[edselsouth1]

I am installing a roll up 4 section (8'w x 7'h) garage door. This door uses a torsion spring above the door opening. This spring is 28" in length, vs. the 25" spring on a similar door (same size and weight). The 25" spring requires 7 full turns to obtain the proper balance to easily open and close the door. Would the 28" spring require more full turns to obtain the same end result. With the 28" spring set at 7 full turns, the door will raise a little over 1/2 of the total height needed. The springs are the same in all dimensions, except for length. A picture of the type of spring is enclosed. Thanks, David.

 

[firehawkmph]

The spring wire diameter varies between springs, along with their length. If after winding 7 turns the door will only go up halfway, the spring is too light. If the old spring worked, match it up with a new one. Garage door supplier can do this, but most times they won't sell to a homeowner. You need the correct spring for the door, don't try to over wind a too light spring. Door has to balance roughly 4' up. Should rest in that position without falling down or going up on its own. After that it should hold itself in the up position without drooping much.
Mike Hawkins:smile:

 

[edselsouth1]

firehawkmph..... The door will only go up about half way, without too much effort. The main garage door has a spring 25" in length, wound 7-1/2 full turns, and does fine. The second door is identical to the first, with a 28" long spring, wound 7-1/2 turns, and does not have the same result. The springs have identical wire diameter, and inside diameters, the length is the variable.
Both doors and associated hardware are less than a year old, and were given to me when a friend replaced his garage doors after a remodel. He went to a 20' wide single door. He wasn't the installer, so he does not know why the difference in spring length, or the specifics of the install. I have just assumed that the longer spring would require more turns to get the proper balance for opening and closing. I'm going to try to tighten the spring a couple of more turns. If it doesn't work properly then, I'll see about a 25" spring (USA product) from an on-line supplier.
You are so right...door companies (at least in this area) do not like to sell anything to a customer, unless they can sell the entire package, and install it also.
Thanks for your insight.
David.

 

[firehawkmph]

That spring in the pic looks a bit older to me. Never had one kink up like that. If that's the one you're using, oil it up with something other than WD40. Try the extra turn or two and see what happens. The garage door suppliers not selling to the public is two fold: one, they don't want to piss off the contractors who hey sell to, and more so, it's a big liability issue for them. People get hurt pretty easy trying to wind springs. Hope you have winding bars, not screwdrivers.
Mike Hawkins:smile:

 

[edselsouth1]

firehawkmph.... The spring in the pic is only to show the type of spring being used. That spring is absolutely junk, and goes to the scrap pile. The end opposite the winder is over the end cone more than it should be, that is why it is a candidate for the scrap pile.
The spring I am using is fairly new (about a year or less), so should not have any condition issues.
Too cool to work on the door today, maybe on Sat. I have two winding bars, one 12", and one about 16". Not too much room to maneuver either one. Slow going, but it will get done. I'll keep you apprised of the progress.

Thanks,
David.