Broken Torsion Spring

El Toro · May 10, 2012

Heard a noise that sounded like gun fire. When I went to raise the garage door and it only raised about a foot. Then I saw the broken spring when I lowered the door. It's been in use 13 years. Hope the new springs aren't made in China. Hal

Paul from MI · May 10, 2012

I have replaced tose before. Be careful!! There's a lot of force there when you get it tensioned and you sure don't want it to get loose on you.

Mike (WA) · May 10, 2012

Even though most of us are DIYers, this might be a good time to call in a garage door outfit to install the spring- they have special tools and experience to safely accomplish a dangerous repair.

Goose · May 10, 2012

I hate when that happens.

At another house we once owned, we had a 16' garage door with extension springs. One evening my brother-in-law and I drove into the garage and I hit the button to close the garage door on the way into the house.

I'd just closed the door to the house when there was a big "bang" and a bunch of carrying on out in the garage. One of the springs had broken and ricocheted around inside the garage. Never did find where it had damaged a vehicle.

At least with the torsion springs, they don't fly around when they break.

WJD · May 10, 2012

It happens to me every 3-4 years. It is best to replace them both while you are at it. If one failed the other one will fail dhortly. I have a heavy door which my torsion spring life shorter.

old · May 10, 2012

Not a fun job to do and if you make a simple mistake can be a deadly job also. So if your doing it your self be careful since when winding that spring back up the rods can go flying out like a missle

Jim KS · May 10, 2012

The biggest reason spring fail is they are not kept oiled so the coils don't slip evenly
Jim

rustyfarmall · May 10, 2012

I am a do-it-yourselfer from the word go, but I will not touch those garage door torsion springs OR the automatic openers. Calling in a professional for that job is money well spent.

evilboweviel · May 10, 2012

just placed a service call
SWMBO called me at work last night said the garage door would not open
checked this morning and the spring was broken mine has one spring
$120 to show up, install new spring and check door over
I have done all repairs on this house since 1999 but I ain't touching that one
Ron

El Toro · May 10, 2012

I'll do the openers, but not those springs. The repairman said he has been hurt from those springs. Hal

El Toro · May 10, 2012

It cost $136.00 for the springs and $87.00 for the service call. This company had installed the insulated door in 1999. He was only 30 to 40 minutes doing it. I called another company and they wanted $455.00. He also oiled the springs and hinges. He said they usually last about 6 years. He was surprised when I told him the door and springs were installed in 1999. When I had the old 16-foot wooden door one of those double springs broke on one side and tore out one of metal hangers. I always changed those. Hal

evilboweviel · May 10, 2012

repairman just showed up
said he will replace the one broken spring with two good ones and keep the total to $120
house was built in early 1999
ron

60 acre hillside · May 10, 2012

I did that before I heard that it was dangerous, Also cut open LP tanks, Welded rims with tires mounted. soldered gas tanks.Ran V8 engines with the top of the carburetor removed to observe the float level. Remembering these things keep me awake at night, I was spared but now will never do these things again.

Broken Torsion Spring

El Toro

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Paul from MI

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Mike (WA)

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Goose

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WJD

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old

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Jim KS

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rustyfarmall

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evilboweviel

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El Toro

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El Toro

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evilboweviel

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60 acre hillside

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