Garage Door ?

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Ok, one of the springs just broke on my garage door and I thought a bomb had went off.
Questions is, how is the best and easiest way to put one on it now with it being in the down position?
9X7 all wood door with no windows.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Garage Door ?

Uhhhh....manually raise it up til it lock in place in the up position?

 

[blouderback]

Re: Garage Door ?

It DEFINTELY needs to be in the UP position. Get a friend or 2 to help you get the door up, then prop it open with a 2x4.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Garage Door ?

Ok, one of the springs just broke on my garage door and I thought a bomb had went off.
Questions is, how is the best and easiest way to put one on it now with it being in the down position?
9X7 all wood door with no windows.

Easiest way is to use the phone

Spring is installed with the door down then properly tensioned with 2 bars, PITA to do.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Garage Door ?

Yea, ever time I go to raise it, it wants to kick to the side with the spring still on it and binds up.
JCF350, explain a little more please.

 

[gss036]

Re: Garage Door ?

I take you have the overhead door type with the springs wrapped around the steel pipe that runs from side to side???? The best way is call a service man and have them replace "both" springs, specify the heavy commercial type and you will never have to replace it again unless you live in the house for a 110 years. It is kind of dangerous operation and a lot of people end up breaking a wrist or jaw while try to wind the spring.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Garage Door ?

Yes, Spinner. Call a serviceman. Most places won't even sell the springs to private individuals because they're so dangerous in the wrong hands. Have him replace the other spring at the same time.

 

[burroak]

Re: Garage Door ?

There are two types of spring configurations. Extension ( the type that runs parallel to the horizontal tracks) and the torsion type( the spring is wrapped around torsion rod attached to small drums at the end).

The extension type must be replaced while the door is up and the torsion type must be replaced when the door is locked in the down position. The former is not a big deal but the latter is literally a killer. However, Dalton has made that a safer proposition with the torsion adjustments being made through a reduction gear.

Wherever you get the replacement spring should be able to provide instructions. An added suggestion, if it is an extension type of spring run a woven wire cable through the center of the spring length wise and secure it to the header and the rail support at the end of the horizontal run. If and when it breaks again the pieces will be contained on that wire and not swing freely to cause mayhem to you or your property.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Garage Door ?

Yes, it's the extension type springs.
Don't know how to get the door up though.
Like I said, when you go to lift it, it goes to the side with remaining spring and jams against the door frame.

 

[burroak]

Re: Garage Door ?

Yes, it's the extension type springs.
Don't know how to get the door up though.
Like I said, when you go to lift it, it goes to the side with remaining spring and jams against the door frame.

It will take two men to do it. Put your buddy on the side without the spring. The higher you get the door, the less it will want to **** sideways. Use a large Phillips screwdriver and the holes in the rails to hold the door when you need to rest or get a different grip. When you get the door up off the floor, jam the screwdrivers into corresponding holes in the two rails. Reposition yourselves toward the springless side and lift. Keep moving your positions until the door is going up evenly.

 

[itstippy]

Re: Garage Door ?

Watch the cable on the broken-spring side as you raise the door. It is loose (obviously) and will do its best to bind in the pulleys, tangle in the mounts, and generally cause problems. PITA if it gets really jammed with the door half way up. It will try really hard to do this to you.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Garage Door ?

Lester, I got the same type you got. My door is wood but 16' wide. It was a pain to do by myself,,,,,but I did it. I hooked up my come-along (winch) where the broken spring would be or is. Then I jacked it up to a point of it getting a bit sideways and then I would have to lift the door up on the spring side. I used a 2by to prop under the door as it went up. Then repeated the process until the door is almost up. Then it is easy to poosh on up by hand. After it was up, I put visegrips (c-clamps work well also) on the channel of both sides to keep the door from possibly coming back down. A 2by works as a double safety also.

Redo the cable and spring just like the other side. Plus while your at it, you should do both sides. Springs do get brittle with lots of use, especially by the hook or eye end. Good luck,,,,,I know you can do it!

 

[JCF350]

Re: Garage Door ?

Yea, ever time I go to raise it, it wants to kick to the side with the spring still on it and binds up.
JCF350, explain a little more please.

Forgot about the extension spring type, I was thinking of the torsion style.

Seems you already have your answers

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Garage Door ?

Anyone ever had to call a serviceman for a garage door that could fill him in somewhat on a price for that? In case he wants to go that route if it's cheap enough.
\
sometimes doing it yourself just isn't worth the hassle, you know?

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Garage Door ?

I replaced my (Torsion style) spring last year and survived! Did it by myself too. The door was friggin heavy to get up though.
I used this site as a great reference:
http://www.truetex.com/garage.htm
I took the guy's advice there about converting to a bigger spring that will last forever. The builders are saving a few $ per house and the springs therefore last about 20 years. a shame.
Great pics at that site like this:

I found the secret to purchasing the parts is to be knowledgeable. When I phoned, I knew the size and details and I got everything for wholesale, around $85 I think it was.....

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Garage Door ?

Note, the springs used to loft a large door are larger than the springs used to loft a small door(duh). Their strength is denoted by color code. Before going for new springs, check the color painted on your spring, i.e red, blue, green, yellow, etc.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Garage Door ?

Note, the springs used to loft a large door are larger than the springs used to loft a small door(duh). Their strength is denoted by color code. Before going for new springs, check the color painted on your spring, i.e red, blue, green, yellow, etc.

Are we talking torsion bar springs?
If so, it's NA for me as I have the 2 springs, one on either side of the door.
Already have the spring.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Garage Door ?

i have friend that does this for a living..

$200 bucks to unjam a door - he is paid this up front before he starts.

That is the only time he charges up front and a flat fee.

If the door is down or up - no problem no extra fee, but if you call him and the door is jammed $$$

Like anything else it is about time and money.

However if you can get the parts at wholesale you can get him to do the labor instead.

However, he will not do mismatched parts, he will not argue with people he will just walk away. He guarantees his labor and he wont use the wrong materials and provide a guarantee

he has plenty of work but it is up and down, so when he is busy he will not do extra work but when it is slow he will.

also

You need to check everything else, basically things wear out over time and other things may need replacing...

tomatolord.

 

[Windykid]

Re: Garage Door ?

You can always clamp the spring side of the door, while you even it up a little at a time. I like the come along idea or a ratchet strap to un jam it. Good luck and be carefull. Probably better to have an extra hand though.