If you are in need of garage door repair Austin TX, you may want to consider learning how to replace a torsion spring. This article will cover the steps involved in returning the spring, including measuring the new spring’s inside diameter and removing the end drum from its bracket. It will also help you get the spring replacement process started in the most efficient manner possible. To begin, measure the inside diameter of the new spring using the measurement provided in this article. Or another option is you may look for Austin garage door spring replacement and hire a professional.
Table of Contents
Measure the Inside Diameter of a Torsion Spring
Before replacing broken springs, measure the inside diameter of your old one. Usually, the inside diameter is labeled on both the winding cone and stationary spring. For example, P200 indicates a two-inch inside diameter; OMI 1 3/4 indicates a one-and-a-half-inch inside diameter. To measure the inside diameter of the old spring, remove the tension on the broken spring and measure each of its parts. It should be within a 3/4-inch tolerance.
Next, you need to measure the length of the torsion coils. Again, use a ruler and tape measure. Place the measuring tape between each coil and measure to the nearest sixteenth inch. Note that the measurement might differ if the spring is not flat or has gaps between the coils. For this reason, you must round the size to the nearest one-sixth-inch increment.
Disconnect the Lift Cable from the Bracket
To begin replacing the springs, disconnect the cable drum and torsion shaft. Then slide the torsion bar toward the center bracket and remove the old spring. Next, install the new spring onto the torsion tube by sliding the cone toward the center bracket. Replace the center bearing plate with the new spring. Next, tighten the torsion tube using locking pliers. Once the new spring is installed, re-install the lift cable drum.
Before beginning, ensure all garage door cables are disconnected, and the door is in the down position. Then, adjust the springs to make them tighter. The door should be between the tracks to avoid damage to the cable and spring. To replace the garage door springs, ensure that the springs are the right length and weight for the garage door. If the springs aren’t the right size, replace them with the appropriate partner springs.
Disconnect the End Drum from the End Drum
Before attempting to replace the springs on your garage door, it’s essential to disassemble the door. Then, disconnect the end drum from the opener bracket. Filing the bearings on the end drum may be necessary, primarily if the set screws have raised metal. Next, disconnect the end drum from the opener bracket, if applicable. After that, disconnect the end drum from the other drum.
Once you’ve disconnected the end drum from the end drum, you can start replacing the springs. First, disconnect the lift cable from the bracket over the door’s opening. Then, disengage the end drum from the moveable pulley. Next, unscrew the axle bolt from the end drum. Then, unscrew the spring pulley. Now, thread the cable through the spring and back into the bracket. Make sure to stretch the cable about an inch or two.
Replace the End Drum with a New Torsion Spring
Remove the old torsion spring from the end drum of your garage door. Locate the paint-stained pieces on the end of the torsion spring. The red pieces should be placed on the left side of the shaft. The black pieces should be placed on the right side of the shaft. The new spring and drum must be placed on the left side of the shaft. The new torsion spring will have a red drum and black center bearing.
To replace the torsion spring, remove the stationary cone at either end of the shaft. Then, unscrew the spring bracket and slide the new torsion shaft from the spring to the shaft. Remove the old spring and bolts. The new spring should now be installed on the shaft. Be sure to replace the center bearing. It will help prevent the post and bearing from wearing out and be less likely to break.