Spring service
Garage door spring repair, torsion and extension
- Springs measured, not guessed
- Door re-balanced after
- Cables checked too
Springs do the lifting; the opener only guides the door. So garage door spring repair is the fix behind most "my door won't go up" calls, and it's the one job homeowners should never try with a screwdriver and a YouTube video. A wound torsion spring stores enough energy to break bones. Our tech measures wire size, length and inside diameter before installing a replacement matched to your door's weight.
Cold snaps are hard on this part. Steel gets more brittle as it chills, and a spring already near the end of its life often lets go on a freezing North Jersey morning. A break can also fray or unwind a lift cable, so those get inspected in the same visit. If the motor strained against the dead weight, we test the opener as well. A spring replacement offer is listed on our coupons page.
Heard a loud bang?
That's usually a spring. Leave the door closed and call; we answer around the clock.
Spring work we handle
Replacing the broken coil is only part of the job. A correctly set spring is what lets the door float halfway up instead of slamming or creeping.
Torsion spring replacement
Springs on the bar above the door are unwound safely, swapped for a correctly sized pair and wound to the turn count your door's height and weight call for.
Extension spring replacement
Side-mounted springs that stretch along the horizontal tracks are replaced with matching ones. Containment cables are run through them so a future break can't whip loose.
Conversion to torsion
Some older doors with side springs can switch to a torsion setup, which tends to run smoother. We'll say whether your track layout and headroom allow it.
Balance and tune-up
With new springs on, the door is hand-tested for balance, moving parts are lubricated and opener force is confirmed.
Torsion vs. extension springs
Torsion springs
Mounted on a steel shaft above the opening, they twist to store energy and turn cable drums at each end. Most newer doors use them. Standard springs are commonly rated around 10,000 open-close cycles, with higher-cycle options available for busy doors.
Extension springs
Found on many older and lighter doors, these run parallel to the ceiling tracks and stretch as the door closes. They need a safety cable through the center; without one, a snapped spring can fly across the garage.
Why we suggest replacing both
Two springs installed together have seen the same number of cycles. When one breaks, the other has similar wear and often fails soon after.
How a failing spring shows itself
Not every spring problem ends in a loud snap. Watch for these first.
- A visible gap in the coilA torsion spring has broken; the two halves separate by an inch or two.
- Door slams or drops fastSprings have lost tension and no longer hold the door's weight.
- Opener lifts a few inches, then stopsThe motor's force limit tripped because the door is too heavy.
- Door won't stay halfway openSpring tension is off balance and needs adjusting or replacement.
- Stretched side spring with gapsExtension springs that stay elongated when closed are worn out.
Safety first. Never loosen the set screws on a torsion spring, pull on the red emergency release with a broken spring, or try to lift a dead-weight door yourself. With no spring holding it, the door can drop the moment the opener lets go. Keep the door shut, unplug the opener and wait for a tech with winding bars.
Spring repair with Carter
Sized to your door
Springs are chosen by measuring the old ones and the door, not by grabbing whatever is on the truck. The right size is what makes the door balance.
Answering 24/7
A broken spring can leave the car stuck inside before work. Call any hour and a person takes the details.
Balance test before we leave
The tech releases the opener, lifts the door by hand and checks that it holds midway. If it drifts, the tension gets adjusted.
Related parts inspected
Cables, drums, bearings and end plates take a beating when a spring fails. They're looked at in the same visit so nothing is left half-fixed.
