Garage Door Spring Repair You Can Rely On

My first torsion spring swap happened in a friend’s cold garage back when flip phones were just getting cameras. I was younger, sure, but the respect I learned for wound steel hasn’t changed. Now at 45 I still carry the same pair of winding bars and the scar on my knuckle that reminds me never to rush. Springs don’t care how confident you feel—they respond only to care and preparation.

Every call starts with a balance check. I disconnect the opener, lift the door halfway, and feel the weight. If it slams, the springs are tired. If it floats, someone over-tightened. I measure wire diameter, inside diameter, coil length—no guessing. Properly matched springs make the opener’s life easier and keep your shoulders from doing extra work.

My van stays stocked with oil-tempered and coated torsion springs, plus extension sets for older setups. I mark each pair in a scribbled code—my handwriting still drops letters like “beleive”—so I know what’s what at a glance. When I weigh a door with analog scales, you’ll see the numbers for yourself, because I want you comfortable with the plan before we touch hardware.

Safety is non-negotiable. I clamp the door, loosen set screws gently, and unwind the old springs slowly. Once the shaft is clear, we inspect bearings, plates, and drums together. If anything looks suspect, we swap it now. Installing fresh springs on tired hardware is like putting new tires on a bent rim; not happening on my watch.

After sliding the new springs on, I set the cables, wind the coils evenly, and mark the shaft with a dab of paint for future reference. Torqueing set screws just right means they bite without scarring the shaft. We lift the door manually, listen for balance, and I make tiny adjustments until it rests exactly where I leave it. That’s the sweet spot.

Extension spring systems get the same attention. I add safety cables if they’re missing, swap pulleys that wobble, and balance the stretch side to side. A lot of homes around here still run extension setups, and they deserve the same respect as the newer torsion rigs.

People ask how long springs last. I answer honestly: it depends on cycles. Daily use burns through standard springs faster than weekend openings. We can talk about high-cycle options if you’re in and out a lot. I write the install date and details on a small tag (typos and all) so we both remember what’s up next time I visit.

When the mechanical work is done, I lube the coils, reconnect the opener, and run a few tests. We do a safety reverse with a scrap 2x4, check the photo eyes, and listen for any odd noises. You’ll get a quick card with the details, even if my penmanship looks like my kid wrote it. More importantly, you’ll get a balanced door that behaves.

If your springs snapped, sagged, or just feel tired, give me a shout. I bring caution, fair pricing, and a friendly handshake. We’ll keep your door lifting smooth, your opener relaxed, and your mornings calm.