Garage doors can have many problems that can be easily fixed in most cases. But some of the most serious problems with a garage door arise due to its cables and the tension springs. Garage door springs provide the power to lift heavy doors, and carelessness can result in injury. Repairing these springs and cables is a tough task that requires a specialist to do the work. However, with the right equipment and following proper instructions, you can repair the springs and cables within hours without going to a professional company. Below are some easy-to-understand steps for garage door spring and cable repairs.
1. Get the Necessary Tools
Having the right set of equipment is necessary if you want a perfect replacement and repair garage door spring and cables. Hence, you have to make sure that your tool kit has the following equipment available.
- Set of adjustable wrenches
- Set of winding bar
- A wireless drill machine
- Hammer
- Set of pliers
- Lock Pliers
- Socket Set / Ratchet ten
- Keyset
- Leather gloves
- Piece of Fabric
- Safety goggles
2. Lock the Garage Door and Loosen the Springs Without Breaking
Begin by tightening the garage door using clamps and pliers. This helps to prevent any type of accidents that may result from a garage door that is unlocked. When the door is unlocked, it can fall, resulting in serious injuries. Then, with the help of a coil rod, loosen up the correct garage door spring. Place it on the coil cone and start loosening the set screws. Be careful, as the spring can spin violently when loosened.
3. Open and Disconnect the Springs from the Center Bracket
With the help of the second winding bar, place it in the next hole, creating a close 90-degree angle between the two bars. Then, remove the first bar while twisting the spring. Make sure that you do this procedure by transitioning through motion. After that, remove the bolts of the fixed cones. Then try to slide the spring to the bracket at the end.
4. Mounting the Torque Tube
Attach a secondary clamp or C-clamp to the center rack to hold the torque tube in the holder. Then, loosen the fixing screws on both sides of the lifter drum. When the screws get loosened, you can disconnect the lifter cables.
5. Install the New Hub Bearing and Left Spring
First, you will need to reassemble it by sliding the replacement torsion spring onto the tube. Remember that you will have to place the fixed cone facing the center stand in this step. You can then reinstall the cable drum and reinsert the torsion bar. Secondly, you will need to connect the cones fixed on the carrier by sliding the middle bearing on the torsion bar.
6. Get the Rollers, Lifting Cables, and Lower Brackets Replaced
This is the ideal situation where you can replace rusty rollers, cables, and lower brackets. To do this, place the lift cable loop first on the new lower bracket. Make sure to wear leather gloves while doing this step to avoid any unnecessary injury to your hands.
7. Tighten the Drums
Flick a vise plier onto the torque tube to lock it in the place while tightening the drum. You can rotate the drum totally to wind the cables in their proper slots. Make sure that you lift the cables as far as possible before you tighten the fixing screws. Hold the lock pliers and repeat the entire process for the other side of the drum. This step is very important to keep the same amount of torque on both sides. If you fail to provide equal torque, the door will not open smoothly.
8. Winding the Garage Door Springs
At last, you will need to wind the garage door springs. Slide the scroll bar into the cone and scroll up to the ceiling. Turn a quarter of the spring each time, skipping the winding bars as you move. The next step is to decide the number of turns to provide tension, and you can consult the operational manual for it. Ideally, it is recommended to complete 30 quarters for 7-foot and 36″ doors.
9. Lubricate and Inspect Your Door
After you have provided the exact amount of tension to the garage door springs, lubricate the cables and springs properly. Then remove the clamps from the torque tube and rail, and raise the door about 3 feet. If the door spring is adjusted properly, the door will stay in its position when you remove the support. However, if it doesn’t happen and the door falls, you will have to provide more tension to the springs. Once you achieve the desired torque and the door doesn’t fall on its own, you can reconnect the opener. After reconnecting, inspect your garage door to check its proper functioning.
Conclusion
Garage door springs and cables are among the chief components of a garage door, and the whole mechanism depends on them. Even if they get the smallest damages, the door mechanism will get disturbed. However, by following the guidelines mentioned above, you can easily repair your damaged garage door springs and cables.
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