Garage Door Torsion Spring Replacement How To

Venmo tip jar: @AndrewDIY
It's not a complicated job, but it has to be done in the right order.
Torsion Springs on Amazon: amzn.to/2geszLy
Make sure you have the correct tools and proper size torsion springs or you will have potentially dangerous results. Also, watch other videos and read from progressional sites to get a better understanding of the process before you begin. Let me know if you have any questions & thanks for watching. Good Luck!

[@tigerseye73]

Once you have it all back together and before you plug opener back into receptacle, you should pull the manual release handle and manually lift the door open by hand. Test to see that the springs just balance the weight of the door. It should take very little effort to open it by hand, and the door should basically hang at middle open position without wanting to lift or drop by itself. If it fails the test, the springs require minor and equal amounts of adjustment.

[@gw5309]

Makes sense! Thanks!

[@danielwake2430]

This is a decent explanation coming from a nonprofessional. Some of the information is not how we'd explain it, but if you have a standard garage setup this wont get you hurt. Instead of counting each quarter turn, understand that the standard 4" residential drum retracts 1ft of cable for one full rotation of the shaft, so measure the height of the door opening. For a 7ft door, you need 7 full turns plus a half turn to keep tension on the cables when the door is in the open position. Take a bright colored crayon and draw a line down the center of the new spring. This will allow you to visually count full turns. You dont count where the line begins at the center bearing plate. If you have a 12 point 7/16ths shallow socket, you will have an easier time with the set screws. Also if the plastic bushing isnt damaged, there's no reason to replace it unless you just want to. It bears no real load, and just centers shaft.

[@wtfmanicanthaveaname]

appreciate the video...just closed my garage door and heard a BOOM and KNEW what it was...you saved me some money since the springs themselves are only 20-25 a piece.

[@lockm560]

I was very apprehensive about replacing my garage door springs myself. I watched your video last night and replaced them today! Thank you very much for the video!

[@tiehut]

before hooking up to garage opener, you should open garage by hand to make sure it opens with very little effort

[@STLkev1]

Two weeks before Christmas and one of mine just broke. I'm sensing a theme here. Thank you for making it clear how dangerous it can be. I had always heard it was dangerous but knowing what to watch for makes it something I think I am sure I can tackle.

[@RCCola-sr8wg]

Had it done in 80 minutes and saved $300. Thanks a lot!

[@mikemcguire7094]

Thanks for posting this. I saved about $200 by buying the torsion springs and replacement kit online and replacing them myself. I watched this video as well as others, and it helped me know what to do and avoid problems.

[@lightrain100]

Damn

[@juniorfuentes7946]

i was quoted $1,100 for a replacement.

[@bjorntd45]

Thank you. Called a guy and was quoted 250$. Total parts needed 70$. I already had my dads bar winders. I followed your instruction and what I remembered from the one time I helped my dad and I was done in 90 minutes.

[@timsondag6056]

Good video. I’ve been able to gain the confidence and experience to feel comfortable changing my extended families broken springs. Take your time!

[@uvaldolimon1387]

Thanks a million for the video. I know it can take a long time to do but I presume you have a grand heart so your intentions have well surpassed my new found knowledge of torsion springs. Hope you have a wonderful day and as my mother says "may God compensate you"--- loose translation from spanish

[@AndrewDIY]

Very kind words. Thank you. And you're very welcome. I'm glad the video helped.

[@carp9111]

20-30 minutes but I've been doing it for 19 years.

[@nysalsero77]

Thank you for this! Saved a few hundred and did it myself. Followed it step by step. You got a new subscriber!

[@nab243]

Great video. Very helpful. Helped me realize calling someone to do it makes more sense for me lol

[@Framster]

Thanks. Exactly my situation. It broke yesterday (just before Christmas) and the break in the video looks just like mine. But at -16C didn't want to touch freezing cold steel, with one side under tension. So I called a pro. Thanks for taking the time to put this up.

[@mcarrusa]

How much did the pro charge to do it?

[@pkiknex]

Adding a tip I saw from a garage door site; a good base on how much to wind a new spring is (4 quarter turns per foot of door height) plus two. So a 7 foot tall door would be (4 x 7) + 2 = (28) + 2 = 30 quarter turns. After that, it's advised to perform the halfway balance test, and add/subtract single quarter turns as needed. Add a turn if the door wants to fall down, subtract if it wants to go up.

[@sleepyBear33]

Does that take insulated doors into account? If not you may need a few extra rotations on each spring to account for the extra weight.

[@williamtell2496]

Sounds like my story only it is the right side that broke facing the door from inside. 6 days before Christmas!!I am a Maintenance Tech so I am confident in doing this repair myself.Thank you very much for this video.Very informative.Now to Get er done!!

[@getsome5012]

Thanks just did this and everything went well. I also replaced the cables. The 2 bars I went to Home Depot and purchased a 36" long 1/2" steel bar then cut it in half with a hack saw. Fit perfectly. Also needed a file to file down some burrs on pipe. My bearings were good but I wish I would have replaced them also. Thanks for the video great help.

[@maroguy]

Menards sells the bars for 9$ cut and ready to go

[@civednoel1388]

I have the same exact set up and it's funny because I have the same side of the spring broke on me. Thank you for the video. This saves a lot of money and it's really not that hard.

[@anudeeptoora]

awesome video, explains everything nicely. thanks

[@dennychristensen7418]

So I had to fix my garage door and short on cash so I went with the cheapest fastest way about it. My spring broke just 2.75 inches from end. I just setup -minus the 2.75 inches. Problem is I also installed brand new garage door opener and hardware and it took me 2 days. Just fine tuning it now. I have a wood door double car door very heavy. Thanks for your tips I will apply to my fine tuning tomorrow. : )

[@Johnnylove15]

This video is pretty good at the process. I’ll add at 11:40 time when you say too much or too little can mess up the door…you left out the most critical sentences. Too few turns and the garage door is too heavy and won’t open …also ith too few turns the cable will come off the pulley on the rod when open. Too many turns and the door goes up too fast and too far --and won’t go back down right due to too much tension. Thanks. No video describes this critical knowledge. Have a great day. Thanks for posting.

[@FLYAGI]

Dead on for what I needed. When I took the old springs off...one was missing the plastic bushing and that is the side that broke. Great video and instructions.

[@alphagrizzly]

FLYAGI there’s only 1 bearing installed. Ever. You don’t need 2

[@troygensemer4453]

Impressive im actually a garage door tech and your video was very easy I use it to show guys how to remove I need to learn how to put videos up and do other varieties of door springs n things

[@AndrewDIY]

Awesome!

[@karmafields6229]

Its videos like this that help make the interweb valuable. Thank you sir 👍

[@andresmancillad7614]

Thank goodness for guys like you saved me $$ god bless you!

[@hungle55901]

Great video. I really appreciated. My left one just broke so I have to replace one too.

[@nszczepanski1]

"unplug the garage door opener so nothing stupid happens" - I laughed so hard at this comment I was crying! Great video and very entertaining.

[@heroknaderi]

Thank you for taking your time making this video. I enjoyed it. and Happy holidays.

[@anatoliyburchak154]

This video was helpful and informative thank you for your time

[@southboundsuarez9832]

Hey thanks for video. Glad I watched it before something stupid happened!

[@delawareteacher1182]

Good video, my Amazon order arrives tomorrow.

[@TimReed777]

Thanks! This video helped me to replace by broken garage door spring... without killing myself.

[@francomarco2684]

THANK YOU... PERFECT. VERY CLEAR TO UNDERSTAND !

[@freedomisfromtruth]

Mark the bars when they are inserted to make sure the bar is seated, you can use masking tape, when its pushed in you'll only see tape

[@holtclark]

Very good amateur how-to video. Thanks

[@d-rockm354]

Great video. Thanks for posting.

[@bobbyfowler2487]

called a garage door company to fix my door that I bumped with my car. the guy looks at it, shakes his head and says well bud, I'm just going to be honest with you and say you need to replace the whole door for $1000.00. watched your video and went to work, total cost of 15 bucks. works better now than it every did!

[@chasepitts9149]

you probably cracked tf out of your panels, the sections are sheet steel and will deteriorate prematurely now, you're polishing a turd, 1000 is a great price for replacement LOL

[@danielwake2430]

This could also just be an unprofessional contractor capitalizing on your lack of knowledge.

[@rolandmeza9175]

Great video tutorial. Thank you!

[@randyragon]

The videos (not just this one) and instructions with the springs said 31 quarter turns (7 and 3/4 full turns) for a 7' door. Mine is a glass panel insulated door, no light weight. When all the settings were done and I released the door, it sprang up with enough force to lift my 220 lbs off the floor as I grabbed it to stop it from flying and crashing out the end. When I tried to use the opener to close it, it wouldn't because the spring force was too much to even get it a third down and it thought something was in the way. I grabbed on with the opener running to get it closed. Took a full turn off each spring (4 quarter turns) and it closed but the end was showing a bit of resistances. Took 2 more quarters off, disconnected from opener and was able to do my hand lift test where it was fine. The last doors I did was 25 years ago and I would put a scale under the door to weigh it, then look at a chart to find the correct number of turns. I thought that with so many references to 31 quarter turns that it was the new standard and compensated for the weight. Will always weigh and find that old chart in the future.

[@alphagrizzly]

Randy Ragon you have the wrong springs bud.

[@bysdto]

Great video. Thanks.

[@victorrose2734]

he's right about the danger. be careful wear safety glasses and gloves lots of sharp edges.

[@StylinP]

Thanks for this video! Great how-to !

[@fakku6356]

Thank you so much for the video

[@abdullahbinhilal4551]

Thanks it was very helpfull tutorial

[@davidtarkon1334]

thanks Andy

[@zenug]

Wow...just happened to me today, 2 days after Christmas...well the garage door is 11 years old...guess it's about time. Relativley easy fix, depending on the cost, will prolly get a pro for the guarantee

[@gmac1664]

Mark the rods with tape at the proper depth they are supposed to be set when inserted into the holes. This way you will be certain that they are set properly each time before adjusting. They can be dangerous or deadly as he mentioned. Be safe!

[@chrisehresman8198]

Good tip! I like it... you just helped me be a little bit more safe!😁

[@paulskvorc7021]

Thank you.

[@shakeyperspective3981]

Great video! Does the torsion rods ship with the purchase of the torsion springs? Thank you.

[@demeaningplebny1363]

A word to the wise. This is the sort of job where, even if you are a pretty experienced DIY'r, you must seriously ask yourself a couple questions: 1. Can I do this? The answer may be yes, because it is not a terribly complex job. But, there is a more important question. 2. _Should you?_ Guys, that big spring is under more tension than you may be expecting, and people get seriously injured trying to do this. I'm talking even fractured skulls. A trip to the ER is going to be a heck of a lot more expensive than paying someone experienced (and insured) to come and do it, and if you get hurt you may never be the same. If you decide to go for it, make sure to buy those bars. DO NOT try to use a screwdriver. And for godsakes don't let anybody stand around in the vicinity in case one of those bars goes flying. Not meaning to raise undue hysteria, but if you've never done this, just think twice. It's not real complicated, but things can go very badly wrong.

[@michaelwalker3920]

I had the company who installed the door come by and give me a quote for replacing the springs. $675 for 2 springs and according to the quote 2 hours labor. Yeah I’ll take my chances and spend $100 on springs and probably 45 minutes of my time. And yes the springs are under tension but I’m not working on commercial door springs which are huge and under enormous torsion.

[@demeaningplebny1363]

@@michaelwalker3920 A couple years ago I had to have my spring replaced. I called the company who installed the door. It was $225 installed, but mine is just a 1 car garage. Rates might depend on the part of the country you live in, too. I personally knew a guy who decided to DIY his residential door. Things went bad, he was struck by a bar and incurred a fractured skull. He recovered physically, but was never the same mentally. There is more, but it is not pretty. He died relatively young. This is why I say, think twice. I'm a moderately experienced DIY'r myself, but there are some tasks I will wisely pay a guy who does it 40 hrs/week to perform.

[@SheikShak]

Do u work for a garage company?

[@demeaningplebny1363]

@@SheikShak Do you work for Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi?

[@jessegutuerrez1506]

Hahaaa 3 days before Christmas and mine breaks also! Thanks for the great video.

[@donmack5806]

Outstanding Instructions. Easy fix! Made it easy for me and saved me dollars.... Thank you!

[@KenDoit]

thank you!

[@jmead2294]

Home Depot now sells the springs. I just picked mine up at Lowes.

[@simplelangperorock]

well done chief.

[@pingpongowo]

Here I am just before Christmas too

[@Ryan-mx4ll]

Red goes on left bud. Red is not right. Easy to remember that way. It's right-wound but it goes on the left side (facing you). Another way to tell which side is the end of the coil should always point down - towards the floor. Sometimes the paint is wrong, apparently. Learned that today, my first training day at a professional garage door company. Had to disassemble and install 2 new doors. After two full days of OSHA videos of course. Lol. Doing the springs today definitely made me nervous. I'm sure I'll get much more comfortable with time.

[@chrisehresman8198]

When looking out... he explained it backwards.

[@jakefriesenjake]

​@@chrisehresman8198yup

[@jstrohsahl]

Just replaced both side tracks, rollers and cables. I've watch other videos as well and for a 16 X 7 simple double door, 31 quarter turns seems to be the number. However one video was for a single spring and yours was for 2 springs. Does this number of turns work for both doors?

[@willythehero88]

I have viewed other YT clips on this topic and noticed that only you, so far, pointed out that the positions of the springs were based on the perspective of viewing the garage door from the exterior. So, the spring with the red mark on its cone goes on the right and the one with the black mark goes on the left; it appears opposite from the interior (red mark on the left, black mark on the right). This was rather confusing when I began learning this material. And you were wise to recommend doing further research on this topic because there were a few details that you overlooked. Aside from this, nice overview of what to expect.

[@jakefriesenjake]

Yeah like doing the actual hand test

[@davidgruenwald9540]

Orchard Supply stores in CA sells them.

[@joequillun7790]

Love the disclaimer. (LOL) you must be a lawyer. Thanks for posting.

[@POLYBEARSNM33]

how do you know what dimensions are the springs? where do you measure from? Thank you.

[@therealhtown1915]

wow this is crazy this just happened to rig bg before Christmas

[@cskye6529]

Where does the torsion spring bearing mount to? One end of the torsion spring?

[@triviumd13]

If you live in the Midwest, Menards sells torsion springs

[@daakrolb]

And even if you don't live in the midwest Menards still sells torsion springs.

[@jeffbrown265]

Menards sold me both sides RW & LW while putting up I noticed the RW side was saggy; it was used. So I took it back and switched out for a new one, RW on the box writing on spring un-readable. Has black paint on end IT WAS A LW also. My whole day spent running back-n-forth.....

[@andreybalanchuk8387]

Any reason for replacing springs with door closed? Assuming you can make enough clearance between bottom of the door (in upper position) and the rod. There's also less (or even none) tension to release/load.

[@kram03yout]

Where can you buy proper torsion rods?

[@MySpace662]

Four quarter turns completes a revolution which equals a foot, for a 7' door it will be 28 turns on the spring + an additional turn, if the garage door still comes down when lifted manually. too many turns causes the springs to bind and weaken very soon.

[@shidamwasapili9452]

safii sana na Mimi nitatengeneza in Tanzania

[@otiliam2306]

Great video, thanks. How much torque should you expect when unwinding with the rod. Do you have to be very strong, can you give me a comparison. thanks

[@jakefriesenjake]

If you think you are weak, use longer steel rods. I used a few 3/8" ratchet extensions, stacked together.

[@alumahomeinspections7009]

Common sense show me that these spings must be more strong to balance the door. Can you figure out the spring size need it?. Thank you very much for your advice

[@rogerpeterson4505]

You need to check the door for proper balance by placing it at various heights. The door should not move. If it drops, add a turn to each side. If it rises, remove a turn. Repeat until balanced.

[@b8ascrub]

Can someone explain the spring sizes? I have a double spring setup and heard the installer used undersized springs from the start. What determine spring sizes?

[@michaelweston6083]

Garage door openers also have a backup battery so you may want to remove that too.

[@alphagrizzly]

Michael Weston best thing to do Is to Disconnect the trolly

[@chrisehresman8198]

Good explanation... a few safety things could be explained so that people don't get injured... I secured my main rod with multiple clamps just in case anything spins out.

[@d3et1roi3t]

My torsion spring has 114-22-0010 stamped on the cone. Also has green paint. Can you decipher this for me as I cannot find anything from google to match. Thanks in advance.

[@garagedoorrepairco3829]

When working with your Garage Door Repair solutions or answers to any questions, make sure you have the right tools too.

[@tomah50]

EXTREMELY helpful! But...where does the torsion spring bearing go?

[@JuiceboxHobbies]

Tom Alisankus in the middle of the two springs

[@gersonhernandez1517]

And if you only want to change a string, how do you do it to count the turns of the srping that is broken?

[@markchambers8641]

How do you tell which direction the spring gets tightened?

[@Barkeroni]

should you only do this in the spring season?

[@DailyRealness]

You do not have to get them online. Menards sells them as recommended by the door company. Make sure you get the right sizes. Phone them up with your serial number or contract number if you cannot find the stickers for the right size. Left is a different size than right.

[@blogengeezer4507]

Wound in the opposite direction.... Size is the same.

[@DailyRealness]

not my door.

[@l337pwnage]

I don't bother explaining the right hand by attributing it to looking in from the outside. I think that just confuses people. I simply say, "Right hand wind springs go on the left, and left hand wind springs go on the right, deal with it." ;) I also like to point out to people that the set screws should be 1/2 to 3/4 turns *after contact* as some people are prone to tightening things gorilla tight and that tube is easy to crush. Also, I like to mark the winding bar with tape at the correct depth so I can visually see that the bar is all the way in every time. And..if somebody _really_ wanted to, those plastic bearings can be replaced with metal ball bearings. All depends on how fancy you want to get. ;)

[@ClaudBol]

Do you have to use those torsion bars????

[@alumahomeinspections7009]

Hi, very interesting video and Thank you for posting! I got a double very heavy garage door (we are in hurricane zone) which is out of balance because is almost impossible to lift it manuanlly. I follwed your video and I found that I can't rotate the springs any more, they are totaled compressed. What should be the issue here, are the springs damaged, old and need to be replaced?. The whole garage door and lifting system was changed in 2015. Thank you

[@AndrewDIY]

My initial guess is that you have the wrong springs, but without being there to inspect I couldn't tell you. You could call a repair company and find out what they charge to just come out and look at it then go from there. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck and happy New Year!

[@jakefriesenjake]

Compressed like the long 1" rod is being squeezed by the spring like a boa snake?

[@mariamahler2032]

Happy

[@stevebubba224]

No the red cone spring goes on the left side if you are inside facing the door like when you are installing it

[@stevenorris6394]

Yeah it looks funky if you look at the cone ends ,,, but I just did mine and it works …

[@stevebubba224]

@@stevenorris6394 I don’t remember the video as it was 3 years ago but if the last spring coil by the winding cone is facing upwards then it’s on the correct side , cone could be the wrong color and it would be fine

[@jmachado6834]

🤣🤣🤣a few months ago I watched this video to replace my springs... but I replaced only 1 as I didn't want to take out a "perfectly good spring" and let it go to waste...so yup... I'm back, now to replace the other spring😅

[@clinteast7476]

Another tip is , put rod in hole, all the way, and mark rod with red marker, so you know its in full depth.

[@johnfrancis2227]

Before loosening, you should try to insert the "lower" bar, and let the bar rest on the door instead of holding it.

[@ernestorodriguez8367]

El mejor dios te bendiga

[@gkevineady49]

draw a chalk line the length of the new spring, and wind it 7.5 turns (for 2" i.d.). That will lift the door 7' IF you got the correct spring.

[@gkevineady49]

also (since end cones can be incorrect) be SURE that the blunt end of the spring points up, so as you wind it up you spread the spring automatically.

[@gkevineady49]

You might need a metal file for burs on the pole.

[@gkevineady49]

oil all bearings, and oil the new spring so it won't rust together.

[@JohnDoe-vn8zk]

What vise grips?.

[@HondaSnowblowerEnthusiasts311]

good video. question. what is the most likely danger? you did not elaborate. is it when you insert the torsion bar and loosen the 2 bolts? is that when the spring could release all tension? also on the side that is broken, does the spring still have tension or has it all expanded when it broke? thanks for this video. I'll watch some others .

[@callofdutyguy9]

anthony vanucci danger is when the spring slips with a winding bar still in it with a lot of tension. It can hit your hands and face or shoot the bar off like a projectile.

[@HondaSnowblowerEnthusiasts311]

I did it with no problems. was very careful. it's important to make sure the winding bar is inserted all the way so it won't slip out. if you take your time it shouldnt be a problem.

[@SheikShak]

Positioning yourself correctly….safety glass and gloves…keep the torsion bar fully in….concentrate….and everything would be ok….

[@ben2long97]

i ordered mine from Home Depot.

[@gkevineady49]

MOVE YOUR LADDER MORE THAN HE DID SO YOU CAN WORK SAFELY AND COMFORTABLY. and don't use a crescent wrench, use 3/8 open end.

[@gkevineady49]

and pull the red cord and try the door manually FIRST.

[@vincekhoo870]

Those two springs, do they work in tandem, i.e they are charged in the same direction? If they do, will they last longer than a single spring? Are there any different sizes of springs? Thank you.

[@MP-zf7kg]

-they work in tandem -almost always a dual-spring system. This is for balance and safety (a single-spring system might be used on a very light door) -there are many different sizes of springs. The size is dictated by the door's weight and height.

[@georgechoquette5735]

Do you recommend lubricating the spring to prevent corrosion? I think it is because of corrosion that these springs break.

[@MP-zf7kg]

typically yes, you should lubricate them. this isn't so much to resist corrosion as it is to reduce friction as the coils rub over one another. residential springs have a lifecycle of 10,000 cycles. operating your door just twice per day gets you over 700 cycles in one year. 4 times per day is over 1400 cycles...which means about 7 years.

[@KLondike5]

@@MP-zf7kg I've seen to rub oil within an inch of the cones so no slippage on the cones occurs.

[@TheSangerbanger]

Would this not be better to do with the door up and zero tension on the spring if you can reach it?

[@alphagrizzly]

Tim Sanger impossible to do with the door up buddy

[@bmm894]

They sell them at Menards and Home Depot by me