[Hope2b]

My garage door opener started making terrible noises and the chain was not moving so this morning I went to the Service Directory section of the Daily Sun . I chose Central Florida Garage Doors to call. A real person answered the phone and said a repairman would be here today between 1 and 4. At 2pm he arrived. I was sure I needed to replace the opener but he said no just a gear. Cost $85 to fix. $85 is much better then the cost of a new one. I mentioned that I was unable to program my keypad on the door. He said if it was not broken he could take care of it. Asked if the one in the car was programed--no. Anyway, he has all my remotes programed and working!!! Charged me no extra for that. Phone number is 352-694-4335. I highly recomment them.

[chuckinca]

Similar happened to us about two months ago - ended up paying the guy $750 for a new 3/4 HP opener and replacing the tension springs (I knew they go out in about 7 years and ours was 8 years old and when he mentioned they needed replacement I said do it)(don't walk under the garage door when it is moving - it could be your unlucky day if the spring broke and the door fell on you) He sprayed the rollers with silicon and you can't even hear the door open anymore - that was worth a few bucks! He said to spray them once a month.
He set the wife's car garage door opener to the new equipment and included a exterior wall mounted remote opener. Also, the interior push button operator is digital and includes a clock and temperature display and a button the turn on the lights on the unit.

It was very pricey but we definitely got a much better system. Plus I can walk under the moving door for the next few years without fearing that the sky will fall on my head.

Hope 2b: Thanks for sharing - Good info

[Hope2b]

The man who came to fix ours said the opener gears usually last 7 years too and he said our opener was only 5 years old. When he took the cover off it looked like it had snowed in there. There was a heap of chewed up white plastic. We have lived here a year and it works quieter and smoother then it ever did before.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by Hope2b

The man who came to fix ours said the opener gears usually last 7 years too and he said our opener was only 5 years old. When he took the cover off it looked like it had snowed in there. There was a heap of chewed up white plastic. We have lived here a year and it works quieter and smoother then it ever did before.

Hope2b:

The Tension Springs go out in 7 years also. That's the large spring on the steel rods that is above the door when it is closed.

[punkpup]

I'm curious, other than monthly silicone spraying of the rollers are there any other pieces of the mechanism which an owner can fix or maintain on a regular basis which will extend the life of the door?

Automatic garage door parts can be purchased at stores like Home Depot and Lowes but I'm wondering if things like springs and rollers can be changed easily by an end user?

[l2ridehd]

Most GD maintenance can be done by the homeowner and the life will be extended. One thing that everyone should do is tighten all the nuts holding the door together about once a year. Over time the door going up and down many times tend to cause them to loosen up. This causes the door to get slightly out of square and not move as smoothly. By tightening these nuts and bolts it puts the door back in square and makes it move more easier and quieter. Just take a wrench and bring them to snug plus a half turn. Make sure you do this while the door is down.

It is possible for a home owner to replace springs rollers etc. as I have done it. But would not suggest springs unless you are somewhat handy. Bring the door up which removes most of the tension on the spring and make sure you lock it in place with clamps and clamp some thing in the tracks to prevent the door from coming down before attempting to replace springs. Vice grips on the track an inch below the raised door work well. Springs are color coded for tension so make sure you replace like for like. Also new springs require the travel and down pressure to be adjusted as they may have slightly different tension ability. These are usually on the back of the door motor control. Again this is not a hard job, but probably not for everyone.

[Hope2b]

Originally Posted by chuckinca

Hope2b:

The Tension Springs go out in 7 years also. That's the large spring on the steel rods that is above the door when it is closed.

Sounds like 7 years is the magic number for the length of time the opener will survive. As for parts from Lowe's or Home Depot -- my husband was a workaholic BUT upon retiring he retired and quit fixing anything. :'(

[chuckinca]

Silicone spray the springs also.

Not a good idea for a rookie to try to replace the spring (or springs - two are better than one) as it can be a dangerous job.

Most garage doors have warning stickers about required periodic maintenance.

[punkpup]

Thank you Chuckinca, l2ridehd & Hope2b,

When I get ready to do the GD maintenance I'll be sure to invite you all over. l2ridehd can coach, Chuckinca can say, "I told you this wasn't a job for amateurs" and Hope2b can lend support.

***Chuckinca, you are absolutely correct that those springs can be dangerous if mishandled! I definitely wouldn't attempt to replace them by myself!