How To Adjust The Garage Door Spring?

Garage door installation plays an essential role in the safety and protection of your property, your vehicle and your home. However, despite their robustness and reliability, they require special maintenance. One of the common problems encountered is loose springs , which can lead to malfunctions and premature wear.

Therefore, understanding how to address this issue becomes crucial to ensure safe operation. Whether you are an experienced DIYer or have metalwork and locksmith skills , this article is for you! Discover the steps needed to adjust garage door springs reliably!

How does a garage door spring work?

Springs play a crucial role in the operation of garage doors , especially for sectional and up-and-over doors. There are two types of garage door springs , each playing a specific role:

Garage door tension spring

This type of spring for overhead garage door is used to hold a heavy load by extending, then it returns to its original shape, making it easier to open and close. They are located on the side of the overhead garage door providing support for the operation of the motor and ensuring the balance of the door.

Extension springs are long springs with two loops at their ends which allow them to be gripped, hooked onto the door system and stretched.

Garage door torsion spring

Torsion springs are placed around the motor shaft to counterbalance the weight of the door and help it lift. This sectional garage door spring stores potential energy by twisting, and releases it to help the door close smoothly. Typically, they are attached to a shaft above the door and are tensioned a certain number of turns to accommodate the weight of the door.

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How to identify that the garage door spring is defective?

To ensure proper door operation and avoid more serious problems, it is essential to determine if a garage door spring is faulty. Here are some signs that this part is failing:

Signs of fatigue

Garage door springs can weaken or break, especially if they are used frequently. They can wear out over time since they have a lifespan of approximately 10,000 opening and closing cycles, or 6 to 7 years. Defective or worn springs may show signs of fatigue, such as cracks or deformation.

Difficulty opening and closing

Springs keep your garage door balanced and make it easier to open and close. A garage door that opens slowly could be due to a problem with the spring.

Abnormal noises

Cracking or squeaking noises when opening the door may indicate a problem with the spring.

Inconsistent closure

When a garage door opens but does not close or swings inward when closing, this could be a sign that the extension spring is faulty.

Voltage problem

If the spring tension is too low or too high, this may indicate a dangerous problem. To ensure optimal operation and prevent incidents, the tension of garage door springs must be checked regularly.

What are the steps for adjusting the garage door spring?

Garage door spring adjustment is important to ensure optimal operation and avoid safety issues.

Adjusting Torsion Springs

The sectional garage door torsion spring can be adjusted by following these steps:

Close the door as far as it will go and place a C-clamp on the track to prevent sudden opening.
Identify the point where the garage door torsion spring ends, indicating the position of the winding cone.
Insert a steel bar or winding cone into the bottom hole to loosen the cone screws.
Add tension by rolling the come up if the door closes quickly, and down if it closes slowly.
Leave the bar in the hole and apply an upward force to the other bar.
Lock the spring in its new position by tightening the loosened screws, and repeat the process on the other side for the side springs.

Adjusting the tension springs

Adjusting extension springs is different from adjusting tension springs. Here are the simple steps to adjust an overhead garage door spring :

Release the pressure from the springs by manually or electrically opening the door as far as possible.
Prevent any risk of falling by using a C-clamp under the bottom roller to hold the door in position.
Release the hook to tighten the tilting garage door spring and adjust the tension.
Decrease the tension if the door does not close firmly. Increase the tension if it opens or closes too easily.
Increase safety by shortening the cables by tightening the knot or reduce tension by lengthening them by weakening the knot.
Make sure the door is operating properly, then lubricate the springs for smooth movement.

What is the process for changing a garage door spring?

When a garage door spring reaches its lifespan or is completely worn out, it is time to consider replacing it to ensure safe operation of your device. Here are the steps to follow to change garage door spring :

For a sectional door

Start by closing the garage door completely and relaxing the springs as much as possible. Remove the spring axle and unscrew the winding cone.

Remove the used spring and proceed to assemble the sectional garage door spring . Assemble the sectional door spring axle and adjust the tension.

For a tilting door

For this type of door, the process is simple, just adjust the spring tension to fix the opening and closing problem.

Adjusting or changing a garage door spring can be a delicate and potentially dangerous task due to the significant tension placed on the springs.

To ensure the safety and reliability of this operation, it is necessary to call on experienced professionals.

RMM provides you with a qualified team who are ready to intervene to adjust or replace the springs and carry out the garage door repair , thus ensuring optimal and secure operation.