Your garage door spring does the heavy lifting—literally. It counterbalances the weight of the door, which can be 150 to 300 pounds. When that spring breaks, the door becomes dead weight. You can't open it manually without a serious struggle, and you risk injury or damage to your car and property.
In Redondo Beach, where the salt air corrodes metal faster than inland areas, springs fail more often. But before you call us, here's the straight talk on fixing them yourself—and when to back off.
There are two main types: torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the door opening. They twist to store energy. Extension springs run parallel to the horizontal tracks on both sides and stretch to store energy.
If you have a torsion spring system, stop right here. Torsion springs are under extreme tension—up to 10,000 pounds per square inch. One wrong move and the spring can snap, causing severe injury or death. We don't say that to scare you; we say it because we've seen the aftermath. Leave torsion spring replacement to a licensed pro. Period.
Extension springs are less dangerous but still risky. They stretch and contract, and if a cable snaps, the spring can fly across the garage. If you're handy and careful, you might tackle an extension spring replacement. But know your limits.
Springs don't just snap without warning. Look for these signs:
• The door is hard to open manually or won't stay open.
• You hear a loud bang or a screeching noise when operating.
• The door jerks or moves unevenly.
• You see gaps in the spring coils or rust on the spring.
If you notice any of these, don't wait. A broken spring is a safety hazard. And if you're in Redondo Beach, the salty air accelerates rust, so inspect your springs every few months.
For extension springs, you'll need:
• New springs (match the color code on the existing ones—that's the spring's weight rating)
• Winding bars (for torsion—but we said no)
• C-clamps to lock the door in place
• Socket wrenches
• Safety glasses and gloves
For torsion springs, you'd need winding bars, but again, don't go there.
If you have extension springs and you're confident, here's the process. But remember, this is dangerous. If you doubt yourself at any point, stop and call a pro.
Step 1: Disconnect the opener. Pull the release cord to disengage the opener. This prevents the motor from suddenly engaging.
Step 2: Secure the door. Use C-clamps on the tracks just above the rollers to lock the door in place. You don't want the door to move while you're working.
Step 3: Relieve tension. With the door closed, the spring is relaxed. But if the door is open, the spring is stretched. So close the door first. Then, use a socket wrench to loosen the bolts on the spring anchor bracket. Do not remove them completely—just loosen enough to release tension.
Step 4: Remove the old spring. Once tension is off, remove the bolts and slide the spring off the hook. Be careful—it may still have some tension.
Step 5: Install the new spring. Slide the new spring onto the hook. Make sure the color code matches. Reattach the bolts and tighten them securely.
Step 6: Reconnect the opener. Remove the C-clamps and re-engage the opener. Test the door manually first, then with the opener.
That's it. But here's the thing—most homeowners don't have the right tools or the experience. And if you mess up, you could damage the door, the tracks, or yourself.
Torsion springs are wound tightly. To replace them, you need to wind the new spring with winding bars, which requires precise technique. If you don't wind it enough, the spring won't balance the door. If you wind it too much, it can snap and cause catastrophic injury.
Plus, torsion springs are rated by cycle life. A cheap spring might last 5,000 cycles (about 2-3 years for a busy family). A high-quality spring can last 20,000 cycles. We use only the best because we don't want to come back in two years.
Living by the ocean means your garage door components face constant salt and moisture. That's why we recommend stainless steel springs or springs with a heavy-duty coating. They cost a bit more but last much longer in our coastal climate.
Also, check your cables and pulleys while you're at it. Salt air can weaken cables, and a snapped cable is just as dangerous as a broken spring.
Here's the bottom line: If you have torsion springs, call us. If you have extension springs but you're not 100% sure what you're doing, call us. If you're in Redondo Beach or nearby, we're your local experts. We've replaced thousands of springs, and we've seen the damage that DIY attempts can cause.
We're licensed, insured, and we offer same-day service. We'll fix your spring right, with a warranty, and we'll make sure your door is balanced and safe.
Don't risk your safety to save a few bucks. A broken garage door spring is a serious issue. Call us today at (310) 555-0199 for a free estimate. We'll have your door running smoothly in no time.
Remember, your garage door is the largest moving part of your home. Treat it with respect. And if you're ever in doubt, we're just a phone call away.