Spring for custom garage door

[driven3]

So, due to township restrictions, I had to install a 5ft wide garage door under my house after it was raised.

I had a brand new 8ft door which i cut 1.5ft off each side, and bolted the hardware back onto. It looks surprisingly good, but the old torsion spring is just too stiff.

I would like to be able to order an off the shelf spring from somewhere, but am unsure where to start with all the variables.

The door is an encapsulted insulated steel door. I don't have the old spring in front of me, but will be able to get details later.

 

[tjdux]

There is a company near where i live that will make them custom for very fair pricing. Its called blue valley door. Its a local place but they may ship you one.

There is probably a place near you that could make one too.
I know the last time i needed a spring i spent a while searching online and finally called the local place and local place was much cheaper and no shipping/waiting.

They just cut a lenght off a long spring stock that was sized for my door off an old spring. A good company should be abke to resize yours to correctly lift the door.

Also you could maybe cut some coils off your current spring. All they did when they cut mine was used a OA torch but i didn't see everything. Also have no clue how to do it peoperly or safely so i wouldn't go that route but maybe someone here can tell us more about it.

Also can we see a pic of it?

Good luck

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[gnpenning]

You need the weight of the door to properly size the spring for your door. Height of door and drum size matters as well.

If you're using a standard 12" radius track not a high lift for example. The lift rate is different through the height of the door.

I stock spring snakes of common wire size. Not a big deal making up a new spring. Most door companies can do this for you.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Excellent information. Get your bathroom scale, lift your door and slide the scale under it. Door should be complete with hinges, rollers, etc. if it is not in yet just weigh all the sections and parts and go from there. Most local door companies can do this. You cannot take a few coils off the old spring. It becomes much much stiffer. Other option is to weigh the scrap you cut off and add that weight to the door with some flat plate bolted to the door. Then use the original spring. The right spring would be the better option. Just thinking out loud.

 

[nmk_61802]

http://ddmgaragedoors.com/

 

[MikeF]

I've got a calculator if you have center of shaft, drum model and door weight