Replacing two garage door torsion springs costs between $350 and $700 on average, including parts and professional labor. DIY replacement brings the cost down to about $70 to $150 for the pair of springs, though it requires specific tools and carries high safety risks.
We usually recommend replacing both torsion springs because they normally wear at the same rate, and they usually break within six months of each other. They wear out like car tires; only you can't tell from looking at them when they are ready to break.
Garage door torsion springs typically last between 6 to 12 years, which translates to about 10,000 to 15,000 open-and-close cycles. (One cycle equals opening and closing the door once).
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.
A garage door can still open if the spring is broken, but it takes a bit of manual effort. Trying to open it automatically with the opener could strain the motor or burn it out since the broken spring makes the door heavier to lift. We recommend not trying to open your garage door if it has a broken spring.
It usually ranges from £100-300 depending on your vehicle, and you can pay online.
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.
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.
Garage door torsion springs break primarily due to metal fatigue from normal wear and tear. Every time the door opens and closes, the metal coils wind and unwind. Over thousands of cycles, this repeated stress creates microscopic cracks within the steel until the spring eventually snaps.
Most residential garage doors have either one or two torsion springs mounted on a metal shaft above the door. Standard, lightweight, single-car doors usually use one spring, while heavier double-wide doors (16 ft wide and up) typically require two. Extra-heavy or custom wood doors may use three or four.
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.
The Cost of Replacing Just One Spring
In some cases, the uneven tension can even cause damage to your cables, drums, or opener. By replacing both springs together, you reset your system, ensuring balanced lifting power, maximum cycle life, and fewer repairs down the road.
Repairing garage doors, particularly replacing torsion springs, is dangerous work, whether you are a do-it-yourself homeowner or an experienced technician. It is impossible to cover every dangerous situation you may encounter.
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.
Garage door openers typically last between 10 to 15 years. With excellent maintenance and lighter usage, some high-quality models can reach 20 years. Several key factors determine how long your unit will last:
The best garage door opener brand depends on your priorities. For smart home integration and DIY installation, Chamberlain is the overall top choice. For ultimate reliability, quiet operation, and heavy-duty power, Genie is a top competitor. For professional-grade, premium security, LiftMaster is the industry standard.
Replacing or upgrading a garage door opener typically costs between $220 and $700, including both the device and installation. Note chain-driven openers, which are reliable but noisier, start at around $150 for the unit. High-end options include belt-driven or smart openers and can cost upwards of $500.
Most torsion springs last for 10,000 cycles. Depending on how frequently the door is activated, that could translate to nearly a decade or just a few years.
Yes, forcing a garage door open with a broken spring is a bad idea. The springs counterbalance the door, so when one breaks the full weight shifts to the door and the opener, which can strip gears, bend rails, fray cables, misalign tracks, crack panels, and burn out the motor.
FAQs about mechanic labour costs
Mechanic hourly rates in the UK range from around £60 per hour at a garage, or around £45 per hour with a mobile mechanic (although mobile mechanics will often charge a callout fee on top, of between £45–£85).
Yes, it is highly recommended to have a wheel alignment after replacing coil springs. The coil springs are significant to the vehicle's suspension system. A replacement can cause changes in the suspension's geometry, which can lead to misaligned wheels.