How to Replace a Garage Door Extension Spring
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- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2024
- In this video you'll learn how to spot and replace a garage door extension spring. A few years back I narrowly avoided being hit by a spring that snapped. Scary stuff. Fortunately, the spring was on a steel safety cable. Learning how to replace a garage door extension spring is easy. And it just might save your life!
If you do nothing else after watching this video other than inspecting your spring for distended coils then I'll be happy. Garage door extension springs are under a ton of tension. Thus, I put several safety precautions in this video so that you'll be injury free.
This video does not address garage door torsion springs. If you have one of these I highly recommend calling in a qualified garage door professional. They can do this project and save you a trip to the ER.
And finally, extension springs can be bought at most home stores for around $29 for a pair. If you need to replace one you should replace both.
For more tips on replacing garage door extension springs, visit: www.homerepairtutor.com/how-t...
#replacegaragedoorspring #garagedoorfixes #diygaragerepairs
Here are some helpful tools:
Two C-Clamps: amzn.to/367g2ya
Lineman’s Pliers: amzn.to/38nYShp
Socket Wrench: amzn.to/3772jJ7
Crescent Wrench: amzn.to/2G1qoVw
Duck Tape: amzn.to/2FZum1b
Step Ladder: amzn.to/3axxfV0
6 Foot Ladder: amzn.to/30wObpQ
New Garage Door Extension Springs (be sure to get the right size and type)
Some product links may be Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
0:00 Intro and tools needed
1:31 Getting ready safely
2:28 Removing the old spring
5:26 Figuring out what spring to get
5:58 Re-installing the safety cable
6:31 Re-installing the pulley
8:56 Re-engage the door and test it
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Disclaimer:
Videos produced by Home Repair Tutor are provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. Home Repair Tutor does not make any claims of the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources listed on this site and will not take responsibility of what you do with the information provided by this site. Viewers must be aware by doing DIY projects on their homes they are doing it at their own risk and Home Repair Tutor cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes. Home Repair Tutor cannot claim liability with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project. 
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Best instructions out of several videos I watched. Thanks for being professional!
I don't even think I have that safety cable on my springs. Good thing I found your video. As soon as I weigh my garage door I'm buying new springs and Dura-Brand rebuild kit.
Very thorough, precise and straight to the point. Very helpful. Thank you for the wonderful video.
Just replaced both my springs - wouldn't have been so easy without the tips in this video! Great work! Thanks for the help! and thanks for saving me money!!
That's awesome Zach Haney - great job doing it yourself. Glad the tips helped :D
Thanks for this DIY video and your corresponding blog (link in the video description)
I also added a "quick link" rated for >800lbs. on either end of the spring to make replacement easier next time (or in my case - when I discovered that I bought springs that were too strong for my opener!)
Great instructions. Just replaced my springs. Piece of cake, relatively-speaking, with your advice. Thank you!
Great simple explanation and to the point and close enough video , we appreciate it !
Very helpful video - just successfully changed mine out after one actually broke. Thanks!!
Thank you! I really needed this tutorial! Keep the videos coming. Great work!
Great! presentation and tutorial. I was able to replace my garage extension spring with the help of this DIY tutorial. Suggest wearing gloves as there will be dealing with grease and rust. Thank you very much for sharing the video presentation!
Thank you for this very clear to see & understand tutorial. It will make this daunting project doable
This is the best, most succinct and shortest. I wish I had watched this first before I wasted all my time on the others LOL
Thanks for the video. Was a great help in replacing a spring that just broke.
Excellent step by step tutorial. Thank you!
Great explanation and video done right. Get's to the point and doesn't have youtube music playing over his voice. Great job! Waiting for Lowes to deliver my springs so I was researching how-to's. I'm saving this video for sure!!
thank you, hope your project goes smoothly
Best one I’ve found on this topic. Great job.
Thanks
Thanks Jeff, saved me $200, great instruction
That's music to my ears Darren Cooper, great job :D
About to go tackle this now since this makes it look so easy! thanks for the tutorial.
Quick thank you to you! Replaced spring according to instructions in your video. Springs were under $20 at HD. Much appreciated.
Tolku glad to hear you had success, great job :D
Wow great video dude. Fully explained in you tutorial. thank you.
Thanks, appreciate your kind words
Excelente explicación. Aunque no entiendo el inglés hablado, si entiendo los subtítulos. El expositor tiene gran capacidad de enseñanza. Felicitaciones.
a note for people with automatic door openers ,, the door "must" smoothly operate in balance and freely by hand and not bind .. manually test first after your repair. then make sure to go through the procedure of adjusting your openers down and up force adjustments and testing the safety sensor beam that reverses the door if its light beam is blocked..
Hi, my door won't open manually even after disengaging the automatic opener. It goes up about an inch and is in the closed position with a broken spring. Any suggestion on how to open it? I checked and cannot find anything blocking the rails on the sides.
Great video for my old garage door. thanks.
Nice info. We work with many Garage Door Repair issues in our business.
Just fixed mine a few minutes ago; thanks for the guide!
Thanks Jeff. Informative video which helped me with my garage door spring change.
Glad to help Sandeep Desai :D
This video made me smile. I never heard something explained like that ☺
Thank you for sharing this video! I have to change the springs on mine too!
Best video ever! This helped me over come my initial fear and made my first in home repair job! Thanks!
Glad it helped!
Great video. Many installation tips given. Thanks.
+Ronald Hurd glad it helped
nice, complete and simple to understand video. thanks!
Thanks John
Good instructions and very details. I haven't found pulley bracket which allows safety cable go through. Home Depot sells a regular pulley bracket and no one had any clue to find one on old spring.
Thanks,
Keshav
Were you ever able to find a pulley with a safety cable bracket? Like you I haven't been able to find one - just plain pulleys with no bracket.
It's a nice feature, but it's not really needed. In a pinch one could drill two holes in a piece of angle metal, put a grommet in one hole, if you wanna be fancy, and just bolt that on the bracket.
Thanks for the vid. The ladder safety tip was a new one for me, but seems obvious now. Also, my garage door did NOT have the safety cable wire. Anyway, it makes me feel good doing it myself. Took 2 hours because I don't do it every day
Thank you for this nice video.
Great presentation, with a comforting voice (to go along) brings confidence to the DIY'er. I'll be checking out some other DYI Vid soon. First gotta check out Building Moxie first.
Great vid. I can do this. Going to Lowe's to buy a pair of springs.
Excellent Video! A garage door company wanted $125 to replace each spring. Each spring cost $18. When I replaced the first one, I thought that it could not be this easy! I replaced four springs (2 doors) - no problem.
+OEPMedia great job, actually $125 isn't a bad price...could be far worse
I just got a quote for $500 to replace the springs. That's why I'm here instead...
I just got a quote for $500!
Excellent Video! Thanks!
Thank you. Very helpful video.
Very informative, nice job !
Thanks! It helped me today.
You just saved me at least $200. Megathanx!
Thanks Emo, that’s awesome
Thanks for the post helped out tremendously
Thanks ya right - glad to hear the video helped you out :D
Great Video. Very helpful.
Glad it helped fizzofpop
thank you for the information
Awesome tutorial. Thanks for doing it.
Thanks...good video.
Great video
Very Helpful!!!
Where do you recommend buying replacement springs?
Hi Jeff, can I apply these same principles if I want to convert my garage door to a high-lift garage door? What extra parts will I need?
Good video. One of my extension springs broke last night and thank God no one was in the garage. This video will be very helpful in replacing the broken one. For good measure I guess I should replace both as the other is the same age.
Is there any lubrication to parts that can extend life to these units?
Great video very helpful! I do think you should add a note early in the video to warn people not to weigh their door! Many other do it yourself videos for garage spring replacement suggest that you should disengage the pulley and springs and then put your door down and weigh it! If the door is heavy, which many old doors are, it may be very difficult to lift it back up without the help of springs. Just a suggestion to great video.
How do you select the correct spring and how do you adjust the the up and down force so bottom door wont warp. Thanks,
Ray
Woow ur video is awesome 👏🏻 👏🏻 ...
I have a question : - How can we take spring dimensions ( wire size x Spring OD x Length ) as per weight of Door . Like i know the color as per weight..i am mot able to find spring dimensions chart as per color or weight of door..it will be hreat favour plz if u hv any website link to find this all details ???
Great vid
Thank you
Hi just watched your video and its educational thank you.
i have a question, i bought sectional garage door that comes with torsion spring and bar, however the headrest is too short meaning the garage is 2510m high. So when we tried to put the torsion spring, we foid out that the garage opener wont have a space to be mouted to.
So i was adviced that i must put two tension springs and cut the vertical track.
My question is by how much do i need to cut the vertical tracks? Or even if you can share dimensions of the (sectiinal garage door assembly with springs).
Thanks, David
Thank you for this. Although my garage walls were right against the rail so it was tricky but got it done.
how far from the garage door should the springs be installed
Thx, heading to my folks place to fo this now.
thank you for the information, quick question.
after replacement springs, the door won't close all the way even change the force down level all the way. there is about 1-1.5inch gap on the bottom. any idea or solution?
Does the Door bind during its closing travel ? or is it trying to forcibly spring back open from the closed position ?
Thank you
Where did the end of the safety cable go? I see where you tied off at the top where it came out of the spring and you tightened with the pliers but I don't know where the other end went.
Can you combine 2 extension springs for the combined weight of the door? i.e. my door is 210lbs. Can I use a 110lb and 100lb spring connected together and if so, how would I connect them?
The one extension spring left shows one stretched link. Can I open the door for repair on one spring without ruining new gear shaft recently installed. I did try to open door not knowing one spring broke but it stopped 2 ft up. I thing pulley cable got stuck in broken side pulley and triggered sensor. 2nd only have one ladder. C clamps ok by themselves?
Good job; thanks
Thank you aphilips1951
Hey at 1:56 did you lose control of your garage door ? When you pulled it I saw it start moving and you werent near enough to stop it . I was wounderin cause I kinda did the same thing lol . Thank you for the video it helped tons ! Your awsome
How important is it that you match up the right weight rating on the spring? As you probably know the weight rating on newer springs are color coded. I have a 7x9 single wooden door. And 7x9 doors apparently go from like 90-130 pounds going by the chart I saw on home depot. But I got the springs replaced on the other garage door sometime in the past, and they put 150 pound springs on it. Unfortunately Lowes only had 140 or 160, so I got the 160. But I think both of the springs are wrong and I probably need a 120 or 130. Is that a big deal if I used a higher rating than necessary?
The springs on my other doors seem to have some slack. The one I just installed is so tight that it jiggles even after the garage door has been closed for several minutes.
Great video!!! How do you go about selecting the correct replacing cable? I have a single door that weights 80 pounds, so that means I should use the 90lbs one from HD. However, the old cable I am replacing has a white end, which corresponds with the 130lbs cable. Better to go by cable closer to the weight or is it OK to go over and get a more powerful cable?
Don't use a more powerful cable. I made this mistake and ripped my garage door. Make sure the cables match in weight.
Where do I buy new springs and a safety cable??
I have replaced the springs. How do I get the door to close with my garage door opener? I have to be outside and grab the door and pull it hard to the left in order for it to come down. It gets stuck on the right side at about 12" from the top of the garage opening
and I don't know how to fix it.
Might be a good idea to put a drop of thread lock on the pulley nut threads during reassembly to keep it from coming loose.
What if only one side is bad? Do I still replace both? The garage door springs are 15 years old but one looks great with no stretched out springs and the other one is extremely streched out, so much, the steal cabling attached to the pulley is extremely slack.
Thanks!
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Hey partner. I think we should remind folks. That one new spring is going to have more tension than the other so you should replace both. And at the end of the cables you can put clamp-able farrows on them for safety and to keep them from unthreading. God bless
Changed my extension springs and door is approx. 1" from landing on floor. Adjusted down button on opener but will not close all the way. Help Thanks
Great video - covered everything - Thanks
Question: Is it a good idea to replace both springs instead of just the one that is broken? I've noticed that these springs are sometimes sold in pairs.
I would change both since they are almost always under tension when the door is down and age of the springs lose their strength over time. Also I would get a can of garage door lube and lube the rollers that ride in the track.
I have the same issue. One spring looks fine and the other is very stretched out. I think it's best to replace both. But I have two doors with one side being fine and the other is bad.
I'm tempted to just buy one pack of springs and just replace the bad side.
I have an old door and no factory parts available I have to match up what replacement parts I have before hand so I won't be stuck not being able to use the door while waiting for parts.
I replaced both springs same color and all but my garage door isn’t closing. Any ideas??
One of my springs is green and the other yellow what do I do I weighed the door105 pounds I think yellow is to strong any thoughts.
What size are those C clamps?
great video ...just curious ....house and springs are very old ...original springs have no paint coding to help determine how to choose the correct new spring size (120# / 130# 140# or 150# or 160#) .... b/c I could not tell I chose by simply comparing size and ended up with 160#. My question is can you choose too large or too hefty of a spring? what's the danger of over doing it?
thanks - bill
Great question. If you're changing the springs for the first time, it's a good idea to check the weight of the door, no matter what the color code says. You do that by removing the extension springs and allow the door to come down slowly onto a regular bathroom scale placed on the ground, in the middle of the door. Keep in mind that the pulleys are going to get moved while you're doing that, so tie some string to them and thread it through the holes in the metal bracket inside the garage where the extension springs and safety cable terminate (There may be a better way to do that part, but I haven't discovered it yet!). If you can get a helper to hold onto the string while you're closing the door, that's a plus!
As for selecting too hefty a spring... It's a bad idea. You're opener will have to work against an unreasonable force to close, and you may have problems with the door stopping mid-closure and not wanting to close. It thinks there is something caught under the door! Conversely, too light a spring is as bad as a worn spring. It's not taking the load off of the opener as the door closes, and puts unwanted load on the openers chain and gear, causing excessive wear and early failure.
One additional thought. Keep in mind that older houses that have been painted a few times the weight of the door can easily increase to the next level. All the more reason to check the real weight before changing the springs.
I saw a device to adjust tension with a drill. Do you recommend this? Where can I purchase parts for attaching to the springs. My garage door is so old and does not have parts that support installation that looks orderly and safe as your video shows.
I'm not sure about the tension adjustment...it's best to call in a professional if you're uncertain. These springs are under tremendous tension and can cause serious injury.
+James IMO, those are more of a pain than they are worth. Plus you are tensioning it while you are in the line of fire. With the standard way, you are changing the setting under slack conditions. Safer, IMO.
Hardware store or home improvement store. But you can get stuff from an online garage door place if you want "official garage door parts". I use DDM garage door. I guess it depends on what you need. If you don't know what force it will see or how to determine that, you may have to call a pro.
Great video. I recently had a spring break and have ordered all new rollers and springs. This helps a lot. Two questions I have:
How do you adjust the final spring tension using the lifter cables?
And will long term unplugging the drive opener affect the remote opener units and their codes?
Thanks.
You really should make sure the garage door opens and closes manually WITHOUT the opener before you hook it up. If you don't and have something wrong, you could overwork and damage your opener which would require a lot more videos and $$$$ to replace. Checking it this way also ensures that it works during a power outage.
You left out very important info
Does anyone have a door that has dual springs on both sides? If so is the process that same as the single spring?
My garag door is closed and one spring is broke. I relase and unlock the garage door opener but I can not open door by manually. Please tell me how can I open door so I can install spring. Thanks,
similar thing happened to me. check if your pulley is jammed in the track, preventing you from opening.
Our broke last night. How soon would I need to replace it?
One year later
Jeff your videos are great, if it helps out we ship out garage door springs and all door parts on our store the same day. Let me know if I can help you out with any of your projects, I would be glad to donate the parts.
Thanks Kyle Hogge - I'll definitely let you know.
Hello. How old was the old springs you replaced?
I'm not sure Tworth23 but I'd guess about 14 years old.
Tot, taught or taut? How tight?
I would like to install extension springs with safety cables but I do not spot any brackets to attach the safety cables. there is only one hole in the bracket that holds the eyebolt. What is the alternative? do I have to install a hanger or bracket on the ceiling? hope to hear from you soon .. thanks.
Same issue. Hope we get a reply.
You could use cable clamps to terminate the cable. That would let you go through one hole, or around a beam or bracket. Just remember, "never saddle a dead horse". ;) i.e. the U-bolt goes over the "dead" end of the cable, and the "saddle" goes on the "live" part of the cable(the part going through the spring).
Or, just drill a second hole. You only need two holes to do the proper "knot".
Here is a picture of one type of knot:
www.holmesgaragedoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Ideal-Extension-Spring-Install-Supplemental.pdf
If the old springs are not color coded, what is the best way to figure out the strength of the spring to replace.?
thanks
take a look at the door and see if there are any measurements and then call the manufacture. If the door is older then take the old spring to the store and see what they think. But be careful as these springs are very dangerous if installed incorrectly.
+Mario You need to weigh the door, which I recommend anyway. A bathroom scale works fine for this, but you may need wood scraps so the door puts pressure only on the foot pads. You'll need a friend or two, depending on the weight of the door so you can safely lower the door with no springs on it.
If it's a 150 pound door, you need two 150 pound springs. (Each spring holds 1/2 the weight, but the pulley puts 2X that tension on the spring)
Make sure you have an idea of the weight of the door before you do this. If you have some fancy 500 pound door and you don't have the ability to lower it with some rigging, then don't try this.
Like Home Repair Tutor says, the manufacture can also tell you, _if_ the sticker is still on the door and readable.
What about making sure you have the correct length spring - these springs come in several different depending on the door. One length does NOT fit all doors.
how do you attached the spring to "eye bolt"? You skipped this step. In 6:05, you just jumped to where the spring is attached already. The end of the spring is very tight so it is not easy to secure "eye bolt" to it. I tried to use a flat head screwdriver to pry it open but it won't budge
Eddie Chew I would like to have seen that too. I hate it when people leave out an important step in these how-to videos.
Great video Jeff Patterson. I have one question: What if the color code on my broken extension spring appears to be gray (grey)?
That color is not listed in the color code list for Garage Door weight and spring requirements. I'm baffled!
If I guess that it's a light green, then my door weighs 130 lbs. If I guess that it's white, then my door weighs 110 lbs. Yellow is 120 lbs. No grey exists. If I guess wrong, then I'm risking the safety of the garage door and my family's well being every time I open the door. Any recommendations? Just to repeat, it is *definitely* grey (gray) colored paint on the end of those springs. No doubts!
I read somewhere that you can use a bathroom scale and a length of 2x4 lumber to weigh the door.
Here's my problem with your video. It starts at 6:42. You show us earlier the old extension spring and the new one side by side (5:29), and we see that the new spring is SHORTER than the old spring. When you reconnect the pulley wheel to the new spring at 6:42, how do you do it so easily? If the new spring is SHORTER than the old one, how does the pulley wheel reach the red end of the new spring without any problem? When I did it, I was at least 6" short, and could not finish the job. To go one step further, at 3:13 you place some blue tape with a marker, but later this tape is never mentioned again. Why not? Thanking you for the help in advance.
I can't get my safety cable to be snug Plus I'm having a hard time keeping my safety cable to the right of my pulley
Any luck Brian? It takes a bit of force to hold the cable in place. I used pliers but you might also need a buddy to hold it for you while tying it.
I replaced a set of springs yesterday. The door goes up really easy but when it gets about a foot off the ground it is really tough to bring it down. The garage door opener then kicks back in and the door goes up. I can't figure out what I've done wrong. The original spring was really rusty and had no color on it, and someone had replace the other spring and that had a gold or yellow end on it. This is only a 8'x7' door. I'm not sure how to correct this issue.
I just had the same issue. The right spring broke and I replaced it. This being the first time I ever had to do it and I'm a novice at home repairs. I wanted to make sure it would work before replacing the left one too. Anyways, I manually put the door down and it stopped about 6 inches from the ground. I pulled the door up a bit and then back down. After a few times, the new spring gave way and let the door shut completely. I guess it needed to be stretched a few times. I used the garage door opener afterwards and it was fine back and forth. Just a thought from my experience, good luck.
Yes thank you. I did have the wrong springs. Put on a 90 lb and the door worked great.
+Moon Pie 3 different people at Home Depot didn't know so I talked to a door guy I know and he told me which ones to buy.
+Moon they actually go all the way down to 10 pounds.
www.dasma.com/PDF/Publications/TechDataSheets/CommercialResidential/TDS171.pdf
I know this because I recently had to work on a 50# door and that was a tough spring to find.
@9:10 I just noticed that. running a low voltage line, whether it be the safety sensors or just the wall button, next to the 120 VAC line like that should be avoided. If it's working, I guess leave it. I certainly wouldn't suggest an inexperienced person tackle changing that. It is something to be aware of, tho.