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.
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.
Measuring a spring accurately requires five key dimensions: wire diameter, outside diameter, overall length, number of coils, and wind direction. Always use a caliper for the most precise readings, especially for wire and diameter thickness.
At Express Garage Door Parts, we see mismatched garage door springs every single day. It's more common than most homeowners realize. While your door might still open and close with mismatched springs they can create serious balance issues, shorten the life of your parts, and even pose safety risks.
Measure the circumference of the cable drum, and measure the height of the garage door in inches. Divide the height of the garage door by the cable drum circumference, then add one. This is the number of turns that are on your spring.
The optimal spring for your door is going to give you the same lifespan whether you go with the perfectly sized option or if you went three sizes up and underwound it. Both will last roughly the same number of cycles before needing replacement. So really, trying to beef up your spring system isn't the smart play.
Yes, you can manually open a garage door with a broken spring, but it is extremely dangerous and requires significant physical effort. A standard garage door weighs between 100 to 350+ pounds, and the springs are specifically designed to bear that weight.
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.
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.
Measuring the Inner Diameter
Use the inside small jaws of the caliper and insert the jaws into the spring's helical coil to measure the spring's inner diameter. You can also calculate the spring's inner diameter (ID) by subtracting twice the wire diameter from the compression spring OD.
A standard garage door spring is typically a torsion spring mounted horizontally above the closed door. These springs counterbalance the door's weight through rotational force. Standard residential springs usually have an inside diameter of 134 or 222 inches and are rated for 10,000 cycles.
Installing springs that are too strong or too weak for your door's actual weight can lead to serious safety issues and damage your garage door system. Proper balance is essential for safe garage door operation and ensures the opener isn't doing more work than it was designed for.
A standard double garage door size—16 feet wide by 7 feet high—comfortably fits two average sedans, crossovers, or smaller SUVs. If you have a pair of full-size trucks or larger SUVs, the 16-foot width still works, but parking may require a touch more precision.
FINDING THE INSIDE DIAMETER (ID) OF A TORSION SPRING
The next step in measuring torsion springs is to determine the inside diameter (ID). With a tape measure or caliber, measure from inside spring coil to inside spring coil. The resulting measurement is the diameter of the spring.
At Express Garage Door Parts, we know from years of experience that replacing both springs at the same time is the safest, smartest, and most cost-effective choice. Your garage door works as a system, and when one spring goes, the other is never far behind.
It usually ranges from £100-300 depending on your vehicle, and you can pay online.
Yes, you can replace a garage door spring yourself if you are an experienced DIYer with the right tools, but it is highly dangerous. Springs are under immense tension. Mishandling them can lead to severe injury, property damage, or worse. Always prioritize safety by wearing protective gear and proceeding cautiously.
Yes, you can manually open a garage door with one broken spring, but it is extremely heavy (100–150+ lbs) and dangerous. Never use the automatic opener, as this can strip the gears or burn out the motor.
If your garage door isn't opening or closing properly, you may need to replace the door's springs. Garage door spring replacement costs $250 on average, with prices often ranging from $150 to $350 or more.
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.
Is it worth repairing a 20-year-old garage door opener? Generally, it's not. Garage door openers typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. A new opener is often a better purchase because it comes with updated safety features and runs more quietly.
The best garage door spring depends on your door's weight and your budget, but high-cycle oil-tempered torsion springs (minimum 16,000 to 25,000 cycles) are the industry standard for durability and longevity. Brands like DURA-LIFT and YOTOOLGDS are highly rated for DIY and replacement use.