Over time, the springs that help lift and balance your garage door can begin to weaken. This causes doors to sag, not fully open, or drop down when disengaged from the opener. Rather than immediately replacing the springs, it’s worth trying a spring adjustment first to see if it solves the problem. Shortening the springs restores some of their lost lifting power and may avoid costly repairs.
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How Your Garage Door Springs Work
Usually, there are two extension springs – one on each side of the door above the opener rail. These coils of steel wire or tape help counterbalance the weight of the door for easy operation. As the door opens, the springs stretch. When closing, they relax their grip to allow slow, controlled lowering instead of dropping suddenly. Over 10-15 years, the metal working this way fatigues and the springs inevitably lengthen.
Signs It’s Time for a Shortening
Apart from the door failing to fully rise on its own or requiring extra muscle, other clues are sagging across the panels while shut or too much effort needed to engage the handle and pulley mechanism. The springs may also be noticeably looser or several coils touching where they were previously elongated. Shortening brings back proper tension and counterbalancing capabilities lost through age and use.
Preparing for the Adjustment
Wear eye protection for safety and use spring winder bars to secure the coils by looping one end through then wrapping around and back. This allows adjustment tension to be applied via the other bar end without the spring unwinding violently if released. Mark the cable precisely where the winding attaches as a guide for later reassembly. Have the right tools and take your time working methodically.
Lengthen or Shortening the Springs
To take up slack, turn the winding in the appropriate direction using a socket wrench or bar to drive the cable through its loops. Gradually wind – just 1/4 turn increments at a time testing the door balance after each adjustment. Go slowly to prevent overwinding and ensure restoring full rising power without causing binding or other issues. Lengthening also uses the winding but in reverse.
Setting the Balance
After shortening or adding coils back, test run the door a few times to ensure even balance across its travel. Raise and lower fully without needing to lift underneath. It should maintain height and close under control without requiring adjustment. Reattach cables at marks made earlier and safety tabs to complete the process.
With some adjustments rather than a full spring replacement, you may save big on those Garage Door Spring Repair in Petersburg bills and restore dependable function to your lifting mechanism. Proper winding alignment and tensioning technique is key to success.
Nature enthusiast and outdoorsy soul, Scott Procter’s blog is an invitation to explore the natural world. Join him in his quest to reconnect with the great outdoors and embrace a life in harmony with nature.
