Use pry bars to lift the door from the bottom opening, making sure to synchronize your movements. Using two 6-foot ladders placed on either side of the door, position yourself at one end and a friend or neighbor at the other. When opening a door with a broken spring, use extreme caution to make sure no one gets injured. How to open a garage door with a broken spring Both use tension to raise and release a garage door seamlessly, however, since torsion springs are considered to be safer and easier to repair and adjust, many professionals suggest switching extension spring systems over to torsion springs. Extension springs employ an older technology to guide wheels and pulleys up a garage door's track. It allows a door to open through the use of winding tension and pressure, creating a spring-loaded effect. What is a torsion spring used for? Extension springs?Ī torsion spring is a commonly used, high-tension spring mechanism in modern garage doors. After you've done this, you will have all the information you need to order a new spring. Finally, you need to measure the entire length of the coil that needs to be replaced. Next, you want to measure the inside of the coil's diameter, rounding up to within 1/16 of an inch. If it points counter-clockwise, it points to the right. A clockwise-pointing end means that your spring winds to the left. To correctly measure a torsion spring, first look at one of its ends to determine its wind direction. For instance, if your door is 7 feet in height, you'll want to add a half-turn to that number, making a total of 7 and ½ turns. However, if you're set on replacing your own spring, you'll be able to judge the appropriate number of turns based on the height of your door. Because torsion springs employ a high degree of tension, their replacement can be a dangerous task for homeowners without the proper training or experience. The general rule, when it comes to replacing torsion springs, is to leave it to a professional. How many times do you turn a garage door spring? Begin by finding out what type of spring your door uses and work from there. While many doors employ a torsion spring mechanism, some use an extension spring, which is much less costly to repair. Labor for this particular job costs about $75. The overall cost for replacement ranges from about $75-135 for each spring. Cost also depends on factors of size and diameter. How much does it cost to replace a garage door spring?ĭepending on whether your model uses a torsion spring or an extension spring, the cost of spring replacement may vary. Read on to find out how you can address common problems with your garage door spring. If it begins to fail, you might notice changes in your door's mobility, which could lead to more serious problems if left unchecked. Most garage door models employ a spring mechanism to aid their basic function. If you're experiencing an issue with opening and closing your garage door, you may be dealing with a broken or damaged spring.