Garage Door Springs

handy man88

I think I have a 100# garage door. It is 8' x 8'.

HD has springs rated for 90# or 110#.

Which would you go with for replacement and why?

(Amarr - Traditional Composite) - no specs

http://www.amarr.com/residential/bro...composite.html

jlhaslip

go with the higher rated ones even if you need to adjust their tension down instead of the lighter ones being cranked over-spec.

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handy man88

How are these springs adjusted?

WirelessG

If you don't know how to adjust them, then you should contact a service company. Those springs can be dangerous when tensioned.

jlhaslip

Couldn't agree more...

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SDC

Different strength springs are color coded. Match the correct color with the color you remove. Extension springs are not adjustable.
The adjustable ones they are talking about, I am guessing, are torsion springs, which are adjustable.
Make sure you install the safety cables in the springs.

http://ddmgaragedoors.com/springs/ga...or-springs.php

The door needs to be balanced, when you open the door half-way, it should stay put, not go up or go down. Then you will know it has the right tension.

handy man88

Thanks.

I do have extension springs. I was shocked to hear that they are adjustable, but after your explanation, I know they are not.

Where is the color coding generally found on the spring?

Also, with extension springs, do you think it's better to have less power or more power if there's not a direct load match?

Maintenance 6

Extension springs are rated for weight and length of travel. A spring on a 9 foot high door has to stretch farther than a that on a 7 foot high door. Also a 1-3/4" thick door will, of course, weigh more than a 1-3/8" door. The color code is a paint spot at or near the end of the spring. Could be blue, white, red, etc. Get the right color to match your door size and weight.

bob22

Extension springs are adjustable to a certain extent; the cable sheave can be lengthened or shortened to help with the door weight and balancing.
Once the springs are taken out of service, place a bathroom scale under the door when down to get the weight. This will help with spring selection. Be careful, the door will come down with great force when no springs are attached; use two people to help it shut with no kids or pets around!

bugmenot

This is a tough job, this helped alot http://howtofixstuff.blogspot.com/20...or-spring.html

Hardway

I agree!

Don't mess with them, they can get you bad!

lowvolter

ok...time for a "stupid DIY'er" story.

My first house...many many moons ago, when I was just a lad, I had a garage door spring break. So I bought the replacements and proceeded to attempt to install them. I figured this would be simple enough as I have always been a pretty handy guy. Well...I took off the broken one...no problem. Then I started to take off the other side that was still tensioned. I had NO CLUE what was about to happen.

You all know where I am going with this, but when I put my wrench on the nut....started to loosen it....all I can say is I am VERY LUCKY I was not in front of it and off to the side.

The wrench was sent at about 150 mph to the back of my garage, went through the sheetrock, through the insulation and through the siding.

After realizing I had just about died, I found my wrench in the backyard.

I look back now and really am glad the internet is here now lol.

I did get the new springs installed, and tensioned properly, but only after talking to some people that knew how to do it.

Just wanted to share