Garage Door Torsion Spring Snapped! Help!!

[on-ramp]

The giant torsion spring across the top of my garage door just snapped into 2 pieces.

Is this something I can replace or do I need to hire a pro? It's a 2 car garage but it's one door, 2 cars wide. I can't open the garage door now because it's too heavy and my car is trapped.

Thanks for your help!

[Rick V]

Call a pro. that thing is under alot of pressure. It ain't worth the injury to save a few bucks.
Does your door have just 1 spring or is it 2. If you have the 2 spring setup, you can open the door by picking up on the side that is broken. The good spring will take care of the other side.

[the]

You can open the garage, you just have to pull the cord that disconnects the coupling between the driver and the door, and lift the door manually.

You could replace the spring, but it can be a bit dangerous, because you are dealing with torquing up a large, powerful spring. You also need the tools to do it, too, they are generally two long bars that screw into the tensioning device.

And you'd need to get the right part, and figure out how much tension to put on the new spring.

[Rot 911]

This is not a DIY project as serious injury can result if you do it wrong.

[Stuart993]

Call the local garage door dealer.
This has happened twice to me over the last 3 years (2 doors).
Should cost around $80 for new spring installation, takes around 30 minutes.

[TerryBPP]

Mine did the same thing a few months ago. For $125 the guy came out replaced the spring and sspent a hour adjusting the door opener to be quieter. Now is silent as a kitten. We'll worth the $ and I am told a DIY'er can spend up to 3 hrs messing with the spring.

[the]

Jacking up a car, working on it on jackstands, working with high voltage ignition systems, working on brakes, etc. etc. also can result in serious injuries if done wrong.

But I agree, it's no fun, the cost isn't excessive, there's a lot of wasted time trying to source the right parts and tools, and it's easier to call and have it done (although I've DIY'd myself in the past and it wasn't a big deal, IMO).

[on-ramp]

[notfarnow]

I've DIY'd a garage spring. I would have just paid someone to do it, but my neighbor offered to show me how. No complicated, but not fun. I spend half a day frigging around with it, but the whole garage door needed quite a bit of work and adjusment.

I was actually in the garage when mine broke... yikes what a racket!

[on-ramp]

Hmmm... maybe I should read the Warning label..

[Zeke]

I just installed a sectional door. Never did one before. I wound up the spring no problem. I wound it up half way or so, then lifted the door and wound it some more (less tension) working between the door and the header.

However, I do agree that some things are best left to a pro, like this and plumbing. That whole rod has to come down to get a spring on it. If you have two springs (which you should) left and right of center, use two new ones.

If you decide to do this yourself, you need at least two 1/2 inch bars of steel round stock to operate the spring tensioner. Just be logical and careful. I'd rather do one of these again than replace those damn coil springs on an overhead door (single door).

[turbo6bar]

If you're a real DIY-type, this isn't very hard. I've done it several times, and 2 guys can do this in less than an hour on site.

[the]

Yeah, that's a typical 2 spring setup like my old one was.

It really isn't that hard, if you are "real DIY-type" like turbo says.

By "real DIY-type" I mean someone who actually enjoys projects like this, learning about how it works, figuring out how to source the parts and the tools, etc. You know, kinda nuts, viewing this as an opportunity.

Compared to the crazy stuff a lot of us do on our cars, this is a relatively simple task with a relatively (relative to serious automotive DIY) average danger.

But if your not nuts like that, the cost of having someone come out really isn't very high.

[teenerted1]

helped my dad do a door like milt describes. dont remember feeling in danger about loading up the spring. that was 7-8yrs ago. but the directions were pretty clear about the procedure.

not sure i would try on an installed door though, if i didnt have the original directions. is your electric opener to wimpy?

[on-ramp]

Originally posted by teenerted1


not sure i would try on an installed door though, if i didnt have the original directions. is your electric opener to wimpy?

yeah, the door opener now raises the door about a foot from the ground and stops there. Also, lifting the door on the side of the broken spring does nothing. Door is too heavy...or I'm too wimpy

Anyway, thank guys,. I think I will call someone . Not worth the headaches if it's only 100 bucks or so.

[the]

Originally posted by on-ramp
yeah, the door opener now raises the door about a foot from the ground and stops there. Also, lifting the door on the side of the broken spring does nothing. Door is too heavy...or I'm too wimpy

The door isn't too heavy, and you're not too wimpy. The reason you can't lift it is because your not disconnecting it from the drive mechanism like I said above.

To disconnect, pull on that red plastic handle that is on the end of that red rope in your picture.

If you disconnect it, you'll *very* easily be able to lift it.

[on-ramp]

http://garagedoor.org/residential/torsion-spring-replacement.cgi

wow. I found this one-line... there are only 91 Steps to the procedure!


Now I'm getting inspired!

[on-ramp]

Originally posted by the
The door isn't too heavy, and you're not too wimpy. The reason you can't lift it is because your not disconnecting it from the drive mechanism like I said above.

To disconnect, pull on that red plastic handle that is on the end of that red rope in your picture.

If you disconnect it, you'll *very* easily be able to lift it.

The latch is disengaged from the driving mechanism.. Door is too heavy to lift.

[the]

OK, then you ARE too wimpy.

[on-ramp]

Originally posted by the
OK, then you ARE too wimpy.

the door just appears to be JAMMED.