Garages and Carports - Replacing garage door springs
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Godzilla
10-10-09, 08:47 AM
Recently my garage door opener died after the chain popped off. I attempted to put the chain back on but couldnt so I got a pro over and once he got the chain on and ran it, it popped off. (I also have this in another post if anyone has the same issue)The opener is around 12-15 years old. Bottom line, its time for a new one. However there is a problem. The extension springs on each side of the door above the tracks are worn. According to the pro the springs are stretched to their max and cant be adjusted anymore due to the condition. They are about 6 years old. My door is a older heavy wooden door, I believe a 360 lb. so, due to the weight, parts wear more quickly.
What I am hearing is that it doesnt make any sense to invest the money in a new motor unless you replace the springs. You will just burn out the motor alot quicker since the springs are so worn and arent lifting the door properly anymore.
This makes sense to me. Would you agree? Also, how difficult is it to replace the springs? Is it simply replacing the old with the new or is it more? The pro had mentioned that my current cables would need to replaced if I replace the springs because it is an older type cable that wouldnt work with the new springs. Is this guy making sense?
Some help please :D
What I am hearing is that it doesnt make any sense to invest the money in a new motor unless you replace the springs. You will just burn out the motor alot quicker since the springs are so worn and arent lifting the door properly anymore.
This makes sense to me. Would you agree? Also, how difficult is it to replace the springs? Is it simply replacing the old with the new or is it more? The pro had mentioned that my current cables would need to replaced if I replace the springs because it is an older type cable that wouldnt work with the new springs. Is this guy making sense?
Some help please :D
goldstar
10-10-09, 03:18 PM
The extension springs should be sized to the weight of the door. If the door is hard to open or basically closes by itself when operated by hand, the springs are too weak. The door should stay at about any point you move it to if it is perfectly balanced.
The cables are probably as old as the door and have been stressed to the max. For that reason alone, I would replace them.
The sudden release of tension by a broken spring or cable is not pretty. It can put some nasty gashes in the garage walls or a car, and a human in the "line of fire" may be fatally injured.
The cables are probably as old as the door and have been stressed to the max. For that reason alone, I would replace them.
The sudden release of tension by a broken spring or cable is not pretty. It can put some nasty gashes in the garage walls or a car, and a human in the "line of fire" may be fatally injured.
Gunguy45
10-10-09, 03:23 PM
Uhhhh I answered pretty much this same post 5 days ago...why not just ask if anyone else had an opinion? Or add details.... Sometimes its so busy that people miss newer stuff......
Ok...guess I just felt slighted...lol
Ok...guess I just felt slighted...lol
Donald_
10-12-09, 08:14 AM
I wouldn't let that "pro" back in my yard let alone my garage. Bad door springs do not make the chain "pop off". A bad bearing in the Gear and Sprocket Assembly will cause the chain to come off. That part usually goes bad lifting a door with bad springs. Extension springs are not that hard to replace and if you took one of them to the hardware store they would sell you new ones. Prop the door open before removing the springs.