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How To Adjust Spring Tension On Garage Door

How do you adjust the tension on a garage door spring?

Once your garage door is secured, remove the spring hook from the track hanger, which will allow you to move the hook and adjust the spring’s tension. If you need to increase the spring tension, hook the spring onto a lower hole on the track hanger. To decrease tension, move the hook to a higher hole.

How many turns on a garage door spring?

A rule of thumb with springs is that four quarter turns equals a full revolution and the spring needs to be tightened a full revolution for every foot of door height (e.g. 7-1/2 foot door = 7 revolutions +2 (30 quarter turns).

How do I know if my garage door springs need to be adjusted?

More Noise Than Usual. A balanced garage door should be relatively quiet when traveling up or down the door tracks. If your garage door is making excessive creaking, grinding, or squeaking noises when opening or closing, your springs may be strained and most likely need to be replaced.

Which way do you wind a garage door spring?

Basically, door springs can either wind to the left or to the right. Right-hand winding springs wind in a clockwise manner with the end wire on the right, while left-hand winding springs go anticlockwise with their end wire on the left.

How do you balance a garage door?

Performing a Balance Test Close the door from the inside. Detach the garage door from the opener using the red manual release rope. Move the door open and closed manually. Then lift the door halfway and release. If it stays in one place, it is properly balanced. If it closes or snaps open, the door is off-balance.

How do you adjust a double torsion spring on a garage door?

To adjust torsion spring tension, the door is locked in the down position. With locking pliers clamped on the torsion tube, winding bars are used to wind the springs tighter to increase tension. Tension is reduced by removing turns. When two springs are used, both sides should be adjusted the same.

Can garage door springs be too strong?

When garage door springs are too large, they provide more strength than the door needs. It will open with too much force, rolling up very quickly and compromising its safety. Kids or even unprepared adults could be knocked over by the sudden force when they try to open it.

What happens when garage door springs too tight?

Decrease the spring tension: springs that are too tight cause your door to close only partially, or spring open wildly, potentially causing damage to your door. Increase the spring tension: Increase the spring tension: If your door struggles to open, but closes too quickly, your springs are probably too loose.

Do garage door springs lose tension over time?

At that rate, the springs will probably last for seven to nine years. But if you have a very heavy garage door, the springs could wear out after only four years. You can check the springs themselves for signs that they are weakening. If you notice gaps between the coils of the springs, they may need replacement.

How do I test my garage door spring?

Basically, you run a tape measure along the length of a spring, and take down the number of inches. Therefore, if your tape measure indicates that a torsion spring is 36 inches from one end to the other, that’s a 36-inch — or three foot — torsion spring.

How many turns on a 8ft garage door spring?

A) The amount of turns required on your springs depends on the height of your garage door. If your door is 7ft high then we recommend starting off at 31 Quarter turns on each springs. If you have an 8ft door then start at 34 Quarter turns.

How do you fix a unbalanced garage door?

Check out these steps to performing your own at-home balance test: Step 1: Close the door from inside the garage. Step 2: Detach the door from the opener. Step 3: Move the door manually open and closed. Step 4: Lift the door by hand to the halfway point and carefully release it.

Why is my garage door so heavy to lift?

Cause: Garage torsion springs are vital aspects of the garage opening system, as no other part of the mechanism is strong enough to lift the heavy door. When a torsion spring suffers a failure or breakage, you may notice that your garage feels much weightier to lift, or it simply won’t open at all.

Should my garage door have two torsion springs?

Doors with extension springs should always have two springs. The pair work together to provide a counterweight to the door. If one of your garage door springs breaks or is in poor condition, replace both springs. In order for the springs to provide a balanced lift, both must provide equal strength and support.

Why does my garage door have 2 different size torsion springs?

At times the garage door may be designed to take advantage of two different size springs which ensure optimal balance. If the springs aren’t exerting enough tension, then the door is way to heavy to open, and it will slam shut each time.

How far can a garage door spring stretch?

Length. Since extension springs have to stretch during the loading phase and contract to help the door raise, length plays a major role in door operation. Extension springs for a 7ft tall garage door are a standard 25 inches and stretch 42 inches. Springs for an 8ft tall door are usually 28 inches and stretch 48 inches.