Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
Last weekend I was in my garage and happend to notice that a wire was hanging down from the door track. This is a double bay door (18ft) wood and heavy. It has two springs to help lift it. They are much bigger than standard door springs, much thicker wire and about 4" diameter. When I looked at the wire hanging down it was the wire that the spring pulls on. It had frayed and unraveled for 2 feet. All that was left holding the cable together was two strands of wire! Two little strands were straining against that monster spring. I carefully and quietly walked over to the door opener and opened the door to relax the spring. If that cable broke, I can't imagine the damage those springs would have done. I have been in my Dad's garage when standard springs broke and the impact bent the angle iron framework and imbedded a 2" end piece of the spring in the back wall of the garage.<br /><br />So I bought new cables and installed on both sides, it was a piece of cake, took all of 20 minutes. I realize now that those cables stretch and the springs were sagging when the door was open, so I adjusted the cables properly and now the door opens without straining the motor and it openes quicker. Also took the time to lube up the bearings on the cable pulley wheels and door track wheel bearings. Nice and smooth and quiet now.<br /><br />But those darn big springs still bother me. If one should break, it could be lethel. This weekend I'll pick up and add the safty wire because this house was built before that was mandatory by code and I think it could really use them.<br /><br />If you have door springs and cables on your door, might want to check to see if the cable is starting to break and do some maint. Could save a lot of trouble over fixing it after it breaks.<br /><br />Edit:<br />BTW - Proper maint is to lube the track wheel bearings, NOT the track. The track and wheels should be dry and grease free. I like to use a little "chain & cable" lube in a spray can to oil up the bearings in the steel wheels. Also a drop or two of oil on the axle shaft so it rotates freely in its hinge mount doesn't hurt. Also a good time to check all the nuts that hold the hinges to the door, a quick tightening with the door closed helps prevent noises when opening and closeing the door.
