Garage Door Spring Repair & Replacement
That loud bang from your garage at 6 AM? Nine times out of ten, it's a broken torsion spring. Springs carry the full weight of your garage door — a standard two-car door weighs between 150 and 250 pounds — so when one snaps, the door becomes dead weight. You can't lift it, and you definitely shouldn't try to drive under it.
Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs
Your garage door uses one of two spring systems. Torsion springs mount on a metal shaft directly above the door opening. They wind and unwind to lift the door through a system of cables and drums. Most modern residential doors use torsion springs because they provide smoother, more balanced operation.
Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on both sides of the door. They stretch and contract as the door moves. These are more common on older single-car garages and lighter doors. They're cheaper to replace but wear out faster and can be dangerous without proper safety cables.
Warning Signs Your Spring Is About to Fail
- Door opens only six inches then stops — the opener motor can't compensate for a weak spring
- Visible gap in the torsion spring coil, usually near the center
- Door slams shut faster than normal when closing
- Cables look loose or have slipped off the drum
- Door feels heavy when you try to lift it manually with the emergency release
- Squealing or grinding noise during operation that wasn't there before
What Happens During a Spring Replacement
Our technicians start by securing the door in the down position and clamping the track to prevent movement. The old spring gets unwound using professional winding bars — never with screwdrivers or pliers, which is how most DIY injuries happen. We measure the wire gauge, inside diameter, and overall length to match the replacement spring exactly.
We carry the most common residential spring sizes on our trucks, so most jobs are done in under an hour. For double-car doors, we always recommend replacing both springs at the same time, even if only one broke. They have the same wear life, and the second one is usually close behind.
Spring Cycle Life — What the Numbers Mean
Springs are rated by cycle life. One cycle equals one full open-and-close. A standard 10,000-cycle spring lasts roughly 7 to 9 years for a household that uses the garage door 3 to 4 times daily. We install high-cycle springs rated at 25,000 to 50,000 cycles for homeowners who want longer service life and fewer repeat repairs.
Why DIY Spring Repair Is Risky
A wound torsion spring stores enough energy to cause serious injury. The CPSC reports hundreds of emergency room visits each year from garage door spring accidents. Professional technicians use calibrated winding bars and follow specific turn counts based on door weight and spring specifications. This isn't a YouTube project — it's one repair that genuinely needs a professional.
