How-To Align Garage Door Cable | Torsion Cable | DIY Garage Door Repair

This video will show you how to repair a mis-aligned garage door cable. DIY garage door repair and save money!
If your garage door cable is at an angle, or loading improperly in the cable drum, then your door may be crooked, jammed, or operating very rough. Adjusting a torsion cable is something a DIY'er can do, IF the proper tools and techniques are followed. Visit Parts4GarageDoors in Houston, or Channelview to purchase a set of cables for just $15. Need other parts? We have it all!
CHANNELVIEW STORE:
Parts 4 Garage Doors
16023 East Freeway #56
Channelview, TX 77530
832-728-6540
www.parts4garagedoors.com/gar...
HOUSTON STORE:
Parts 4 Garage Doors
11020 Katy Freeway #116
Houston, TX 77043
832-834-3477
www.parts4garagedoors.com
WE HOPE TO BE SERVING YOU SOON!
Other Keywords: garage door repair, garage door service, garage door company, garage door wholesaler, same day garage door repair, free estimates, DIY garage door repair
Don't have the time to change out your torsion cables yourself? We suggest calling Houston garage door repair company Spectrum Overhead Door LLC. Award-winning garage door services since 2006. Call 281-748-9542 or go to spectrumoverheaddoor.com/ to schedule an appointment today!

[@borincanazambrana3219]

I'm from California, I called for a service repair and the guy gave me an estimate of 600$ hundred dollars. So I said no thank you, and decided to fix it myself. I'm 4 month pregnant and I rather to spend 600$ hundred on my baby. Thanks to your video I did it and can't believe I just did that. Thank you very much Sir for sharing what you know.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Wow. Great mom! Congrats!

[@dawnspiker2237]

❤❤

[@krukhlis]

Thank you from Vaughan, ON, Canada! 15 mins fix and my lady is proud of me + I've saved 100+ CAD. Cheers and stay safe!

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Making women proud of their guys since 2008. LOL.

[@roberttrego9392]

Your instruction and letting us know why you should or shouldn't do something is fantastic. Your to the point informative ,clear and concise and give great advise for the continued maintenence of the garage door .

[@dean3434]

I agree Dean Seattle

[@NEJoeyG]

Worked, I think I got mine fixed! Thanks so much. You'd be surprised how many wrong ways I tried, before I went to KZbin and found you. Thanks so much!

[@POLITICALLYSTUPID]

I've watched 10 vids and this was the best of all! Clear and concise!

[@gerryquint]

Thank you. Short and sweet, you've saved me time, effort and frustration. Cheers

[@Guenon24]

Thank you so much for the video! Took me literally 5 minutes and my door was working normal again. Saved a lot of money and the fix was so simple.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad it helped!

[@claudebieniek7272]

You know I am a 21yr garage door vet. I subscribed not for the knowledge, but because you do a great job on your videos. Good info but most importantly promoting safety, well done. One thing I would add, is when you open your door look and make sure both cables are tight.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Yes- a loose cable when the door is in the opened position is going to eventually cause an issue, or may become tangled. Aside from tightening the drum on one side, sometimes the door itself is askew from the track. This is usually a result of the back hangers being installed slightly out of square from the vertical track.

[@LundFamily505]

I tried to redo my cable a couple weeks ago and left the vice grip on when I put the new cable on 🤦 I'll be ordering two new cables to install. My only question is can I put new cables just as shown in this video (garage door down and only winding on first groove)? I've seen other that show garage door in up position stating to wind the whole drum with the cable...

[@rossbrodfuehrer6489]

Love how clear, straight to the point, no hype this helpful video and the gentleman explaining it is! Thank you much!

[@timweidner3335]

Very simple detail to confirm. Great advice.

[@alearellano9382]

Thank you 🙏 !!! I love the way you explained everything right to the point and very clear !!! My husband and I just fixed our garage door 💕

[@enriquerodriguez6031]

Thank you for posting this. Just saved me some money!!!

[@bmanly77]

Nailed my issue, thanks for explaining how to do it safely!

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad it helped!

[@billbillbill2014]

Thanks for your sharing 👍

[@josetorres2985]

thanks for your time and help

[@1000buffalos]

Worked like a charm. Thank you.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

You're welcome!

[@c.cokernator4726]

Wow, you just saved me money!

[@fernandezjunior4724]

Thank you sir , for the valuable information.

[@mikev3956]

Your video was very helpful!

[@paullarouche4648]

Very clear and understandable explanation.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad it was helpful!

[@camm5837]

good one! - quick and to the point! - Much appreciated!

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad it helped!

[@behunin1963]

Great video. Exactly what I needed. Thx so much.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

You're welcome!

[@rubyjackson9539]

Nice video!

[@FullsendBill]

Thank you. I did mines differently, but your video helped understand the mechanics and safety issues that come with. Thank you 🙏

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Thanks

[@RockHanger]

EXCELLENT! What & Why is always good.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Thanks!

[@user-dx6pj8bz2j]

Worked great !

[@seymoure3594]

Really informative!

[@cchristianed]

Awesome video, thank you.

[@dr1742]

Wonderful, sir. You just saved my door and my wallet 😄. Thank you very much.

[@rcnpalmbeach2375]

Great tutorial! Thank u!

[@mandy3mandy3]

Great video!

[@uladzimirtsikhan3305]

Thanks Boss. Very help me.

[@Countryboylife228]

Nice I found this video after I took it all apart now I’m fixing it for the third time

[@ballsolove]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@davidgood1072]

IT WORKED... THANK YOU!! 🙂🙂🙂

[@SpectrumGarageDoorsService]

Great!

[@BlackBlt95]

Thanks for the simple procedure! The door on this house was up about 1/2" on one side that always drove me nuts, finally after 4 years living here I just recently noticed the cable on one side was off the track as you show here flipped over the ridge. So I followed your procedure only I had to let cable drum turn until door settled on the concrete floor for it to release enough tension to flip the cable back into place. I then needed to use a pry bar to hold some tension on the cable as I tightened the set screws - all worked out well and cable is back in place and door bottom is now even. The key was using the vice grips to hold the spring tension on the shaft.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Great job!

[@27613James]

Nice video. I use lithium wheel bearing grease on the new cables, light coating will extend the life of the cables, silicone spray on the torsion springs will keep them quiet.

[@richardhyde6418]

Thanks for posting......

[@alanwagen]

Thanks, it worked. You da man !!

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad I could help

[@scottkim8805]

thanks for this!

[@tuannguyen-ly7xu]

Thank you sooo much! you are the best!!!!

[@jean-guybernier3292]

My pleasure !

[@scottyoung1161]

Thanks a ton for this video. It helped me immensely and saved me $$$! Best Wishes from Calgary in Canada

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad our video could help!

[@dwanemeans3779]

Great clip

[@georgepeck8005]

Excellent video. I had no idea what was causing my misaligned door, and your video explained it quickly and correctly. I had to buy some vise grips, but that's much cheaper than calling someone out would have been. Thank you!

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Great to hear!

[@jose4805villa]

Really help !!

[@hectorbernal5071]

eXCELENTE.. You saved me a lot a time and money

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad I could help

[@PSUNATION]

Thank you. Just what I was looking for!! So should I put the garage door up to hook the cable to the side of the garage door. I tried it closed, but it didn’t go up. Thanks

[@parts4garagedoors278]

The cable should have stayed attached if following the video. I don't have enough info to safely advise you. This was a few days ago so I hope you have it worked out!

[@MPDPIO1]

THANK YOU

[@FM-sq8qp]

Hey thanks a lot buddy

[@whitetiger8652]

Great video.Should I buy brand specific cables my door is a Clopay. Thanks.

[@rudyaguirre4103]

Hello before I saw your video I replaced the right side cable on the rt side (from the inside) I loosened the cable drum, did not realize I was supposed to put vise grips on the torsion bar. How do I get tension back on the right side ? Please advise.

[@jasonconklin3250]

Thanks worked great

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad to hear it!

[@hindusupportgroup987]

Awesome thank 🙏🏽

[@fredfaustman3659]

thank you

[@teddiefehn7628]

Thanks very informative

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mattetor6726]

Thank you!

[@sanstephen5971]

I'm interested in this job ..it's good 👍🏼

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Good luck!

[@billmacfarland3200]

Thank you!!!

[@parts4garagedoors278]

You're welcome!

[@TOPLS70]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@marko7843]

@danielwake2430: I had a similar thought, and you're right about getting fingers caught... I used something with a better bite than vice-grips would be preferable: a pipe-wrench. I grabbed the tube just inboard of the sheave to avoid deforming the end outside the bearing, and rolled it back that 1/8 to 1/4-turn I needed to get the wire back in the right groove.

[@samvan007]

Thank you

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Welcome!

[@berserkerusmc7613]

As the cable is going down to the bottom bracket, should it be at a slight angle? Or dead straight ?

[@ToyMotr]

When garage door is up, how much tension is suppose to be on the coil of wire? My garag doors wires popped off when it hit something that I had stacked up next to the door guides and I cracked the nuts loose to try even the tension while the door was up but it isn't working properly, any help would be much appreciated 🙏🏼

[@zixautomatizacion]

Hello friend, what are the principal garage door suppliers you can recommend on Texas?

[@eddiec1841]

Thanks amigo 👍

[@parts4garagedoors278]

De nada

[@LundFamily505]

I tried to redo my cable a couple weeks ago and left the vice grip on when I put the new cable on 🤦 I'll be ordering two new cables to install. My only question is can I put new cables just as shown in this video (garage door down and only winding on first groove)? I've seen other that show garage door in up position stating to wind the whole drum with the cable...

[@JamesWattMusic]

should the cable be pretty tight after spring replacement? Mine are, it seems the spring torques the pulley, then pulls the cables tight, even if I try to loosen them. is that ok?

[@kommoncents5853]

Is there any way to lower a garage door with the opener disconnected, Figured I would start that way first goes as far as i can but still have a 3/4" gap.

[@gigilovemath]

Thank you for the clear video. I have a question about my garage door, my door is 7 feet 4 inch height, can I use the 8 ft door cable for replacement?

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Sorry for the late response. A cut cable would be ideal. Cut 8 inches off the 8 ft cable and crimp on a new end. If the cable is too long it will fill up the drum and possibly come loose and get tangled.

[@esanchezp]

Much appreciated, you just saved me $160 CA. It's delinquent what they ask for just to do a quick fix.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Very true! Great job!

[@mrweisu]

What’s the torque on the set screws? I d rather not to guess the number of turns. Thanks

[@santembb]

Got same length torsion spring and followed the steps for replacement of springs; but issue I see is garage door only lift up till 1 foot , stay stuck and does not move up regardless how much manual lift force I put in (in manual mode). please guide. I tried going up to 33 quarter turns (16.5 half turns) as 31 or 30 turns was not helping, rotation was clock wise for 33 quarter turns.. my old part was 218 wire x 29 long spring and new one is 225 wire and 29 long spring.

[@kauaireed9006]

Is this why my door is higher on one side, when it’s in the open position? Thanks

[@benthompson2205]

Cheers.

[@jasonmorton7678]

I’m coming to your video after loosing the cable but I forgot to put the pliers on the underside and the door came up a little bit. Should I loosen the torsion springs and reset everything? And should I replace the torsion springs as well?

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Unwinding the springs, then rewinding is going to be your best bet. Only replace the spring if it is older, rusty, or near the end of it's cycle life.

[@jeraldjones1652]

What size socket did you use?

[@Dhi-fe5eu]

My door springs are broken and door is closed. Can I run the cable to the bottom of the door since I am unable to lift the door at this point. Great video.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

I would need more information. Thanks.

[@redcan5254]

Thanks ... March 24 2022 (2133 hrs)

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Your welcome!

[@DAMCOOLDAV]

Help! I used the pliers to hold the door at the highest point, loosened the set screws, and wound it up and reattached to the door (both sides), but when I finished the 2nd side, it completely unwound itself when I let go even though everything was back to normal. What am I missing?

[@olenazhenochin4905]

what socket were you using on those square headed screws on the drum? Special 4 point one (which Home Depot does not carry) or something else?

[@SpectrumGarageDoorsService]

12- point 7/16 socket, or 3/8 open end wrench

[@laurareyes2463]

Thanks dude, I’m on my moms phone right now, but took the car last night and hit the garage. Just fixed it all.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Great!

[@jasonvanboesschoten6680]

My torsion cable keeps coming off, is their a way to adjust the torsion drumb so it doesn't come off anymore?

[@drp259]

Great video, especially the safety aspect but please lube up that ratchet!!! 😂😂

[@mandlangcobo4119]

Thank you. Learned a lot. I would like to know what causes the cable to jump out when clossing the door?

[@SpectrumGarageDoorsService]

It usually jumps when it’s going up, but you don’t notice it typically until you go to close it. A lack of spring tension, or raising the door too high, or raising it too fast, are some of the common causes

[@paulhoward1520]

@@SpectrumGarageDoorsService if I can turn the cable drums does that indicate a lack of torsion on the spring? I has the cable come off one side,tried to do re spool and noticed I could turn drum by hand.

[@SpectrumGarageDoorsService]

@@paulhoward1520 well, the two drums and shaft should turn as one. When the spring is applying proper counter balance- yes you will be able to turn it by hand! Pretty easily too. The idea is to be almost weightless because of the assistance of the spring.

[@CaliAdventures73]

You can do that repair without ever loosening the set screws on the drum. You simply go to the bottom roller at the left side of the door and use vise grips to clamp just above the roller, you then go to the right side of the door and lift it until there is enough slack in the cable to correct it on the drum. then place another vise grip under the right side bottom roller so the slack isn't lost. Go up to the drum, re-align cable and then remove both vise grips. This method will ensure the door remains level.

[@604roger]

When the door is up, is one cable supposed to be looser than the other side?

[@imager09tube]

YOu do this with the door open (No tension) or door close(full tension)?

[@parts4garagedoors278]

You can do it with the door closed. Just be sure to firmly plant the vise grip on the top side of the bar as described.

[@marcellorochha6594]

Top 👍

[@taowen85]

I've adjusted my torsion springs to level the door but I have a half inch gap on both sides. The door has a slight bend in it because the cables seem too tight. I've tried backing off the springs but then they dont provide enough lifting support for the door (when off the track will slam close from 1', or will close on it's own when half open). I'm stumped on what I can do?

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Sorry, this one might be difficult to truly understand the issue without seeing it in person. Definitely sounds like the springs are undersized for starters.

[@chadbrinker7885]

Why would there be loose tension on a cable when the door is up, but proper tension when the door is down?

[@_1ben]

My problem as pet your video, my cable has slack when the door is in the up position, it is tight when in the down position, should I raise the door and repeat as your instructions on in the up position ?

[@parts4garagedoors278]

This usually happens when the rear hangers (the angle iron coming down from the ceiling) are askew. In other words, they are slightly diagonal when compared to the straight vertical track that is on the sides of the door. Moving them over as needed (both in same direction) to the left or right even just one inch can make a big difference. Note- moving the hangers will also move the upper track which is what you are trying to do.

[@jean-guybernier3292]

My trade is millwright since 35 years. I instaled my new garage door recently. Leveled everything with my laser level. One simple problem with it. The two cables have the same tension on both side when the door is close but at 3/4 open, they are well seated on the pulleys. The left cable is getting loose and the right one is very tight. It takes all the load. Took my caliper and measured the pulleys. The right one is 0.015'' shorter than the left. Since the pulley is grooved on it's width to make the cable running, couldn't put shim stock over it to make it bigger. Decided to put some electrical tape layer instead until equal tension on both side and voilà ! When tape will be worn, I will just put new one. No more problem. Different mold for casting and it doesn't take much difference on circonference to cause that problem. Call the manufacturer door installer. Told me 1 out of 3 doors have that same problem and they never found any solution. Told the guy mine and was very happy to ear it.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Great solution. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheSeriesofTubes]

He probably didn’t care and was happy to get you off the phone

[@jean-guybernier3292]

I don't think so ! When you talk to a man, an aged one for about 20 min, a very nice man asking questions and you can feel the appreciation in is voice and attitude and if it's so... hope he has learned something that day ! Happy new year from Montréal, Québec !

[@MegaJohnnyrock]

Have been installing garage doors for 27 yrs, still can't figure it out???

[@jean-guybernier3292]

@@MegaJohnnyrock About the difference between cables? Beleve me, I scratched my head for a couples of hours trying to figure it out ! And nothing else but the circumference must be in involve here. As I said previously, took my caliper and yess, it was 0.015 smaller. Mould difference from China !

[@thomassmith8063]

I have a rear torsion spring and my drum is on the outside of the bearing plate on both sides, is that correct? I don't see any on youtube that show them there? It seems its there so the cable runs outside the tracks.

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Yes, I have seen systems like this.

[@kimberlycollins1694]

What if your cable goes into a bolt with a pin how do you remove

[@h60flyer]

Hello, what if both sides have loose cables? Does that mean the spring is bad or can I do what you din in this video and rotate them back, thus taking up the slack?

[@parts4garagedoors278]

If the door is open and the cables are loose: either it's opened too high (should only be opened the height of the header) OR the spring(s) don't have ample tension. (29-30 quarter turns on a 7ft tall door, and 33-34 quarter turns on an 8ft tall door.

[@h60flyer]

@@parts4garagedoors278 Thank you!

[@Phuong_Nguyen_]

What are the set screws on the spring?

[@parts4garagedoors278]

Set screws are the screws with a red square head- used to tighten down and secure the spring to the torsion tube.

[@michaelperry5507]

Never loosen a drum without a winding bar in at least one of the springs. Also ya put your vise grip on upside down. Where you were standing will hurt someone if they didnt bar off the springs and the other drum slips(because thelast guy may not have tightened it enough)

[@parts4garagedoors278]

The purpose of this method is a quick fix for a DIY'er without a winding bar. I have used this method 100's of times. It is highly unlikely for the drum on the other side to slip all of a sudden. People tend to overtighten these drums. Again, anything is always possible! Some risk is always there.

[@daddybear7062]

Michael Perry is 100% correct, in Florida for example a 16x7 garage door can weigh nearly 450lbs with wind loading struts. All that load will be trusted to 1drum and 1 pair of questionable Vice grips. Instead put the Vice grips on the cable on the good side, next take a pipe wrench and put it directly on the torsion tube, lift up towards the ceiling no more then a 1/4 turn with 1 hand and move cable back in the grove with your other hand.

[@danielwake2430]

This works, but know that the door could go out of level by doing it this way, especially if it is the left drum. In the scenario here, I would've probably just lifted the vice grip a little to back wind the spring and gain a little slack, and slid the cable back in place with a screwdriver. You could also use one vicegrip as a lever to rotate the shaft, and another to clamp it down like he showed in order to hold the slack while you do your thing. Just keep your fingers clear.

[@martinvaldepena48]

I replaced my both springs the garage door was working fine.now open my garage door the cables come off the roller both them any would be appreciated thanks

[@SpectrumGarageDoorsService]

When this occurs it’s usually because you don’t have enough turns on the spring. Always wind 29 to 30 quarter turns on a 7 ft tall door and 33-34 quarter turns on an 8 ft tall door