Replacing your garage door is not something that an amateur should do.
Torsion springs are the part that is responsible for lifting your garage door.
It winds and unwinds to open and shut that door.
As such, this puts a lot of tension on the spring.
So, if a garage door torsion spring repair is not done correctly, it could result in fatal injuries or worse–death.
That is why this kind of repair job should be left to professionals.
If you live in Fresno, call us, Joaquin Garage Doors, immediately.
We specialize in torsion springs installation and replacement.
Don’t worry too much about the cost, we would never give you more than necessary.
We only want what’s best for you.
And doing this on your own would not be in your best interest.
Leave it to the experts and stay safe.
However, if you are an expert and are just looking for a refresher, read ahead!
These instructions are for garage doors that have two torsion springs.
Double Torsion Spring Garage Door Repair
If your garage door has one broken spring, both must be replaced.
When purchasing torsion springs be sure to have the same specifications as your broken spring.
Step 1: Disengage the opener.
Unplug the cord of your garage door opener to prevent it from accidentally opening.
Then pull the red cord to disengage completely.
For extra precaution, put a vise grip on your tracks in case it gets pulled up later when you’re winding the spring.
Step 2: Unwind the unbroken spring.
Warning: Do not use a screwdriver as an alternative! Always keep a winding bar on one of the winding cones! Always hold the bar firmly!
Working on a wound-up torsion spring is a disaster waiting to happen.
So, pick up your socket wrench or adjustable wrench and your steel rods.
Make sure that your steel rods or winding bars fit snugly to get a good grip especially with the tension that you’re going to be dealing with.
Never unscrew the set screws without inserting the winding bar first.
So, insert your winding bar into the winding cone.
Make sure that you have a good grip on that.
You can test the force that you’ll be dealing with by pushing up the winding bar then bring it back down.
While firmly holding the bar, unfasten the set screws, very slowly.
After loosening it completely, slowly lower the bar and let it rest on your garage door.
Then, insert the second bar, raise it, pull out the first, then lower the second bar slowly.
Repeat the process until you have unwound the torsion springs completely.
Do this on both springs.
Step 3: Unloosen bolts on the center.
Use your wrench or a power tool socket wrench and undo the center bolts to detach the springs from the spring bracket.
Pull the springs out and move them towards the cable drums.
There might be enlarged portions on the shaft, we recommend using a metal file but if you don’t have one then use a hammer instead.
Using the metal file, file away the swollen parts.
Step 4: Loosen the cable drums.
Loosen the bolts of the cable drum.
Remove the cable from the drum then slide it away from the bearing plate.
Do this on the other side too.
Step 5: Remove the springs.
In this step, you can now slide the shaft side to side.
To remove the springs, do the following steps one at a time.
Slide the shaft away from the bearing plate.
Then slide the drum out followed by the spring.
Be sure to put the old spring away from your work area to avoid accidents.
Step 6: Slide in the new springs
The cone with the bigger hole must go first.
Take note of the color on the winding cone.
If red, it means right-wound.
And the black color signifies left-wound.
After that, slide the cable drums back and put the shaft into the end bearing plate.
Step 7: Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to the other end
Step 8: Mount the springs to the center.
After sliding in the new springs, make sure that the shaft is properly centered.
Pick up your original bolts and use them to fasten the spring into the center spring bracket.
Make sure that the bolts are snug.
Step 9: Assemble the cable drum.
Slide in the cables in the slots, then turn the drum around until it’s tight.
Push it over against the bearing plate, then tighten the set screws until you hit the shaft.
Put a vise grip on the shaft to prevent it from moving while you work on the other side.
Ensure that the top of the vise grip is tight against the garage header.
Step 10: Wind the springs
Mark the shaft just beyond the winding cone to see if you are winding the spring correctly.
If you wound the spring correctly, it will increase in length.
If incorrect, it will not move from the mark and will come loose after a few turns.
Take your winding bar and start turning it.
Again, be sure that the winding bar fits snugly and will not fall off the cone.
Tape it with electrical tape if necessary.
Insert the first winding bar to the cone and turn it up–this counts as a quarter turn.
Then insert the second bar to the next cone below, press it against the door then push it up again.
For a 7-foot door, you have to do quarter turns 30 or 31 times.
After you complete the turns, remove the upper winding bar and leave the lower bar on the cone and against the door.
Step 11: Tighten the set screws.
Fasten the set screws until you hit the shaft.
Make sure that their snug before removing the winding bar.
To remove the winding bar, insert a second bar above and turn the spring up a little.
Then, pull out the lower bar slowly while the first bar is in the cone.
Slowly, turn down the bar and pull it out once the torsion spring stays in place.
Step 12: Do steps 10 and 11 to the other spring.
Step 13: Test the spring.
Take off the vise grip that you put on the track in step 1.
Then manually lift the garage door and test the balance.
Lift the garage door halfway and see if it stays there.
If it moves up, that means the torsion springs have turned more than necessary and have to be unwound by one or two-quarter turns.
If it moves down, that means you have to add one or two more turns to the springs.
Well Done!
Congratulations on completing a garage door torsion spring repair successfully!
If you have any questions, call us at Joaquin Garage Doors for more information.
We are open 24/7 and will welcome your call anytime!
If you live around Fresno, contact us for any garage door needs.
For a long-lasting garage door, call us now!
