Professional Steps to Garage Door Spring Replacement

Garage door spring replacement is a job for a professional. It’s simply too dangerous to consider as a DIY project, as broken springs can cause extensive damage or injury. Also, proper installation is required for your garage door to work correctly. We’ll look at the steps required to successfully replace the springs in your garage door system. Call a professional if there are signs it’s time to replace torsion springs or garage door extension springs, including the following:

• Slow opening
• The door closes too quickly
• Loud noises
• Crooked garage door
• Gaps in a spring
• Corroded spring

How to Perform Garage Door Spring Replacement

Once the experienced professionals from Mesa Garage Doors arrive, they will proceed with the following steps:

Identify the Type of Spring

Two types of springs are used with residential garage doors:

• Torsion: Torsion springs are installed above the garage door opening. They come in one- or two-spring systems. If a torsion spring is damaged, the door may have little or no movement when you raise it manually. A door positioned midway will feel heavy or not stay in place.
• Extension: Extension springs are positioned on each side of the garage door near the tracks. Safety cables hold them in place. Damage is evident by gaps in the spring coils, rust on the springs, and if the garage door is misaligned.

Measure the Replacement Spring

The next step in garage door spring replacement is to measure the dimensions and attributes of the new spring needed. Finding the right-sized spring ensures it’s compatible with your garage door. A technician must release the spring’s tension to get an accurate measurement. At this stage, they will measure the following parameters:

• Length: The overall length of the unwound spring, including the broken pieces, is added together and rounded up to the nearest whole number.
• Inside Diameter: The spring’s inner diameter is measured. Markings on the spring labeled “ID” specify a value for this parameter.
• Wire Gauge: A professional measures the wire size of a torsion spring by counting 20 coils of wire, measuring that length, and using a reference to translate the measurement into the proper wire size. The length can also be divided by 20 to get a value, while extension springs are often color-coded based on their size.
• Right or Left Wind: The technician checks if the springs coil clockwise (right wound) or counterclockwise (left wound) from the winding cone. A left-wound spring is installed on the right side of the anchor bracket and a right-wound spring is on the left side.

Gather Safety Equipment and Tools

At the very least, garage door spring replacement requires safety glasses and strong gloves. A contractor is experienced with all the safety equipment they need. They also use tools such as heavy-duty wrenches and sockets, winding bars, and others that the average homeowner probably doesn’t have.

Disconnect the Opener

The garage door repair technician disconnects the garage door opener. Otherwise, the system can accidentally turn on while they’re working. They also make sure the door is secure using locking pliers or C-clamps. These keep the door stable during the repair process.

Release Spring Tension

If replacing a torsion spring, the contractor inserts winding bars into the winding cone. The spring is then unwound. If you have extension springs, the door is opened and clamped. The technician can then safely disconnect the springs.

Remove the Old Springs

Once fully unwound, torsion springs are detached from the torsion bar and anchor bracket. Two 9/16” wrenches are used to loosen the bolts holding the springs in place. Extension springs are removed from the brackets and tracks.

Install the New Springs

Torsion springs are installed starting on the left side. The tech slides the new springs onto the shaft and attaches the drum back to the tube. Each spring must be correctly oriented before it’s secured. Extension springs are attached to the appropriate brackets. The contractor adjusts them until they’re the proper tension.

Reset Drums/Cables

Torsion spring drums and cables are reset starting on the left side. This process requires aligning the torsion bar and placing the drum where it was before, lining up with the set screws. The screws are secured and the cable is put back in the drum slot, then wound onto the drum until taught. The bar is then locked in place.

Adjust the Spring Tension

Torsion spring tension is adjusted by winding the springs to the correct number of turns (per the manufacturer’s guidelines). Extension springs are tensioned by changing the attachment point on the track. The technician will do this until the door is balanced.

Test the Garage Door

After removing any clamps or locking pliers, the contractor opens and closes the garage door a few times. At this point, they’ll check whether it operates smoothly and verify the springs were installed correctly.

Why You Need a Professional

Hiring a professional for garage door spring replacement ensures you have someone with the proper expertise and knowledge to get the job done right. A technician is trained in the safety risks and using the correct tools and parts. They also work quickly to get your garage door working again, with no guesswork. The service is warranted, and you save money by avoiding pricier repairs that may be required due to DIY mistakes.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors

Our team provides garage door spring replacement and other repairs in Southern California. This is a common issue as all garage door springs wear out and eventually break. From selecting the correct size to properly installing the new spring, our technicians always get the job done right. We are available 24/7 for emergency service. To schedule a visit or inquire about the cost of garage spring repair, call (714) 831-3202.