[RESOLVED] Tech wants to replace entire jackshaft. Is there a simpler solution?

[cartierglasses]

EDIT: Fixed for next to nothing. See Firebrick43's reply below.

I have a Liftmaster Chamberlain 3800PLD that's about 10 years old. When I close the garage door it reaches the bottom but then comes back up. The alignment of the sensors is fine. This has been a problem over the last few months where I have to reset the travel limits and force. These resets have been increasing in frequency lately.

I contacted a local garage repair place and they sent someone out for a "diagnostic." He found the door to be balanced but he noticed the garage door would slightly drift down upon reaching the top position. Here's a video of that happening. Their diagnosis is that there is a problem with the gear and they suggested replacing the entire jackshaft for $1,250 (with a Liftmaster 8500W).

I called Liftmaster support to see if this was under warranty. They didn't really seem to understand the issue but suggested that I replace the Travel Module for $40. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think this will fix it and I don't know how to convince them otherwise.

I think replacing the jackshaft seems a bit overkill but what do you guys think about my situation? Thanks!

 

[nadogail]

Get another opinion

 

[Firebrick43]

Make sure the encoder drive gear isn't slipping on the shaft. A few months ago my neighbor was experiencing odd issues with his door drifting limits.

After fooling with it for quite some time resetting limits, I removed the cover and found the plastic gear on the jackshaft that drives the position encoder gears was loose.

 

[wssix99]

The labor for a technician to repair the unit will be more than buying an entirely new one. (Particularly if the first repair uncovers additional issues.) ...When the repair bill goes higher than a new unit, customers want to argue about it with them.

This type of option died decades ago with the TV Repairmen we used to have on every block.

If you want to have this done inexpensively, you need to do it yourself.

 

[P0234]

Can't say what the fix is but installing a new opener for almost $700 seems pretty pricey.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I think replacing the jackshaft seems a bit overkill but what do you guys think about my situation? Thanks!

When you say 'jackshaft', are you referring to the shaft above the entire width of the door holding the cable pulleys?

Or are you merely referring to the operator ('garage door opener'); i.e. Chamberlain 3800PLD?

 

[cartierglasses]

When you say 'jackshaft', are you referring to the shaft above the entire width of the door holding the cable pulleys?

Or are you merely referring to the operator ('garage door opener'); i.e. Chamberlain 3800PLD?

I hope I didn't use any terminology that was confusing. The problem is ostensibly with the gear, which is located inside the opener, so I am referring to the opener. The tech wants to replace the entire opener for $1250, parts and labor.

 

[manwithtools]

For $43 I'd get the Travel Module and give it a shot. These opener's are not hard to work on, give it a go yourself. Report back with any questions.

 

[pattenp]

I experienced the problem as posted by Firebrick43 where the position sensor gear was loose and would slip causing the door to raise or stop one foot or so above the floor. The gear has a set screw that needed tightening. See following post. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ose-position-sensor-gear.207656/#post-4502270

 

[cartierglasses]

Make sure the encoder drive gear isn't slipping on the shaft. A few months ago my neighbor was experiencing odd issues with his door drifting limits.

After fooling with it for quite some time resetting limits, I removed the cover and found the plastic gear on the jackshaft that drives the position encoder gears was loose.

I experienced the problem as posted by Firebrick43 where the position sensor gear was loose and would slip causing the door to raise or stop one foot or so above the floor. The gear has a set screw that needed tightening. See following post. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ose-position-sensor-gear.207656/#post-4502270

Thanks both! As an update, tightened it as much as I could and put some Loctite for good measure. It seems to be not moving at the top nearly as much but I will check again after some time.

Someone suggested to tighten the set screws on the coupler that attaches the operator to the torsion tube. Is this potentially related?

 

[Firebrick43]

Thanks both! As an update, tightened it as much as I could and put some Loctite for good measure. It seems to be not moving at the top nearly as much but I will check again after some time.

Someone suggested to tighten the set screws on the coupler that attaches the operator to the torsion tube. Is this potentially related?

In my instance the gear was slipping on the openers tube. But Yes, if the torsion shaft/tube was slipping on the set screws of the openers tube it would cause the same thing.

 

[cartierglasses]

The labor for a technician to repair the unit will be more than buying an entirely new one. (Particularly if the first repair uncovers additional issues.) ...When the repair bill goes higher than a new unit, customers want to argue about it with them.

This type of option died decades ago with the TV Repairmen we used to have on every block.

If you want to have this done inexpensively, you need to do it yourself.

I don't think I'm understanding your point too well but, anyways, they actually never suggested to repair anything. The first solution out of the techs mouth was to replace the entire opener. Really a shame.

 

[kbs2244]

I would check all the set screws
10 years of vibrations can loosen them

 

[Sumboodie]

How is a jackshaft causing issue? It's just a pipe.

 

[racecougar]

How is a jackshaft causing issue? It's just a pipe.

The OP meant the operator.

I agree with Firebrick. If the encoder slips relative to the jackshaft, whether that's at the coupler for the encoder or the coupler from the operator to the jackshaft, the open/close points will drift. The operator will spin the commanded number of revolutions, but only a portion of that motion will be transferred to the door.

 

[ludakris04]

the problem with closing and opening.. I had that with my first opener (3800). I went through what I could and figured it to be the control board. I mistakenly called a garage door company, hoping they would have one in stock. The guy arrives, tells me I have the wrong openener, and these should not be used for my application (2 door garage door) , yadda, yadda. I quickly realized this guy was going to be no help.
I ended up calling Chamberland and they warrantied a whole new opener (it was 3 yo) and shipped me an 8500.
Since then I have had to get new wall controls multiple times.. all warrantied.

not sure how a $500 opener would cost $700 in labor to replace. I did all of my installations.

 

[drmarkr]

I have a Liftmaster Chamberlain 3800PLD that's about 10 years old. When I close the garage door it reaches the bottom but then comes back up. The alignment of the sensors is fine. This has been a problem over the last few months where I have to reset the travel limits and force. These resets have been increasing in frequency lately.

I contacted a local garage repair place and they sent someone out for a "diagnostic." He found the door to be balanced but he noticed the garage door would slightly drift down upon reaching the top position. Here's a video of that happening. Their diagnosis is that there is a problem with the gear and they suggested replacing the entire jackshaft for $1,250 (with a Liftmaster 8500W).

I called Liftmaster support to see if this was under warranty. They didn't really seem to understand the issue but suggested that I replace the Travel Module for $40. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think this will fix it and I don't know how to convince them otherwise.

I think replacing the jackshaft seems a bit overkill but what do you guys think about my situation? Thanks!

$1250 to replace a $450 opener....??? WTF? Seriously? If you really think it needs replaced, just do it yourself. Order the thing on Amazon and it'll take you about one hour to do it. Maybe less.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BS28SP8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[PoorUB]

$1250 to replace a $450 opener....??? WTF? Seriously? If you really think it needs replaced, just do it yourself. Order the thing on Amazon and it'll take you about one hour to do it. Maybe less.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BS28SP8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Pretty much what I was thinking. Even if he had a company come over and replace it I can't image a new opener installed would run much more than the quoted repair.

It was probablt a F-you quote. We don't want to fix it, but if we do you are paying dearly for it.

 

[drmarkr]

Pretty much what I was thinking. Even if he had a company come over and replace it I can't image a new opener installed would run much more than the quoted repair.

It was probablt a F-you quote. We don't want to fix it, but if we do you are paying dearly for it.

Assuming the springs on the door are already balanced (simple to check), you just fukking loosen a few bolts and slide the old one off, and the new one on. Programming the new unit will take longer than the install....

 

[cartierglasses]

Wanted to close the loop on this. I did exactly as Firebrick43 suggested and a week later the garage door is staying place and closing properly. Grand total cost to repair: $8 (I bought some loctite to put on the screw) . Thanks all!

 

[Mike07042]

Make sure the encoder drive gear isn't slipping on the shaft. A few months ago my neighbor was experiencing odd issues with his door drifting limits.

After fooling with it for quite some time resetting limits, I removed the cover and found the plastic gear on the jackshaft that drives the position encoder gears was loose.

what the size of allen wrench? Mine does fit, :-(((

 

[finn]

what the size of allen wrench? Mine does fit, :-(((

Need a SnapOn Allen wrench to do this job correctly.

 

[Firebrick43]

what the size of allen wrench? Mine does fit, :-(((

I do not remember if it was metric or standard but it was in one of the bondhus L key sets i have in my travel box.

 

[Mike07042]

Need a SnapOn Allen wrench to do this job correctly.

1.5 too small, 2 too big, I guess I need something inbetween...

 

[Mike07042]

Need a SnapOn Allen wrench to do this job correctly.

I have two sets but did not fit in, maybe I shall try tomorrow again...

 

[Firebrick43]

1.5 too small, 2 too big, I guess I need something inbetween...

Both 1/16 and 5/64 is between those sizes