You should not put a bigger, stronger spring on your garage door unless you have significantly increased the door's weight (e.g., by adding heavy custom wood or insulation). Garage door springs are meticulously calibrated to the exact dead weight of your door. Using the wrong-sized spring will cause the door to be severely unbalanced, which strains your opener and creates major safety hazards.
Not necessarily. Longer springs can be stronger, but strength isn't the only factor. The "right" spring depends on your door's weight, size, track configuration, and usage patterns.
Whatever the reason, mismatched springs are surprisingly common, but they are never ideal for long-term performance. Garage door springs are designed to work as a team, sharing the lifting load equally. When one spring is shorter, longer, thicker, or thinner than the other, the lifting forces become uneven.
Garage door torsion springs sit on a shaft above the door and use a twisting motion to provide lifting power. Extension springs stretch out along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. Torsion springs are generally safer, last longer, and provide smoother operation, while extension springs are more affordable upfront.
The length of the torsion spring often correlates with its life cycle. A longer spring doesn't just affect the door's operation; it can also indicate a longer lifespan, meaning fewer replacements over time.
If your garage door springs have lasted less than five years, or if you plan to live where you are for many years, you may want to try the extra long life torsion springs. By using larger springs, you can, in most cases, quadruple your spring life while only doubling the cost of the springs.
To measure a garage door torsion spring, you need three exact measurements: the wire size, the inside diameter, and the overall coil length. First, safely secure the door and fully release the tension or let the broken spring rest before measuring.
For a standard 7-foot-tall garage door, a torsion spring typically requires 7 to 7 34three-fourths𝟑𝟒 full turns (or about 28 to 31 quarter turns). The exact number largely depends on the specific door weight and the size of your cable drums.
A disadvantage is that torsion bars, unlike coil springs, usually cannot provide a progressive spring rate.
There is no single "standard" spring size for a 16x7 garage door. The exact size (wire thickness, inside diameter, and length) depends entirely on the total weight of the garage door. Most 16x7 doors weigh between 130 and 250 lbs and use a pair of two springs.
Garage door springs typically last 7 to 12 years, or about 10,000 opening and closing cycles. Because springs are rated by cycles (one full open and close) rather than calendar years, their actual lifespan largely depends on your daily usage, climate, and maintenance.
To measure an extension spring accurately, you need five core dimensions: wire diameter, outside diameter, body length, free length, and loop/hook style. Always use a Dial Caliper or micrometer for the highest precision.
No, you should not use standard WD-40 on garage door springs. Standard WD-40 is a water displacer and degreaser, not a lubricant. It will wash away existing grease, cause the springs to dry out, and can even attract dust and dirt.
The most common reason is a broken spring. Without it, the opener can't lift the heavy weight of the door. Look for a torsion spring split in half, an extension spring stretched or broken, or test a TorqueMaster system by manually lifting the door. If it feels very heavy, the spring is broken.
If the spring is too strong or too large, it will exert too much pull on the door and keep it higher than it should be. For instance, a closed door won't be able to stay on the floor, while a door that's supposed to be opened halfway will be higher up.
No two garage doors are exactly alike, which is why spring repair pricing can differ from one home to another. Factors such as door weight, spring type, and installation complexity all play a role. Local labor rates, service availability, and the urgency of the repair also influence cost.
It usually ranges from £100-300 depending on your vehicle, and you can pay online.
The best garage door springs depend on your system, but DURA-LIFT Torsion Springs (coated steel) and Wayne Dalton TorqueMaster (for specific proprietary systems) are widely considered top-tier choices. Torsion springs are safer and last longer than extension springs.
To check if your garage door springs are properly adjusted, disengage the opener and manually operate the door. A perfectly balanced door will take under 10 pounds of effort to lift and will remain stationary at any height. If the door slams shut or flies open, the springs require adjustment.
If you are ordering replacement garage door springs, however, we recommend using springs that are matched. The main reason is to maximize cycle life. Unmatched springs will usually have one with a shorter cycle life that will break first.
To measure a garage door torsion spring for a replacement, you must gather three exact measurements: wire size, inside diameter, and total length. Warning: Garage door springs are under extreme tension; if a spring is still intact and under tension, do not attempt to measure or adjust it.
Yes, garage door spring length absolutely matters. The length, combined with the wire gauge and inside diameter, determines the spring's lifting capacity (IPPT) and its lifespan.
A standard 7-foot garage door requires about 7.5 to 8 full turns (or about 30 to 31 quarter turns) on the torsion spring.
No, garage door springs are not universal. Each door requires a spring to counterbalance its weight, ensuring safe and smooth operation. Selecting the correct spring involves measuring the wire gauge, inside diameter, and overall length and understanding wind direction.