Liftmaster 8500 Install Alternatives - No Clearance

[dmw16]

I'd really like to switch over to a jackscrew style garage door opener for less noise (it's under my 2-year old's room) and also to get the locking mechanism.


There's not the specified 8" adjacent to the where the torsion bar would go (there's no torsion bar currently). Only about 2" of space there because of how my house was built (the door is in a bump-out/recess type thing).

Has anyone installed one inboard of the track? Or can I mount it past the torsion bar and then use a short chain or something?

Maybe I'm better off calling a Liftmaster installer, but wasn't sure if they want to bother with a residential thing without charging me an arm and a leg.

 

[muncie21]

Interesting question. I have a LM8500, but am no expert...

Regarding placing the 8500 'inboard of the track', the unit isn't designed for the torsion rod to go 'through' the unit, it only clamps/attaches to the end.

I believe that it its possible to attach a chain/gear type drive to the 8500. It would take some work and perhaps adjustment of the overload settings, but should still be in the realms of possibility.

If you decide to go this route, be sure to provide lots of pictures, as I suspect you would be in a very, very small group of folks to have attempted this!

 

[kingchevy]

Liftmaster sells an alternate mounting kit #580LM that may work for you.

 

[Rookie2]

liftmaster sells an alternate mounting kit #580lm that may work for you.

#480 lm

 

[dmw16]

Thanks guys, appreciate the input.

Looks like that alternate mounting kit would work well. It seems like it's meant to allow mounting above the torsion bar, but I don't see any reason why it couldn't be mounted beyond it instead.

I also realized that I had foolishly overlooked the fact that my garage door is an extension spring. So maybe make a new post about converting over to a torsion spring...

 

[AP2TUDE]

I had the extension setup on my previous garage door due to a lack of clearance, and it worked just as well as the standard jackshaft mount. Just make sure that everything is aligned really well, and you won't have any issues.

 

[psjoyal]

I've got a brand new LM 8500 I'll sell for cheap if interested. I bought 3. Just went to install the one for my shop door, and after unpacking everything and thoroughly reading the instructions, discovered that it doesn't have the capacity for my insulated 18'W x 12'H door. They work beautifully on my smaller doors on the house garage. $250.

 

[kirkkw]

If reducing noise is your primary objective then simply support the motor/head assembly using cable rather than the normal method. You will quite surprised, the noise will be 1/3 as a hard mounting of the motor causes the vibrations/noise to be transmitted into the structural members of the building.

I had the opposite issue with my garage - the ceiling is 7 feet above the door so it was easy to suspend the motor. I was truly surprised by how much quieter it is now.

 

[dmw16]

If reducing noise is your primary objective then simply support the motor/head assembly using cable rather than the normal method. You will quite surprised, the noise will be 1/3 as a hard mounting of the motor causes the vibrations/noise to be transmitted into the structural members of the building.

I had the opposite issue with my garage - the ceiling is 7 feet above the door so it was easy to suspend the motor. I was truly surprised by how much quieter it is now.

Noise reduction is the primary focus.

I'd love to know more or see what you did.

I also think a lot of the noise comes from the extension and retraction of the springs rather than the door and opener...tho those both contribute as well.

 

[Mgnu]

I'm also interested in seeing the noise reduction method! My noisy door is below my 2 and 4yr old's rooms. It's terribly loud despite me keeping the door and chain lubed properly.