The torsion springs that help lift your heavy garage door work hard every time it opens and closes. Over thousands of cycles, springs can start to show their age through noise or imbalance. Left unaddressed, spring issues can escalate into safety hazards. But many spring problems have DIY solutions. Let’s explore how to identify and correct common spring issues.
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Noisy Springs
Gradually over time, the metal cables inside torsion springs may start to vibrate and cause noise as the door moves. This can indicate wear in the winding hubs or cones, requiring lubrication or replacement. Locate the source of noise and observe moving parts for friction or rubbing. Lubricate hubs and cables with garage door lubricant spray. Replacement may be needed if worn parts can’t be silenced.
Unbalanced Door
If your door is harder to open or close from one side, the extension springs may be unevenly wound. Or one spring could have weakened coils. The imbalance causes extra stress on other hardware and opener. Re-adjust spring tension on each side as needed to level out the lift balance. Have springs inspected by Garage Door Spring Repair in Yorktown if adjustments don’t correct the issue.
Broken Cables
The winding cables connect each spring to the wall brackets and door. If one is stretched, kinked or snapped, it’s a safety hazard. New balance and lift will be compromised. Replace cables immediately before further spring use. Experienced help may be needed for this task.
Broken Coils
Individual coils that have fatigued and broken can damage other coils. The spring may catastrophically fail under heavy cycles. Inspect coils closely for cracks or separations. Entire spring replacement is advised if coil damage is found. Leave this to the professionals.
Maintenance and Repairs
Clean and lubricate springs yearly to prevent wear from corrosion and friction. Check cables and springs annually for wear through inspection hatches. Over time signs of stress, like cracking, bulging or misshaping will appear. A pro can judge if springs are still safe or ready for preventative replacement or re-tensioning. Never try to res-pring a door yourself – leave adjustments to qualified professionals.
Know Your Limits
While noises may sometimes be fixed through lubrication, structural spring issues indicate replacement should be handled by experts like Garage Door Spring Repair in Yorktown. They have the proper tools, lift assist equipment and technical knowledge to safely service springs under high tension. Your safety is most important, so call the pros anytime you have concerns over springs.
