overhead garage door

[awdblazer]

i just bought a new overhead garage door
i am just wondering if i can just reuse the track and torsion spring with the new door?
thanks!

 

[Al Bundy]

I wouldn't use the old spring. You may be able to reuse the tracks, but I wouldn't bother. I tried that once and ended up just having to replace the track anyway.

 

[awdblazer]

everything looks to be the same, ie track, rollers and such, just the new door is 1 3/8 versus the old one of about 2 inches but i have lots of play in the brackets that mount the track so i am hoping to just take the old one off and put the new one in

 

[MoToys]

I wouldn't re-use springs.

 

[Mmfh]

Guys are saying not to reuse the springs, those springs are really tough! I've only did it once but last year on a rental house I replaced the door with another used door that was in much better shape.

Reused everything, and I mean everything. Put the new panels in, setup the cables, wound up the springs. Go have a beer.

I didn't even consider replacing parts as there just wasn't any money for it. Everything felt strong and very reusable.

Now I don't know anything about these springs or the safety of using old ones, I'm just telling you what I did.

Just sayin

Mm

 

[Gary S]

I agree about not reusing the springs. Torsion springs have a short life. Used ones have an even shorter life. And, the springs are matched to the weight of the door by the manufacturer, so setting the door up correctly with the wrong springs will be more work than setting it up right with the correct springs.

 

[MoToys]

I agree about not reusing the springs. Torsion springs have a short life. Used ones have an even shorter life. And, the springs are matched to the weight of the door by the manufacturer, so setting the door up correctly with the wrong springs will be more work than setting it up right with the correct springs.

Yup, I didn't have the time earlier to type that all out.

 

[awdblazer]

now really how hard is it to remove the old and install the new?
i am pretty handy too

 

[Al Bundy]

If you've never done it before, be careful. Those springs are man killers if they let loose.

 

[awdblazer]

so i am going to remove the old (everything) and install the new door
any good tips out there?
and honestly how long would it take, the manual says 9-12 hours but i cant see that
thanks again

 

[awdblazer]

so i am going to remove the old (everything) and install the new door
any good tips out there?
and honestly how long would it take, the manual says 9-12 hours but i cant see that
thanks again

 

[jstroede]

I agree about not reusing the springs. Torsion springs have a short life. Used ones have an even shorter life. And, the springs are matched to the weight of the door by the manufacturer, so setting the door up correctly with the wrong springs will be more work than setting it up right with the correct springs.

Yes, the torsion spring is matched to the weight of the door. That is correct. Even 5 lbs of difference on a residential sized door will change the required spring. That being said you can make a spring that is off work, but it won't be perfect.

The part that is wrong is the statement that torsion springs have a short life. That is totally incorrect. Manufacturers generally provide springs that are good for a minimum of 10k to 12k door cycles, and many times closer to 15k cycles. One cycle is one time up and down. I wouldn't exactly call that a short life span. They will DEFINITELY outlast extension springs.

John

 

[jstroede]

It should not take 9-12 hours. Depending on the size of the door and the condition of the house and such, I would say 6 hours would be good for someone that has never done it for a tear out and replace. Also I would replace the track since you said the door thickness is different. There may be issues with where the horizontal reinforcing angle attaches to the wall and not being able to slide the track forward enough for the thinner door. Replacing the track should only take about 30-45 minutes.

John

 

[Stuart in MN]

Manufacturers generally provide springs that are good for a minimum of 10k to 12k door cycles, and many times closer to 15k cycles.

John

One of the springs broke on my garage door a few years back, and I had a door repair guy come out to replace it. I asked him about how long they last and he said 10,000 cycles or so; I did some calculations to figure out how many times the door had been opened, and that number was pretty close.

 

[BPJOOP93]

please do not reuse any of the old stuff. go get new. you will be happier in the long run getting all new track and springs.

 

[camarotoolman]

An empact gun is great for driving all those screws. Saves alot of time and hassel. I've replaces panels and not tracks and stuff, never had a problem. If its the torsion bar type, make a tool to wide it up, and be very careful doing it.

 

[awdblazer]

the new door thankful is a ezwind up just use a 3/8 drill

 

[Schtauffer]

Use the new stuff.

 

[Brentocool]

Put the whole thing up! Dont hurt yourself with the springs

 

[Brentocool]

One of the springs broke on my garage door a few years back, and I had a door repair guy come out to replace it. I asked him about how long they last and he said 10,000 cycles or so; I did some calculations to figure out how many times the door had been opened, and that number was pretty close.

I believe the number is 7 years on homes!

 

[Brentocool]

It should not take 9-12 hours. Depending on the size of the door and the condition of the house and such, I would say 6 hours would be good for someone that has never done it for a tear out and replace. Also I would replace the track since you said the door thickness is different. There may be issues with where the horizontal reinforcing angle attaches to the wall and not being able to slide the track forward enough for the thinner door. Replacing the track should only take about 30-45 minutes.

John

stack the new door in the opening. use 16p nails bent overthe edge of the panels to hold the panels in place. put the hinges on while you stack it. set the track against the door leaving a little space? Whats your door have now? drill pilot holes and run the lag bolts home on the brackets. install the outside hinges after the track is up so you can put the rollers in before you fasten the hinges to the door.Before you do this run your cables up along side the door and then put your last hinges and rollers on. Now your ready for the bearing plates. then your springs and center bearing get slid on the shaft. slide both cable drums on..make sure left is left and right is right..There different. leave all this loose! now get some help and hoist the shaft into place. slide it in one side then the other.. the shaft should stay in place but will sag! place your ladder in the center of the door. use a level and raise it till it is level. mark and drill pilot holes for the center bearing bracket.fasten with lag bolts. ok make sure you have equal lengths of shaft hanging out past both outside bearing plates.then move one of the cable drums against the plate and tighten the set screws. wrap the cable around the drum and make sure its on the cams correctly. turn the shaft by hand so cable sits tight in the drum. now while doing that put a vise grip on the shaft and against the header or top panel and clamp it down. now the cable will stall where it needs to be.(Shaft wont move) now go to the other drum and put the cable in the stay and wrap the cable around the drum by turning the drum. remember I never said tighten the set screws!! Ok now the the cable is on the drum TIGHT and the drum is agaisnt the bearing plate tighten the set screws. Thats it!! Put tension on the springs and your ready to go. Heres a easy way to know you have the right turns on the springs. A 6'6" or 7' door has to have 7 turns on it to be correct. You can count 1/4 turns or just take a can of spray paint and make a line across the spring .when you have 7 lines on the spring your done.

2 Hours Get going!!!

 

[Al Bundy]

I believe the number is 7 years on homes!

I think it has a lot to do with the manufacturer and the quality of their product. One of my doors is 20+ years and still going strong. It's certainly well past the average cycles since my wife knows no other way to get in and out of the house.

 

[Brentocool]

I think it has a lot to do with the manufacturer and the quality of their product. One of my doors is 20+ years and still going strong. It's certainly well past the average cycles since my wife knows no other way to get in and out of the house.

20 years on the same springs thats gotta be a record! Are they torsion or extension springs

 

[Bronson]

YouTube has some really good vids of tips on installing new springs, etc.

 

[awdblazer]

just got finished this afternoon
was pretty easy, took me long but that was only working a little here and a little there (i have a 2 year old and a 3 month old)
very happy with the install
thanks everyone for the help!!