[spinner1001]

Unless you know what you are doing, replacing overhead garage door springs can be very dangerous. A garage door spring has a lot of energy after winding one up. I have heard stories of homeowners going to the emergency room with deep, bloody cuts trying to do it themself. Winding up a door spring and slipping up makes for a bad day at the ER.

Also, lubricating garage door springs periodically will slow the rusting process and extend the life of the springs. Florida’s humidity leads to faster rusting than less humid climates.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by spinner1001

Unless you know what you are doing, replacing overhead garage door springs can be very dangerous. A garage door spring has a lot of energy after winding one up. I have heard stories of homeowners going to the emergency room with deep, bloody cuts trying to do it themself. Winding up a door spring and slipping up makes for a bad day at the ER.

Also, lubricating garage door springs periodically will slow the rusting process and extend the life of the springs. Florida’s humidity leads to faster rusting than less humid climates.

What lube?

[mrkorn12@aol.com]

Call Ryan O'Cull (352) 617 - 0522. Very honest, dependable, knowledgeable, and reasonably priced. He has done work for many neighbors and friends. He is extremely responsive. He will probably answer his phone; or, leave a message and he will return your call pretty quickly. BTW-- he was the one who told us that ROMAC installed incorrect springs on our garage door. ROMAC came out and replaced the incorrect springs at no charge.

[NoMo50]

Originally Posted by oneclickplus

Agreed. And they are easy to change on your own. Don't believe all the hoopla about how dangerous garage door springs can be. You change the spring(s) with the door open; that is, when there is no tension on the springs. Easy and safe - just follow instructions. Youtube is your friend. I have replaced garage door springs at least a dozen times in my life and I haven't spend $350 total to do all of them. My last time was this past September: $30 for pair of springs a Lowe's and couple of retention cables.

Buy the correct size springs for your door. It's all about the weight of the door. Your broken springs have a color painted on them. Buy springs with the same color as that indicates the load it is designed for. Springs are sold in pairs. Change them BOTH even if only one broke.

This post is referring to EXTENSION springs. The OP stated his door had a broken TORSION spring. Those are two very different components. Replacing extension springs is a cheap and easy DIY project. A torsion spring is another matter. Replacing and pre-tensioning a torsion spring can be a very dangerous job for some who doesn't know what they are doing. A simple slip of the hand can lead to a tool flying into your head with enough force and velocity to remove a chunk of your skull.

Just like any DIY job, if you are not confident in your skill set, get some quotes and let the pros handle it.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by buzzy

What lube?

I use white lithium spray-on grease. Don't use regular WD 40 because that is not a lubricant, it is a solvent. WD 40 does make a white lithium grease and you can order it from Amazon.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by spinner1001

Unless you know what you are doing, replacing overhead garage door springs can be very dangerous. A garage door spring has a lot of energy after winding one up. I have heard stories of homeowners going to the emergency room with deep, bloody cuts trying to do it themself. Winding up a door spring and slipping up makes for a bad day at the ER.

Also, lubricating garage door springs periodically will slow the rusting process and extend the life of the springs. Florida’s humidity leads to faster rusting than less humid climates.

I'm handy, but I wouldn't attempt it either.

[DonnaNi4os]

If one of those springs happens to break when you are nearby….we’ll, just imagine what could happen. I had to have mine replaced. I used Precision Door and they replace the springs as well as center control…basically everything. Mind you my house was only 2 years old when the opener failed. It cost me over $900! But it must say that the new opener is so much quieter than what was there.

[Heytubes]

You’re right about the danger. Years ago a neighbor was replacing the torsion spring and the rod kicked back and went into his eye socket. Now he’s missing that eye.

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by oneclickplus

Agreed. And they are easy to change on your own. Don't believe all the hoopla about how dangerous garage door springs can be. You change the spring(s) with the door open; that is, when there is no tension on the springs. Easy and safe - just follow instructions. Youtube is your friend. I have replaced garage door springs at least a dozen times in my life and I haven't spend $350 total to do all of them. My last time was this past September: $30 for pair of springs a Lowe's and couple of retention cables.

Buy the correct size springs for your door. It's all about the weight of the door. Your broken springs have a color painted on them. Buy springs with the same color as that indicates the load it is designed for. Springs are sold in pairs. Change them BOTH even if only one broke.

If you are speaking about a spring on each side of the rail that guides the door up and down then it is pretty easy. If you are speaking of the single spring above the door don't even think about doing it yourself. Pay the freight.

I see you said two springs but wanted to make my point and save someone a hospital trip.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Nucky

If you are speaking about a spring on each side of the rail that guides the door up and down then it is pretty easy. If you are speaking of the single spring above the door don't even think about doing it yourself. Pay the freight.

I see you said two springs but wanted to make my point and save someone a hospital trip.

Hey Buddy. My door has two overhead torsion springs that Ryan put in a couple of years ago. I agree nothing for us old guys to mess with.

[Sherry8bal]

First of all you don't know what the quality of those springs were on Amazon. These springs do break from lots of wear and it's better to have a specialist repair them. Those doors are heavy.

Also, don't you know how to pull the cord that disengages the garage door when this happens so you can manually open and close it? It's very easy to do. Then at least you can get out.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Sherry8bal

First of all you don't know what the quality of those springs were on Amazon. These springs do break from lots of wear and it's better to have a specialist repair them. Those doors are heavy.

Also, don't you know how to pull the cord that disengages the garage door when this happens so you can manually open and close it? It's very easy to do. Then at least you can get out.

Not necessarily. If one of the torsion springs breaks, it could be very difficult or impossible to raise the door manually. I know from experience.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by spinner1001

Also, lubricating garage door springs periodically will slow the rusting process and extend the life of the springs. Florida’s humidity leads to faster rusting than less humid climates.

I might add, it's the RUST that weakens the spring itself.
Keep them lubricated which keeps the rust off,

[Sailr303]

Originally Posted by oneclickplus

Agreed. And they are easy to change on your own. Don't believe all the hoopla about how dangerous garage door springs can be. You change the spring(s) with the door open; that is, when there is no tension on the springs. Easy and safe - just follow instructions. Youtube is your friend. I have replaced garage door springs at least a dozen times in my life and I haven't spend $350 total to do all of them. My last time was this past September: $30 for pair of springs a Lowe's and couple of retention cables.

Buy the correct size springs for your door. It's all about the weight of the door. Your broken springs have a color painted on them. Buy springs with the same color as that indicates the load it is designed for. Springs are sold in pairs. Change them BOTH even if only one broke.

I am sure that you are referring to EXTENSION Springs. I have changed many myself and always threaded a safety wire through each. TORSION springs cannot take a safety wire through them, and cannot easily be installed and charged by a layman. They also cost dramatically more than extension springs.