How to replace Westland Garage Door Cables - Single Handed !!

[@davidmason1443]

Superb. Managed on my own after watching your video and saved a small fortune!

[@regsideboard6816]

Thanks for this...took me 40 minutes to change both cables on my own.

[@BarnSt0rmer]

Thanks for the very helpful tip. We had one cable break just over 10 years ago and I remember it was a real pain to replace it and it felt like a very dangerous job (high tension cables and large springs under tension when combined with hands/fingers make me feel very uneasy). We've just had another cable break with a mighty bang so unfortunately I'm looking at doing the same job again. I've still got a spare cable from last time I bought a pair. When the spring is in it's fully relaxed state, the cable is about 5 or 6 inches too short to connect to the hooks at both ends. I know that the spring needs to be pre-tensioned and that will allow the cable to be installed properly, but that's the bit we're struggling with, it's just so hard to find a way to pretension it. I've got the official instructions for it but I'd basically need to be a gorilla to pull against the mighty strength of the spring and get the the pulley to where it needs to lock into - I have tried and failed to do it. I will be obtaining some rope like in your video and will try using my body weight to tension the spring like you suggested, hopefully that'll do the trick.

[@michaelwright3066]

Great video 😊 such an archaic way of repairing a door though isn't it lol! As a garage door fitter this is the most common fault of all the doors after Henderson's, but when you think about the sheer volume of Henderson doors out there it's all relative. I'm pretty sure every house built Inthe late 70's and all through the 80's only ever had Henderson garage doors, there is bajillioms of them!

[@anthonymachin4266]

Yes a great video. Was of a great help. Thank you for sharing.

[@Noaxe_Tegrinde]

Excellent video and a sound method! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughtful & ingenious solution..Much appreciated.!👍 Someone further down in the comments gave an Amazon link for a single door cable set. Mine's a ~1985 Belgravia 14ft (been as good as gold until one cable broke a few years ago) so I went to Amazon, which I use a lot anyway, and sure enough they had a cable to suit. 👍 Searched for garador+belgravia which turned out to be in DIY & Tools 'Department'. £15 , as of time of comment. Garador Garage Door Pattern Cables/Roller Spindles (MK3C / Type C Belgravia Cables) Brand: Garador 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 114 ratings £14.95 Size Name: MK3C / Type C Belgravia Cables 2 3/8" Roller Spindles G3 Canopy Cable Drum (L/H) F3C Cables G3 Canopy Cable Drum (R/H) MK3C / Type C Belgravia Cables MK3C / Type C Rollers 3 1/8" Roller Spindles F3C 2 1/4" Roller Spindles MK4/F Roller Spindles PN31 / PN59 Double Door Cables Safety Latch & Roller (L/H) C-Type Side Extension Spring Roller Spindles Safety Latch & Roller (R/H) Brand Garador Colour Metallic Material Plastic, Aluminium Assembly required Yes About this item Pattern Garador cables Suits Mk3c geared doors pre 1999 Suits double Belgravia 14’0″ wide doors only Supplied in pairs NoAxe

[@egilspraulitis4549]

Yes, it's best to replace these before they go. I was not so fortunate. Mine looked OK (externally) - but one frayed and snapped inside the housing - whilst closing the door from the inside. There was a tremendous clash as the spring shot across the garage. I was lucky not to have been in the way !! So yes, it's best to replace these before they go - and to look inside the spring box housing to check if the cables are not frayed.

[@davidjones8680]

Any easy job on your own if you change them before they break on you. Just changed both sides of mine in less than 10 mins. They were very very corroded and close to death.

[@simonjamieson9533]

Excellent video. When releasing the tension does the spring pull across at speed? As in potentially trap fingers ?

[@egilspraulitis4549]

It's quite safe, as the spring is released by pulling the cable sideways once the cable is in place. So the force needed to release the spring from the securing position is the maximum tension you will need to pull against. Then release the cable slowly back to its working position in the guide.

[@simonjamieson9533]

@@egilspraulitis4549 I replaced it safely and fairly easily thanks to your video.

[@leeyungchau6980]

Hi, Please may I have some advice about the lock or lock cylinder of this door? I have lost the key and I am wondering if the lock or it cylinder is replaceable? Your help is very much appreciated, Many Thanks.

[@egilspraulitis4549]

I'm sorry - but I don't know the answer to this. But Good Luck

[@leeyungchau6980]

Understood, Thank you for letting me know though

[@Fornitejack]

Great video. One question, Once the springs are placed into the pre tensioner, do they always stay in place in it?

[@egilspraulitis4549]

Yes, it stays in place. Before you tension the spring, unhook it and check that the 'tongue' slots easily and securely into the retaining slot. You may need to open it up a bit with a screwdriver.

[@Fornitejack]

@@egilspraulitis4549 excellent mate thank you

[@douglasgilzean9801]

Good video, where did you get your cables from please, thanks

[@egilspraulitis4549]

Dear Douglas, These are the cables that I bought cables from Amazon; amzn.eu/d/bWtoEBR I hope this helps

[@douglasgilzean9801]

@@egilspraulitis4549 Many thanks for the link Have a great Christmas

[@apatol]

I do have the same garage door, my problem is when I open the door it won't stay up, from where I can set the spring load?

[@egilspraulitis4549]

There is no spring adjustment. When the door is open the spring is at it's lowest tension. The spring is there to help open the door - rather than keeping it open. So, I can't say why your door is not staying open.

[@ghraffydd5275]

@@egilspraulitis4549 Cable length. My door has the older spring box and the cable is longer than the type in the video. If I fit the shorter cables I only have to open the door a little and it opens itself. Sounds like you have the long cables fitted and want the shot ones. I bought both lengths he had for sale and I needed the longer of the two, he told me there were three lengths available?

[@egilspraulitis4549]

@@ghraffydd5275 Dear ghraffydd, I'm sorry to say that I can't help - as I am unfamiliar with the various variants of Westland garage doors and their associated cable types.

[@ghraffydd5275]

@@egilspraulitis4549 Sorry I wasn't asking for help. I have been replacing the cables every so often since the 60's, the cables were made in a few lengths and the spring tension is different with the different spring. Every time I replace them I keep the intcact one as a guide to the length for next time I replace them and always loose the old one. Even when I was buying original from the Garadoor place they didn't seem to sure what length was needed. Last lot I bought[from ebay], I bought both of the lengths he sold. Once you have done it a few times, on your own, it shouldn't be any problem to do it in a matter of minutes.

[@egilspraulitis4549]

@@ghraffydd5275 Dear ghraffydd, I'm sorry, I had misinterpreted your message. Cable lengths appear to be related to door width - possibly allowing Westland to use the same string box across the range. Anyway, I replaced cables with ones specified for my door width and their working well.