Replacing a garage door spring costs between $200 and $500 on average, including both parts and labor. If your setup requires replacing both springs, expect the total to fall between $300 and $700.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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 break every 7 to 12 years on average. Instead of time, their lifespan is measured in "cycles" (one cycle = one full open and close). Most standard springs are rated for 10,000 cycles.
A front coil springs replacement on average takes around 2 hours, but can take anywhere from just over 1 hour to 3 hours. A rear coil springs replacement takes on average 1 hour, but can take up to around 1.5 hours.
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.
It usually ranges from £100-300 depending on your vehicle, and you can pay online.
Yes—replace both garage door springs at the same time. Springs work as a pair and wear down at the same rate. Installing a new spring alongside an older one can lead to imbalance, uneven strain on the door, and premature failure of the new spring.
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.
Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly. DIY spring repair often leads to accidents, improper installation, or further damage to the door system. Specialized tools and experience are required to safely replace or adjust springs.
Average Cost of Garage Door Spring Replacement
The average cost to replace a garage door spring runs $150 to $350 per spring, including labor. If your garage door has two springs, you can usually expect to pay $300 to $700 total. Garage door spring replacement is one of the most common garage door repairs.
The cost of a coil spring replacement in the UK is between £180 and £300. The cost of replacing the front coil springs is around £220, while it's a little cheaper at £180 for the rear coil springs. Different garages and dealerships charge different rates, so it's worth shopping around to find the best price.
It is not advisable to keep driving with a broken spring. It should only be done to reach a nearby garage. A broken spring reduces the stability of the vehicle and can affect braking, steering and overall control. Even at lower speeds, the suspension system will not perform as designed.
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.
A bad or broken garage door spring is usually identified by a loud bang (like a firecracker), a visible 1–2 inch gap in the coils, or the door feeling extremely heavy and failing to open more than a few inches. The opener may run but struggle to lift the door, which may also slam shut.
Metal Contracts in Low Temperatures
Garage door springs are made of tightly wound steel, which naturally contracts when exposed to cold air. As the metal contracts, the spring becomes more brittle and less flexible—making it more susceptible to breaking under tension.
Garage door springs break primarily due to metal fatigue from normal wear and tear over thousands of cycles. However, this lifespan can be significantly shortened by rust and corrosion, lack of routine lubrication, extreme weather fluctuations, or the door being overloaded.
Do not use the automatic garage door opener, as this can severely strip the gears or damage the door's top panels. To safely close a door with a broken spring: disengage the opener, use a helper to control its descent, and lock the door in place.
Can I run my garage door without springs? No. Springs are what balance the door's weight. Without them, your opener will fail quickly or you'll be stuck lifting hundreds of pounds manually.