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3 Ways To Get Your Garage Door Spring Replaced

By | Rebecca Siggers

Planning to replace your damaged garage door springs?. Here are two simple ways to do the same efficiently.

What You Need

  1. Socket wrench set
  2. Step ladder
  3. Cordless drill
  4. Measuring tape
  5. Winding bars
  6. Open-ended -wrench set
  7. Locking pliers or Vise- grips
  8. Wire gauge
  9. Door Lubricant
  10. A new set of torsion springs

Preparing For The Process

  1. Keep the garage door closed and make sure to remove the power source from the opener before you indulge in the work.
  2. Disengage the door opener from the door. In the case of old models, you might need to remove the L-shaped drawbar arm. In newer models, you might have to place the door opener in a neutral position to disconnect the trolley.
  3. As a precaution, snap a Vise-Grip plier on the vertical track right above the roller to stop the door from lifting when you are installing the springs.

1. Replacing Torsion Springs:

  1. Insert a winding bar on the winding cone of the remaining spring that is still holding tension. With the help of a socket wrench loosen the holding screws to release the tension.
  2. Unwind till the winding bar points towards the floor and is pressed against the door.
  3. Slowly insert the second winding bar inside the winding cone. Push this up and remove the first bar.
  4. Unload the second winding until it points to the floor. Make sure not to touch the springs while unwinding as a precaution. Use the two bars to release the tension slowly.
  5. Once you complete unwinding both springs, slowly remove the center bolts that hold the two springs together.
  6. Start lightly filing the screw marks of the old set from the torsion shaft. This step will help you to slide the drums and springs across the shaft with ease.
  7. Remove the shaft, cable drum, and spring. Let the plastic bushing stay.
  8. Slide the replacement spring inside the shaft. The alignment should be such that the red winding cone lies on the left side of the door when you view from inside the garage. Insert the other spring on the opposite side. The opposite spring will have a similar winding cone in black.
  9. While keeping the torsion shaft in place, reattach the springs to the center.
  10. Attach the left cable drum and cable and tighten it into the shaft.
  11. Attach a vise-grip to the shaft and secure it against a rigid surface, like the wall.
  12. Repeat step 11 on the right side.
  13. Insert a winding on the opposite side and rest it against the door. Push for a quarter turn while removing the other bar. You might need to perform anywhere between 31 to 34 quarter turns to complete the process based on the height of your garage door.
  14. Once the turns are complete, make sure to leave one winding on the cone tightly pressing against the door.
  15. Secure the screws on the left side of the torsion spring tightly and insert a second winding bar in such a way that it is parallel to the ground. Now slightly tug upwards and remove the first winding bar carefully.
  16. While holding the attached winding bar, start releasing the tension to attach the spring to the torsion bar. Be very careful not to touch the springs or keep your face too close to them as they could suddenly unwind. Once complete, remove the winding bar and the Vise-Grips.
  17. Try to manually lift the doors and recheck the alignment. The garage door should not lift itself. If that happens, make sure to adjust the springs.
  18. Reconnect the door to the opener and attach it to the outlet to test. This way you can replace garage door spring

2. Replacing Extension Springs

  1. We will start by removing the broken spring first. Pry open the eye-hook, if any, that secures the broken spring to the wall.
  2. Next, remove the extension spring from an eye-bolt.
  3. If there are safety cables in your system, you have to loosen the same from the fixture, such as angle iron or wall as well. Make sure to loosen the cable slowly while gripping it well to avoid any accidents.
  4. You can now remove the damaged extension spring from the safety cable and place it aside.
  5. Now with proper support or help lift the garage door open.
  6. Place a vise-grip on the track below the roller to stop the door from closing.
  7. Remove the bracket and slide the look of the cable to the bracket with a loop. Secure it with the roller.
  8. Reattach the bracket to the door and secure it with bolts.
  9. Detach the S-hook placed in the track with the pulley and disassemble the pulley.
  10. Add the pulley fork to the new spring and attach the bolts to secure it.
  11. Slowly slide one of the spring in the eye of the eye bolts we prepared earlier. Use a vise-grip to secure the bolt.
  12. Slide the cable over the pulley or the stationary pulley in the system. Slide it through the pulley that we previously attached to the extension spring.
  13. Connect the cable to the cable clip, and then the S hook and complete the installation.
  14. Slide the safety cables and install them as well.
  15. Repeat the entire replacement process for the other side of the door. Make sure both extension springs are of the same length. If not, adjust the S-hook position to achieve this.
  16. Your springs are now replaced and ready to use.

3. Torsion Spring Replacement

  1. Use a winding bar inside the higher tube of the torsion cone to loosen the screws holding the spring with a wrench. When the screws are loose, bring the winding bar down till it rests against the door.
  2. Insert a second winding bar inside the winding cone of the higher tube and slowly remove the resting bar while letting down the second winding bar. You might have to do anywhere between 30 – 34 turns based on door height. Repeat the same for the other spring.
  3. Loosen the bolts and bearings that hold the spring together. Loosen the drum cable on either side to let the cable slide out. Remove the bar from the bracket and lower it to let the drum and springs slide out. Repeat on the other side.
  4. Install the new springs by sliding inside the bar. Slide the cable drum and insert the bar into the bracket. Complete the installation in the center to re-join the springs with the plastic bearing. Reinsert the cable inside the cable drum and wind towards you.
  5. Move the drum towards the side towards the bracket and secure with screws. Use a vice-grip to clamp the bar against the ceiling to stop the bar from spinning. Repeat on the other spring.
  6. Repeat step 2, but this time to tighten the springs. Make sure the spring is fully wound. Tighten the screws to secure the springs in place.
  7. While the lower winding bar is still inside, place the higher winding bar and hold tightly. Slowly remove the lower bar and then bring down the higher bar to check if the spring and cables are in place. Remove the vice-grip and open the door from the middle to check the balance. Loosen the springs by a quarter turn if it is not completely balanced to finish the installation.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Siggers is a full-time content marketing specialist and a passionate writer who loves to write about creating an aesthetic and ambient living environment for everyone. She focuses on sharing ideas and techniques learned from his experience in a concise manner so that it can be used by everyone to make their surroundings beautiful to live in. Currently, She shares great tips on Garage Door Repair

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