Broken Garage Door Spring Repair
Torsion and extension springs carry the weight of the door. When one breaks, the door becomes extremely heavy and unsafe to operate by hand.
Garage door springs do the lifting. The opener only guides the door; the springs counterbalance its weight so the system moves smoothly. A typical residential door weighs well over a hundred pounds, and heavier insulated or double doors weigh considerably more. When a spring breaks, that entire weight transfers to the opener, the cables and anyone trying to lift the door.
Torsion springs mount on a shaft above the door opening and wind under tension. Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks and stretch as the door closes. Both are wear items rated in cycles, and both store enough energy to cause serious injury if handled without the correct tools and technique.
Spring service includes measuring the door and confirming the correct spring specification, replacing worn components in pairs where appropriate, re-winding to the correct tension, and re-testing door balance so the opener is not left carrying load it was never designed to lift.
Common signs
- A loud bang from the garage, followed by a door that will not open
- A visible gap or separation in the coiled spring above the door
- The door lifts a few inches and stops or feels extremely heavy
- The opener strains, hums or reverses immediately
- The door slams down instead of lowering under control
- Cables have gone slack or come off the drums
Common causes
- Cycle fatigue — every open and close uses part of the spring's rated life
- Corrosion and moisture pitting the spring wire
- Undersized springs for the door's actual weight
- Added door weight, such as insulation or a heavier panel
- Lack of lubrication increasing internal friction
- Temperature swings adding stress to already-fatigued metal
Our inspection
- Confirm spring type, wire size, inside diameter and length
- Weigh or calculate the door to verify correct spring rating
- Inspect the shaft, bearings, drums and end brackets
- Check cable condition and drum seating
- Verify opener force settings after the repair
- Balance test the door at multiple heights
The process
- Secure the door and release stored tension safely
- Remove the failed spring and inspect related hardware
- Install correctly specified replacement springs
- Wind to the manufacturer-appropriate tension
- Re-seat and tension the lift cables
- Balance test, then re-check opener force and reversal
Risks of delaying service
- A door with a broken spring can drop without warning
- Running the opener with a broken spring can damage the gear assembly
- Uneven tension pulls the door out of square and wears the tracks
- Cables can jump the drums, leading to an off-track door
Related components
- Torsion springs
- Extension springs
- Torsion shaft and bearings
- Cable drums
- Lift cables
- Center and end bearing plates
Where this service applies
Single and double residential doors, and insulated and non-insulated sectional doors using torsion assemblies.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
- This is not a do-it-yourself repair. Torsion and extension springs store a large amount of energy and require specific winding bars, measurements and technique. Spring work should be handled by a trained professional.
- Should both springs be replaced at once?
- On a two-spring system, both springs have accumulated similar cycles. Replacing them together is commonly recommended so the door stays balanced and the second spring does not fail shortly after the first.
- Can I still use the door with a broken spring?
- No. The door is extremely heavy without spring counterbalance, and forcing the opener to lift it can damage the opener and the door.