How to Install Garage Door Springs and Cables | 14 Step Guide by Expert

Having problems with the garage door is a common occurrence; few people perform preventive maintenance. Thus, we find ourselves in compromising situations; when they suddenly stop working and irremediably require the replacement of garage door springs. Not having adequate experience in the area, the first option is the high labor cost involved in the repair. For that reason, we will provide you with all the information you need to know; how to install garage door springs and cables.

How to Install Garage Door Springs and Cables

Before starting with the process, you must have several tools and materials, which we will name below.

Necessary tools:

• Adjustable wrenches; you must possess various sizes, tracks, and diameters.
• Set of professional winding bars.
• Clamps, preferably of a recognized brand for its quality.
• Cordless drill; if you don’t have one, get a long extension cord to use the corded one.
• Hammer; it must be resistant.
• Leather or non-slip gloves.
• Locking pliers with pressure capacity.
• Rags or rags that you do not use.
• Safety glasses and boots.
• Socket/ratchet wrench set.
• Sinker bars.
• Set of wrenches, screwdrivers, Allen keys, among others.

Materials you must have:

• Lower brackets; are usually the ones that are replaced.
• Double life torsion springs; are indicated for this job. Extension springs cable are also used for garage doors. You can replace a garage door extension spring cable.
• Lifting cables or safety cables; the more length they contain, the better. If leftover, they will be cut at the end of the job.
• At this moment; we have what we need to begin our repair, carefully following the steps that we will show:

Step 1: Secure and close the garage door. 

Before we start, if your car is in the garage, we recommend you remove it and leave all the space available. To execute the steps, have the safety implements on, glasses, gloves, and boots.

• Using the locking pliers, obstruct the rollers to prevent the door from moving. Next, you must unplug the garage door opener and place the door in the down position.
• To unwind or vice versa, the torsion spring; use the professional winding bar set. 
• Place the ladder next to the ends of the spring, never facing it or the stationary cones of the horizontal track; when starting the winding process. When finished, remove the ladder, and test the door to make sure it does not move.

Step 2: Loosen the spring.

Using the winding bar, insert it into the lower hole of the winding cone of the spring. Attach the bar. You can use support hardware; followed by loosening the set screws, use the appropriate wrench. Be careful as you loosen and avoid injuries. The spring will push you by the pressure when loosening the screws.

Step 3: Insert the second bar.

Guiding you clockwise in the normal cycle, place the winding bar at 9:00, pull out the lower bar, and unwind the spring a quarter at a time with patience. You must be careful and patient when you are unwinding the spring.

Step 4: Subtract bolts and nuts ‘to disconnect the broken springs from the center support.

Remove the two nuts and bolts that hold the stationary spring cone to the centre support. Then, with extreme care, slide the springs into the end supports.

Step 5: Lock the torque tube.

Using the locking pliers on the centre support, clamp the torque tube in the support. In doing so, loosen the set screws on the left and right hoist cable drums, disconnecting the hoist cables.

Step 6: Remove the spring to be replaced.

Starting from the left side of the door, slide the torque tube to the right; so you can remove the cable drum. Next, carefully slide the old spring out of the tube.

Step 7: Install the left spring.

Place the new replacement torsion spring into the torsion tube with the fixed cone towards the centre bracket. In this way, reinstall the cable drum with the garage door wire. Then insert the torsion bar into the left side bearing bracket.

Step 8: Install the right spring and a new center bearing.

Slid across the centre bearing to force the torsion bar to the left and push the belt into the fixed cone, install the correct spring. Reinstall the drum and connect both stationary cones to the centre bearing.

Step 9: Replace lower brackets, rollers, and cables.

Place the hoist cable loop over the pin; of the new bottom bracket and pulley, check that it is securely shimmed. Install the new roller and replace the lower brackets and cables.

Step 10: Anchor the cables in the safety groove of the drum.

Route the lifting cables up between the rollers and the door jamb. In this way, move the top of the lifting cable through the cable drum slot.

Step 11: With equal tension, tighten the drums.

Position the locking pliers; on the torque tube to secure it in place while tightening the drums. In this way, twist the drum to wind the cable into the grooves. Stretch the cable as tight as possible before tightening the locking screws. Without moving the locking pliers, repeat the procedure and tighten on the other side. You must apply the same tension on both sides; otherwise, the door will open unevenly.

Step 12: Coil garage door springs with the same tension.

Place a winding bar on the cone; coil in the direction of the ceiling, move the spring a quarter turn at a time, with twisting motions. In this way, you will jump the winding bars as you go. Taking specifications; follow the spring supplier’s recommendations for the total number of turns. If not available, make 30 quarter turns for a 7-foot high door, and 36 quarter turns for an 8-foot high door is the standard.

Step 13: spring stretching.

The spring must be completely wounded. Tap the roller bar to extend the spring — about 1/4 inch — from the centre before pressing the set screws. Move the set screws in a twisting motion; until they contact the torque tube. Then tighten the set screws one-half to three-quarters of a turn.

Step 14: spring lubrication; use garage door lubricants.

Apply to the entire spring area the required lubricant; remember to cover with rags and wipe off excess rungs.

Remove clamps, torque tube pliers, and track, lift door approximately 3 feet by hand. Otherwise, the door drops, add a quarter turn to each spring; repeat if necessary. In this manner, if the door continues to open on its own, release the spring tension in quarter-turn increments until the door remains in place when released. Then reconnect the opener.

How to Install Garage Door Springs and Cables: FAQs

How much does it cost to replace garage door springs and cables?

Both cables and springs are replaced for between $175 and $450. For cables alone, a professional charges $ 75 to $ 200, but it is usually priceless to compare to your springs. It can also be required to change rollers and drums, but this is unusual.

Which is better, torsion or extension springs?

Torsion springs are more expensive, but they endure between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles, whereas garage door extension springs only last up to 10,000. You can calculate the torsion springs. From then, things only get better.

How many rotations do I need for a garage door spring?

With springs, four-quarter turns equal a full revolution, and you must tighten the spring a full revolution for every foot of door height (e.g., 7-1/2 foot door = seven rotations +2). (30 quarter turns).

Can garage door springs be too strong?

The incorrect size spring might create significant issues with your garage doors. A well-fitted spring or springs will result in a secure, well-balanced garage door. A spring that is too tiny or too big might cause damage to your opener, wear on your wires, and create a safety concern, among other things.

How hard is it to replace garage door springs?

Torsion replacement spring is a more complex and potentially risky task. Unplug the opener and fasten the garage door to the track not to open when the strain on the springs is removed. Climb a sturdy ladder beside the winding cone at the spring’s terminus.

Why garage door are springs so dangerous?

Garage door springs may be quite harmful. The danger comes in what occurs if and when the springs break unexpectedly. Because the spring is under continual strain, a sudden failure might cause the spring to break apart abruptly.

When should I replace my garage door cables?

Cables should be examined at least once a year and replaced if the damage is discovered.

How many turns on a 7ft garage door spring?

If your door is 7ft tall, we recommend beginning with 31 quarter turns on each spring. If you have an 8-foot door, begin with 34 quarter rotations.

Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?

As industry experts say, we suggest that you not attempt to start your garage door if the spring is not working well.

Can I replace just one garage door spring?

With fresh spring and one old spring, a torsion spring system can operate perfectly. Your expert installer may make the required changes to ensure that your door is balanced and functions properly.

Should I tip the garage door repairman?

You don’t expect garage maintenance specialists to tip, and they usually don’t anticipate tips for their services. It is always a good gesture, however, to advise for outstanding and pleasant service.

Bottom Line

We hope you know a little more about figuring out how to install garage door springs and cables. The correct use of this material will guide you to fulfil the purpose, allowing you to save money and time, providing the satisfaction of fixing it yourself. It is advisable to find an extra person to perform this task comfortably and safely.