The squeaky wheel needs the grease.
 

When I open my garage it sounds like the unit needs some grease. I can look for a make and model number and google it I suppose but has anyone already lubed up their gears already? Do I need some special thick lubricant like wheel bearing grease?

[I'll bet you thought the title was a metaphor.]

I bought a spray lube made just for garage doors at home depot. Sorry, I don't remember the name, but the HD people will point you in the right direction. I was told not to use WD40.

Also, there was a previous thread on this exact subject with lots of info and some links.

1) clean all your tracks & wheel bearing with brake cleaning spray--use a white lithium spray grease on the bearings & the big springs on the top of the garage door--good video on youtube

Silicon Spray Lubricant.

Also use on window frames.


.

Motor oil
 

Many years ago the pro door installer told me to wipe the springs with motor oil. No problems with this and has worked great all the years. Not expensive.

That' a start....
 

That's a good start, but not enough. Actually, I don't do the cleaning step. I use white lithium spray grease (from Home Depot or Lowe's) on the TRACKS, with special attention to the curved sections, the WHEELS axle areas, and the HINGES on each door section.

I also spray grease on the DRIVE TRAIN of the opener and on the large overhead SPRINGS.

You should get immediate relief, and perhaps more in a few days. If there is still noise after a few days do a second treatment.

This works!

Wrong approach. The wheels are designed to roll in the tracks, not slide in them.

Yeah, but............
 

Wrong. They roll on the horizontal sections, across the top, but when they get to the curved sections, which I alluded to, the wheels press against the track, putting pressure on both the wheels and their axles. The pressure, which causes wear on the axles over time, is lessened if the track is lubricated.

This is true both as the door goes up and as it goes down.

Not a metaphor
 

OKay, you've brought out my pedantic side.

I didn't think the title was a metaphor for two reasons.

1. The correct saying is "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" not "needs" the grease.

2. In either case it would be an aphorism, or saying, not a metaphor. A metaphor makes a statement that is not literally true. For example, "The Moon was a bright silver dollar in the night sky" is a metaphor.

Okay. Pedantic side of me is closed......for now.

thank-you for the help
I found this video click here
The guy in the video recommends lithium. He said motor oil attracts dirt and WD 40 removes the lubricant. They both have their purpose but it doesn't sound like their best purpose is garage door lubrication.
In the video it mentions a powder coated spring not requiring any lubricant. My house was built 2 years ago---do you think they all have powder coated springs?

Our garage door guy uses pam

Does pam make house calls?

She's a slippery gal...

Simply use Canola oil spray on the hinges, roller bearings, and the chain. Tighten up the chain if necessary. DONE. Does not collect dirt and junk.