Should springs be lubricated?

Author: Dr. Lewis Skiles III  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

When used, springs often offer support, suspension and storing & absorbing of energy. With such critical functions, they need to be lubricated properly to perform efficiently.

Is WD-40 good for springs?

No offence but wd40 isn't a lubricant, it is a solvent or rust dissolver. Don't use it on springs.

Is it okay to use WD-40 on garage door springs?

WD-40 is a degreaser, which could remove remove lubricant and dry out the garage door springs. This can cause unnecessary friction in the springs and lead to early failure. While WD-40 has many valuable applications, it is not recommended to use it on your garage door's springs.

Do coil springs need lubrication?

Springs are often subject to high surface pressure, small movement or external influences. Lubricating them pays off in many cases.

Should you lubricate springs?

When used, springs often offer support, suspension and storing & absorbing of energy. With such critical functions, they need to be lubricated properly to perform efficiently.

How to Lube your Garage door

How many years do coil springs last?

There really is no set timeframe at which coil springs expire. A lot of coils last for the life of a vehicle, while others break down sooner.

Do garage door springs need maintenance?

Proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your garage door springs. Here's how to maintain them and know when professional help is needed. Apply Lubrication Regularly: Lubricating your garage door springs helps reduce friction and noise.

Can you over lubricate garage door?

There's no need to use too much of it – a single spray should be enough. Open and close your garage door to see if the garage door hinges are still making noises and apply additional lubrication as needed. If there's still a noise coming from them, you might need to replace your garage door hinges.

Where should you not use WD-40?

7 places to never use WD-40 — you'll be surprised
  • Hinges. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Bike chains. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Locks. (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
  • Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. ...
  • Sensitive electronics. ...
  • Wax polishes and some wax coatings. ...
  • Anything that comes into contact with food.

How can I make my garage door spring last longer?

How Can You Make Springs Last Longer?
  1. Keep rust and corrosion at bay. Regular lubrication plays a big role in preventing rust and corrosion, but it has to be done with the right lubricant. ...
  2. Keep your garage door properly balanced. ...
  3. Keep road salt out of your garage. ...
  4. Keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance.

Should you lubricate garage door tracks?

While most of the components of your garage door could use a little lubrication now and then, the tracks are a no-no. After cleaning all your garage door's infrastructure, panels and fittings, the parts you should lubricate are: Rollers. Hinges.

Why WD-40 is not use recommended as lubricating oil?

While most lubricants are formulated with antioxidant additives to provide this protection, in addition to any natural protection afforded by the use of synthetic base stocks, it appears from the MSDS sheet that WD40 does not contain such additives and would likely degrade and form sludge fairly rapidly if used at even ...

Is white lithium grease good for springs?

White lithium grease is thicker and lasts longer, making it the best lubricant for garage door springs in the majority of cases.

What is the best lubricant for garage door springs?

Silicone: Silicone lubricant is the ultimate solution for garage door maintenance. Formulated with high-quality silicone oil, it excels in providing long-lasting, all-weather lubrication that keeps garage doors running smoothly and quietly.

How much does it cost to lubricate a garage door?

An average technician's fee for garage door maintenance is about $85. Their services will include: Checking, lubricating, and tightening screws and hinges as needed. This costs about $5.

What is the life expectancy of a garage spring?

When properly installed, your springs can last approximately 10,000 cycles. One cycle includes both the opening and closing of the door. Technically speaking, your springs should last between 7 to 10 years. However, this depends on how often you use your garage door.

How to tell if garage door springs need to be replaced?

Here are five signs that a set of springs is ready to go.
  1. You Hear the Garage Door Opener Strain. ...
  2. The Door Slams Shut Without Warning. ...
  3. You Hear a Loud Popping Sound When the Door Is Closed. ...
  4. The Door Feels Heavier. ...
  5. You Can't Rest the Door in the Mid-Level Position.

What wears out a garage door opener?

Worn-out components and poor lubrication of the hinges, rollers and track could make an opener ineffective.

How to tell if springs are bad?

Warning Signs of Worn Springs
  1. Worn, smashed or missing jounce bumpers.
  2. Marks on the suspension stop where jounce bumper impacts.
  3. Excessive tire wear.
  4. Compromised handling or ride quality.
  5. Rust or corrosion on the springs.
  6. Inconsistent spring ramp angles or kinks.
  7. Excessive sagging, leaning or swaying (especially when loaded)

How much do new coil springs cost?

The average cost of a coil spring replacement in the UK is between £180 to £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.

When should springs be replaced?

Typically coil springs last 60,000 to 90,000 miles before they need to be replaced. However, they can break due to: Corrosion – To do their job, coil springs are constantly expanding and compressing.

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