Garage Door Springs: Safety Warning
By Service Rank USA Team
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING
NEVER attempt to adjust or remove garage door springs, cables, or bottom brackets yourself unless you have specific training and tools. Serious injury or death can occur.
Your garage door is likely the heaviest moving object in your home. The opener motor doesn't actually lift this weight; the springs do. These springs are wound tightly to counterbalance the door's 300+ pounds. When they break, they release that energy violently.
Torsion vs. Extension Springs
Torsion Springs: Mounted on a metal tube above the door opening. These are the modern standard and generally safer because the tube contains the spring if it snaps. However, winding them requires steel winding bars and nerve.
Extension Springs: Mounted along the sides of the upper tracks. These stretch and contract. If you have these, ensure you have "Safety Cables" installed. A safety cable runs through the middle of the spring so that if it snaps, it doesn't fly around the garage like a deadly whip.
Signs of Failing Springs
- The Gap: The most obvious sign of a broken torsion spring is a visible 2-inch gap in the coil.
- Heavy Door: If you pull the emergency release cord and try to lift the door manually, and it feels incredibly heavy, your springs are shot. A balanced door should lift easily with one hand.
- Crooked Door: If one extension spring breaks, the door will lift unevenly and jam in the tracks.
Can I replace them myself?
Technically, yes, you can buy springs online. But is it worth saving $150 to risk a hospital visit? Professional technicians do this daily. They have the right winding bars and the experience to know exactly how many turns to apply for your door's specific weight.