 |
 |
|
Replacing a "torsion spring" is dangerous.It's not a do-it-yourself job.Torsion springs are the kind wound-up on a rod above the garage door opening. There are a pair of them--one on each side of the center of the door. When one breaks the other often follows, so save the cost of another service call, and have both replaced when one breaks. Many people have been maimed or killed tightening or releasing these springs. Hire a professional. If you are hell bent on replacing one yourself rent a spring tensioning tool--probably have to find one at a garage door company. They look something like long handled bolt cutters but, the business end it a ratchet to hold the bar as you tension the spring. DO NOT TRY THIS WITH INDIVIDUAL CRANKING BARS. Skydiving is much safer. UPDATE: Clopay recently came out with a torsion spring that uses an electric drill to tension it. If you have this new concept spring on your door, it's probably safe enough to do yourself. But, if you don't have this kind of spring now, you will have to remove the tension on your old style one that's not broken and that's dangerous. The other kind of springs -- the kind that run along the upper, right and left door tracks, and extend/stretch to do their job -- are not a difficult home repair. However, some safety measures are in order. I keep looking for a how-to description to put here but haven't found one. You replace them with the door raised so the springs are relaxed. Securely clamp a pair of ViceGrips or a C-clamp on the track just below the bottom roller to block it from moving (trying to close) while you change the spring. Be in a protected place the first time the door goes down after the repair, in case a spring breaks or comes loose. When they are extended (door down) they are stretched to potentially deadly force--they may be lifting a 400 pound door. Add a safety cable if there isn't one already. A safety cable is a roughly 3/16"
braided steel cable threaded through the center of the spring (Thinking of the spring as a
tube, the cable is threaded through the tube.) and anchored securely at each end (often to
some part of the track support) and, positioned so it cannot interfere with opening and
closing the door. This cable shouldn't be taut. If the spring breaks this cable will hold
the parts, keeping them from shooting into something or somebody. |
|
Send mail to bill@dsidoors.com?bcc=file@dsidoors.com with questions or comments about
this web site.
|
We take MasterCard and Visa |
 |
 |
