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Torquemaster PLUS Garage Door Strangeness

sdsurfer

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Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Messages
23
So I went to close my double garage door today (since found out its a Torquemaster Plus 7ft high, 2 car wide setup) and it wouldn't close. So I disconnected the door from the chain and tried to pull it down thinking maybe something was caught. It was so tight I couldn't pull it down at all.

So I thought maybe too much tension on the springs or something. So I researched how to release tension on the spring ends and started releasing tension. Once side of the spring winding went exactly how people were showing in videos, so I release a couple turns of tension in that side, then moved to the other and it kept getting stuck while unwinding, where I would have to put tension back on, then let it go some, then add tension and let more go. I finally got both springs to no tension and the wires connecting to the bottom of the door was loose.

So I started tightening up the springs, of course the good side went great, 3 rotations, no issues. Then I went to the side that was giving me issues and was ok, way harder to tighten but I got 3 rotations in, out of the 16 manual says I need. So fast forward by like the 10th rotation the problem side is getting very hard but ok, I get all 16 turns in on both sides and the garage door is hard to open by hand, which I know isn't right... Then I use the opener and it opens and closes a few times before it gets stuck all the way up again and I have to release all the tension again.

Thoughts on what the issue could be? its almost like the problem side isn't spinning and keeps adding tension when I open and close the garage door. I ordered a Drum assembly kit cuz fast shipping and free returns from a major online shopping site... Wondering if I should also order new spring winding ends or maybe something with the springs? the the springs are way expensive...
 
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racecougar

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Jan 26, 2021
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4,981
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Missouri
The springs didn't magically increase tension; you have something else going on that is jamming up the door.

If you can't move the door by hand, running the door opener is a really bad idea.
 

firebirdparts

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Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
10,585
Location
Kingsport, TN
You should not have done that. I guess if you have the tension released, you might as well turn the shaft by hand and see if you think it turns smoothly. The shaft itself has bearings on the end and is an example of something that might stick.

A 16 by 7 door would just about kill you, or would kill you if it actually hit you, to close it with the springs loose. FWIW. Guess it didn't bother you.
 

BrandonV

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Joined
Jun 9, 2023
Messages
4,030
Location
Arizona
The correct answer with any Wayne Dalton Torquemaster is to replace it with a standard torsion spring setup. That system is absolute junk and as you've seen the replacement springs are incredibly expensive.
 
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sdsurfer

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Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Messages
23
Yeah I’m debating replacing it with something else for sure.

I just weighted the door is 220 pounds with all the tension off. I may see if I can get a replacement end cap to see if it’s something with the bearings that’s getting clogged up. If that doesn’t work I’ll look into a few non Wayne dalton system
 
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sdsurfer

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Messages
23
I was able to determine when raising the door, with tension in the spring. About a foot from the top the anti drop mechanism engages and I am unable to pull down without disengaging it. I’ll try replacing end caps and keep you all posted
 
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sdsurfer

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Joined
Jan 7, 2024
Messages
23
So I took the springs out and not broken but one was bent. Replaced springs, roller drums and end locking cap mechanism and works great now.

Posting photo incase anyone has similar symptoms and see this post
 

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