A garage door spring is one of the most important elements of your garage door and it is the one that helps you in opening and closing the door. There is high-tension steel in the springs, so it only usually last a limited time period. As the time passes, the effectiveness of the spring will decrease and you will need to get it replaced. Depending on the usage of the garage door, the replacement garage door springs cost may vary. You can easily replace the door springs, but the most important part is that you that need to buy high quality parts. So, in this article, let’s learn about replacement garage door springs and things needed to be considered during the process.
Understanding garage door springs:
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The garage door springs balance the weight of the door and they play the main role in opening and closing of the door. This serves the same purpose of counter weights, which have been used to balance the door in past centuries and even today. For example, if the garage door weighs around 200 pounds, then we need the exact 200 pounds of spring force to pull the door. This activity can be fulfilled only by the stretch string or torque special parts for balancing the door. But when it comes to replacement garage door springs, it involves high risk because of the wound torsion spring or the stretch in the extended extension springs.
Also, garage doors get repairs often and we have to replace the garage door parts that are tied into the spring system. We have to understand the forces and how they work, as many accidents, injuries and deaths occurred in the usage of garage door springs. Let’s check the brief explanation about garage door springs.
Types of extension springs:
Normally, the garage door works by means of pulleys, cables, and springs. The types of extension in garage door springs are of two types;
If the garage door has extension springs
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In this type, two sets of pulleys and two sets of cables will be attached. One end of the first cable is anchored to the bottom of the door, which runs over the pulley attached to walls around the moveable pulley, which is attached to the end of the spring and back connecting to the anchored bracket to secure the door track. Once the door closes, the pulleys and cables stretch out the string which creates tension when we open it. Also, the second cable is anchored with track brackets on each end through the middle of the string.
If your garage door has torsion springs
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In this type of garage door, each spring is firmly connected to a center plate which is usually attached to the garage walls and the other end will be attached to the bracket which will be in the bottom corner of the door. A torsion bar runs through the center of each spring and holds the lift cable which runs to the other end of the corner door. The spring is firmly connected with the torsion bar by means of a winding cone. The cables in the garage spring door make the winding drum and torsion bar rotate and twist the spring into a loaded torsion state. And the spring releases when the door is next opened.
Replacement garage door springs:
It is essential to understand how your door and springs operate. As most parts will be disconnected and will be reattached when there are replacements garage door springs. The replacement falls under two categories;
Replace extension-type garage door springs
- First, we have to buy a pair of new springs that matches the specification of the old spring to replace the extension-type garage door springs
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- Then, we have to secure C-clamps to both garage door tracks to prevent any accidents, when we are working.
- Thirdly, the important step to follow is unbolting the first extension from the bracket, which holds the back of the door track and disconnecting the lift cable and pulley from the end of the spring
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- Once the above steps are followed, we have to disconnect the safe cable and attach the new safety cable through the spring and then attach the lift cable
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- Finally, apply some door spray lubricant to the springs and test the operations. However, some adjustments have to be made for the door opener, as the new springs will be more powerful compared to the old ones
Replace torsion-type garage door springs
- For replacement of torsion type garage door spring, as a first step, we have to lock the garage door with C-clamps and disconnect the door opener
- Secondly, we have to unload the springs which will take a number of downward one-quarter revolutions to release the spring’s tension. Make sure to grip tightly as the setscrews are loosening and resulting in releasing a notable amount of pressure
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- Then, we have to disconnect the torsion springs from the center and then detach the lift cables from the door brackets
- After these steps, we have to attach new springs followed by reattaching the lift cables.
- Then load the springs by twisting the winding cone and torsion spring, which might be a challenging step. Once, loaded with anchor, the springs tighten the screws and secure the torsion bar
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- Finally, apply a garage lubricant spray to the springs and remove all the clamps and operate the door several times to check the operation. If the door does not fully open on its own or does not close all the way, then the spring may require further winding.
Bottom Line:
When it comes to the replacement garage door springs, the job can be easily done by us, as it requires frequent replacing. The installation process is pretty straightforward, but it involves a lot of steps, so just make sure you are doing it properly. If you have any other issues with the door springs other than a replacement, then you can call a professional.
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