Springs are what let a person, or a small opener motor, raise a door that can weigh well over a hundred pounds. When a spring breaks, the door becomes dead weight. Broken springs are among the most common garage door calls in Oklahoma City, and the repair is one of the few household jobs that really should be left to a trained technician.
How a broken spring shows itself
- A loud snap or bang, often when nobody is near the door.
- A gap of an inch or two in the coil of a spring on the bar over the door.
- The opener runs and strains, the door lifts a few inches and stops.
- The top section of the door bends slightly as the opener pulls on it.
- Loose cables hanging beside the door.
Turn the opener off at that point. An opener pulling against a door with no spring help can strip its gear, bend the top section of the door, or burn out.
Torsion versus extension springs
Torsion springs are mounted on a steel shaft just above the door. They twist as the door closes and release that energy to lift it. Most OKC homes built in the last few decades use them.
Extension springs stretch along the horizontal tracks on each side. They are common on older doors. Census data shows 47.2% of Oklahoma City homes were built before 1980, so plenty of local garages still have them. Every extension spring should have a safety cable running through its middle so that a snapped spring cannot fly loose. If yours do not, ask for them.
Why not to do it yourself
The tension in a garage door spring is enough to break a wrist or worse. Changing one means choosing a spring matched to the door's weight and height, unwinding the old spring safely, and winding the new one with proper winding bars. Do not loosen set screws, cables, or the brackets at the bottom corners of the door. Unplug the opener, leave the door closed, and call.
Oklahoma weather and springs
Springs wear out with cycles, one open and one close at a time, and every spring eventually reaches the end of its rated life. Oklahoma City's swings from 100 F summer days to ice storms and cold snaps are hard on hardware in general. A worn spring that has held on through the fall can give out on a cold morning. Keeping springs lightly lubricated helps them run quietly and smoothly.
What happens on a spring repair
- 1The technician checks the door's size and weight and identifies the right spring.
- 2Any remaining tension is released safely.
- 3New springs are fitted and wound to the correct number of turns.
- 4Cables, drums and center bearing are checked and replaced if worn.
- 5The door is balanced. Lifted half way by hand, it should stay in place.
- 6Hinges, rollers and springs are lubricated and the opener's safety reverse is tested.
On a two-spring door, expect to be offered both springs. They have done the same number of cycles, and the second one is usually not far behind the first.
Cost
Housecall Pro gives a national range of $200 to $600 for torsion spring replacement. That is not an Oklahoma City quote. Two springs, a heavy door, or new cables move the price up. See the OKC cost guide for more.
Common questions
Can I lift my garage door if a spring is broken?
It is not safe. Without the spring, the door is extremely heavy and can fall. If your car is trapped, tell the technician when they call.
Why replace both springs if only one broke?
Both were installed at the same time and have the same wear. Replacing both together usually saves a second visit soon after.
Do extension springs need safety cables?
Yes. A cable through the center of each extension spring keeps the pieces contained if the spring snaps. Ask for them if they are missing.
Other services
Opener Repair
Openers that hum, reverse or quit after a storm, and new openers with battery backup.
New Garage Doors
Replacement doors and new installs, including insulated and wind-rated doors for Oklahoma storms.
Hail and Panel Damage
Hail-dented, wind-bent or cracked sections replaced when a matching panel is available.