Garage Spring Replacement Torsion Springs
When it comes to springs for your garage doors, there are two types of garage door springs, garage door torsion springs and garage door extension springs. Depending upon the size of your garage doors, there are various models and sizes of garage door torsion springs. Depending on your garage door installation you may have a torsion spring that passes through the middle of the spring or the shaft will contain the spring. If the shaft is a model that passes through the middle of your torsion spring, the spring may be mounted in the middle or on the end.
For your larger commercial garage doors, torsion springs can be as small as 1 3/4 inch and as large as 8 inches in diameter. For residential garage door torsion springs, you’re looking at sizes that range from 1 3/4 inch to 2 1/4 inch inside diameter springs. Of course, if you have custom-made wood garage doors that are heavier than most garage doors you may need a torsion spring that’s even larger.
At each end of your torsion springs, you have what’s referred to as cones. On one end of the torsion spring is the winding cone, on the opposite end of the torsion spring is a stationary cone that’s mounted to a bracket, which is attached to your garage door header to stabilize the torsion spring.
Garage Spring Replacement Torsion Springs
The other type of garage door spring is the extension spring. While torsion springs wind around a tube or inside a tube, garage door extension springs stretch as you close the garage door and contract back to their original size as you close the door. At one end of an extension spring is a pulley and on the other end is usually an S hook or an I bolt.
For one-piece garage doors that open up, you’ll usually have a shorter extension spring, but this spring is under much more pressure as they are wound tight. The shorter extension springs pull against a lever arm which allows your one-piece garage door to open smoothly. Contact G & G Garage Door for all your garage door installation and repair needs.
Ensuring The Safe Operation of Your Garage Door
Torsion Spring Wire Diameter
To determine the wire diameter of your torsion spring you need to measure 20 coils and divide that measurement by 20. The number you come up with is your torsion wire diameter. You must be very precise in your measurement, so measure at least two times to get the right size. The wire diameter may also be stamped on either side of the winding cone.
Torsion Spring Length
When measuring the total length of your torsion spring, be sure to not include the stationary cone or the winding cone in your measurement. Also, be sure that your torsion spring is in the un-coiled position to get an accurate measurement. The length of 20 coils is usually about 5 inches but it’s still important to measure to get an accurate reading so that you don’t order the wrong size.
Torsion Spring Inside Diameter
To get the inside diameter of the torsion spring measure from inside spring coil to inside spring coil. Almost all of the torsion springs in the US have an inside diameter of 2 inches, but you must still perform this measurement. Again, the inside diameter of your torsion spring may be etched into the cones or drums. A number such as 175 will refer to a 1 3/4 inch measurement.
Right or Left-Hand Wind
To ensure that you purchase the right spring for your garage door you must know if your torsion spring is a left-hand or right-hand wind. To determine which your torsion spring is simply look down directly from the top of the spring where the coiling begins. If the coil runs clockwise, your torsion spring is a right-hand wind, if it runs counter-clockwise it is a left-hand wind spring.
Adjusting Tension On Garage Door Springs
Having the proper tension on your torsion springs is essential for the operation of your garage door opener to open and close your garage doors correctly. If the spring isn’t balanced precisely the garage door may open at the wrong speed or it may open unevenly. While homeowners can adjust the tension on their garage door springs, we suggest that you call a professional garage door installation company to do the work for you. If not done properly, severe injury and possibly death may result. The torsion spring is the spiral tube-like spring that is mounted horizontally above your garage door. If you choose to adjust your torsion spring yourself you’ll need a steady ladder, some c-clamps, an adjustable wrench, masking tape, and two solid steel bars 12″ to 18″ in length. If you’d rather have G & G Garage Door adjust your torsion springs give us a call.
How Long Do Torsion Springs Last?
Generally, determining the life of your garage door depends on how often your garage is opened and closed. If you have a large family and you travel to and from school, work, sports, and other engagements, you obviously use your garage doors more often than a retiree or a single person. A good rule of thumb in determining the life of your garage torsion springs is 10,000 cycles. A cycle is opening and closing one time. Conservatively speaking, most garage door torsion springs will need to be replaced after 5 years. With that being said, ignoring your garage door springs is not something you should do. A great way to prevent your garage door springs from breaking is to perform regular inspections and maintain them properly. Schedule an appointment with G & G Garage Door for an inspection today.