possibly be! Especially being installed before the floor. Lay a level on the floor, just for kicks. Then lay it on top of the door. See where your at.

So with the door closed and 4ft level centered on the top panel it's level, and the floor in the center is level too.

Do the drums normally go on the same way on both sides, or should one be reversed? I notice mine is the same on both sides, cable winds left to right.

On my house garage door, the right side is a mirror image of the left. Those drums also unwind from the outside vs the inside. Am I onto something, or no? LOL

 

[upndown]

Lol..I have Never seen or heard of that before! Never even crossed my mind to have you check that. Haha

Most drums have a R or L on them. But then again with these newer doors..who knows. If in fact you do have the same drums, call your builder, door co should be responsible for being that ******* stupid! Good luck man.