Replacing garage door spring.
- Thread starter m.breen
- Start date
kd3pc
Well-known member
no clue.....means get an experienced person to do this.
Your used one, may be worse than the old one. Got the right tools, a second set of hands and ...??
Factor in an ER visit and some time off, or worse, This is one job that DIYers should hand off.
Your used one, may be worse than the old one. Got the right tools, a second set of hands and ...??
Factor in an ER visit and some time off, or worse, This is one job that DIYers should hand off.
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Is it the coiled type at the top?
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
If it is, just remember the cartoons of Tom and Jerry when Tom get's wound up in a window shade when you try it.
I know from working on roll up doors on rear cargo doors, they can hurt you. Both have to wound evenly, usually using two bars. I got too old and lazy to fix my doors when they broke, I put an ad on CL looking someone to do door repair and got a regular door guy that works for a local door company to come over and fix mine. He charged me $50 a cold beer and lunch. One of the attaching brackets pulled out of the wood on one of my 14x14 doors and he had to take the tension off so we could reattach it.
I know from working on roll up doors on rear cargo doors, they can hurt you. Both have to wound evenly, usually using two bars. I got too old and lazy to fix my doors when they broke, I put an ad on CL looking someone to do door repair and got a regular door guy that works for a local door company to come over and fix mine. He charged me $50 a cold beer and lunch. One of the attaching brackets pulled out of the wood on one of my 14x14 doors and he had to take the tension off so we could reattach it.
tel0004
Active member
I'm assuming you have a torsion spring? (the other type commonly found is an extension spring, but those are easy enough to install (open the garage door, attach the spring)
To attatch a torsion spring you need two winding bars. You put the spring into, and slowly wind it to add tension, then use some set screws to lock it in place.
Watch some videos on youtube, it will show you what to do.
Just note, torsion springs can be very dangerous. You can be seriously injured or killed when you are winding one up. Lock the garage door shut, unplug the opener, and no distractions while you are doing it, and make sure you know what you are doing.
I have done it before, and if you take your time, don't stand in front of the winding bars when adding tension it can be done, as long as you understand the danger and treat it with caution. A lot of people will say get a professional, and its not bad advise, but most people here use table saws, oxy torches, welding torches and manage to do so safely. The torsion spring can be just as dangerous, but the danger is not as obvious.
To attatch a torsion spring you need two winding bars. You put the spring into, and slowly wind it to add tension, then use some set screws to lock it in place.
Watch some videos on youtube, it will show you what to do.
Just note, torsion springs can be very dangerous. You can be seriously injured or killed when you are winding one up. Lock the garage door shut, unplug the opener, and no distractions while you are doing it, and make sure you know what you are doing.
I have done it before, and if you take your time, don't stand in front of the winding bars when adding tension it can be done, as long as you understand the danger and treat it with caution. A lot of people will say get a professional, and its not bad advise, but most people here use table saws, oxy torches, welding torches and manage to do so safely. The torsion spring can be just as dangerous, but the danger is not as obvious.
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3rdgen
Well-known member
Its not to hard just need to make some winder bars. There is some good videos on youtube about this. Just be careful to follow the instructions for the spring too and keep your head away from the bars when winding.
hotwax007
Member
Here's a decent DIY video that helped me out a couple months ago...
I would strongly recommend you getting a new spring rated for the door you have. As far as danger if the old spring is already removed I would say you are good. Most of the new springs are tension differently now which is a lot safer. Link below is how all the garage doors I have installed lately are tensioned.
http://www.clopaydoor.com/residential/buyingguide/garage-door-spring-system
http://www.clopaydoor.com/residential/buyingguide/garage-door-spring-system
wrench409
Well-known member
No brainer.....
$100 for a door contractor
$10000 for an ER event.
And then pay the contractor anyway.
$100 for a door contractor
$10000 for an ER event.
And then pay the contractor anyway.
BD1
Well-known member
Have a garage door installer do it. Depending on condition of door maybe consider a complete replacement.
Neighbor had his torsion spring replaced and it was $25.00 more to have it done then what he could buy it for . IF there is a issue, it's on the garage door guy.
Neighbor had his torsion spring replaced and it was $25.00 more to have it done then what he could buy it for . IF there is a issue, it's on the garage door guy.
Tig Master
Well-known member
The springs are sold by wire diameter and length,and rh or lh twistThere is a little more than just changing the spring especially when there are 2 springs. Can be done easily if you start with the correct spring.
T
T
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Farrier
Well-known member
upndown
Well-known member
Why would anyone be selling a used garage door spring on kijiji? Not a good idea!! Nothing like having the spring break while your winding it, not an experience I would recommend! If your going to try this yourself, at least start with new springs.
Make sure you get the correct springs! Replace both springs at the same time. Takes the same amount of work to replace one as it does to replace both. Good luck.
Make sure you get the correct springs! Replace both springs at the same time. Takes the same amount of work to replace one as it does to replace both. Good luck.
hotwax007
Member
I was quoted over $300 for a pair of springs including installation. I did some research and bought them online for $60 witch included the winding bars. Took me less than an hour to install and for me this was about 2 out of a 10 for difficulty. I would assume that if you're on this forum then you are fairly handy and enjoy fixing things yourself so go for it!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTGM2GI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTGM2GI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
Lorydr
Well-known member
Exactly! I used to install and service these doors & springs. If one is broken, replace the others as well. They are ready to break.
philofab
Well-known member
Always buy new springs.
If there is two springs then replace both at the same time (the other will fail shortly)
One spring is left wound, the other right. The color on the spring will tell you which is which.
http://www.garagedoornation.com/pages/how-to-determine-left-wound-vs-right-wound-garage-door-springs
There is a tremendous amount of kinetic energy stored in the springs, be careful and know what you are doing before you attempt. A strong fore-arm helps, and make sure you have a good, sturdy ladder.
If there is two springs then replace both at the same time (the other will fail shortly)
One spring is left wound, the other right. The color on the spring will tell you which is which.
http://www.garagedoornation.com/pages/how-to-determine-left-wound-vs-right-wound-garage-door-springs
There is a tremendous amount of kinetic energy stored in the springs, be careful and know what you are doing before you attempt. A strong fore-arm helps, and make sure you have a good, sturdy ladder.
This really helped me a lot, thanks.
TMcCay
Well-known member
Not only should you replace both springs at the same time but the ends on the springs should be replaced at the same time. I have seen people get away with reusing the ends but it is not worth that one time that the end gives way and the spring comes undone.
Former door installer here. I did buy a specific set of winder bars at my door supplier when I bought my doors. Money well spent. But extreme caution should be used if you have never done this!
Former door installer here. I did buy a specific set of winder bars at my door supplier when I bought my doors. Money well spent. But extreme caution should be used if you have never done this!
HandyVan
Member
I never even liked changing the extension springs. I saw the hole in the cement tile roof caused by the one that had broken. This was before they added the wire limiters. Now I hire it done; this is the only head I've got!
I've worked at a company for the past 34 years that makes the torsion springs that you are talking about and I too would recommend getting someone else to do it. It can be done by anyone but one slip of the winding bar and real bad things can happen. Those spring under tension can and will bite and bite hard. If you do attempt it please do your homework on how to do it properly.
upndown
Well-known member
What company do you work for? If it's cool to ask.