Replacing Garage Side Extension Spring on an Old One Piece Garage Door

Save some money by Replacing Garage Side Extension Spring on an Old One Piece Garage Door by yourself.

[@danwilliams9606]

Helpful. Glad this is still around in 2024. I insulated my door after 39 years and needed to increase spring tension to counterbalance the extra weight. I strongly recommend bulletproof support for the open door and disconnect of opener.

[@rrrogster]

Thanks Gary for the VERY helpful video. I need to replace mine and with the help of your video it has given me the self confidence to give it a try. They want $100 just for the service call plus parts to install this and as a retired guy I need to money. Thanks again.

[@garyhgaryh]

ster you’re welcome! Glad to see your comment!

[@roadtoabsurdity]

You've got brass balls Mister...a ladder and an ice chest...I bow down.

[@telefunkenyou47]

I used a ladder and an ice chest too! I probably could have used a painters extension pole but the cooler was a perfect tight fit so I dared to be stupid and came out on top. Remember, “In order to win, you can’t be afraid to lose.”

[@jefflebowski918]

I've replaced a few springs over the past 30 years and here's a few tips: 1. Buy the exact spring that broke(it should be stamped on the loop) and always replace all springs even if only one broke, the reason is old springs are worn out so tension will be uneven. Besides when you buy all new springs you know you are good for about 10 years. 2. Get a friend to help out, opening and holding the door open is a two person job when you have a busted spring. 3. With the door all the way up, replace the spring so that it is slightly loose. The spring should not be under tension when the door is up. 4. It's a good idea to replace springs every 10 years instead of waiting for them to break, having a spring break while opening the garage can be dangerous and damage your garage opener.

[@charlescharles9625]

Regarding step No. 3, are you sure the new spring should be "slightly loose"? Everyone else says there should be tension. Does it make a difference?

[@jefflebowski918]

Charles Charles It's easier to put on when there's no tension and your door won't slam into the frame when it opens. Put the U bracket on the lowest chain link you can without straining.

[@gtribe7]

jeff I changed my springs but now the one piece wooden door won't stay up. What's the remedy?

[@dubyajayyo]

Charles Charles I’ve read there should be no more than 2in of stretch fully opened. That said, “slightly loose” would mean the springs would never hold the door fully open. There should be some tension.

[@ToddCommish]

Good stuff. I combined your video with another one using the same (old-school) springs and changed two springs in about 15 minutes. Thanks!

[@richardleveson6467]

Thanks for this - my garage door is over 60 years old and it is a similar type but has only one (massive) spring on each side - springs like that are no longer available (considered hazardous) so replacing with two makes sense. Gary, although you did this eight years ago, can you recall whether these were repurposed overhead tension springs e.g. from Home Depot? That's what yours look like. Finding the right springs is quite a business as I am going to have to 'weigh' my garage door first and then find out how to translate that to get the right replacements.

[@BillDubeVariety]

Great video thanks. Would have been nice to mention more about how to measure your springs for going to the store to order. Also did not notice until after removing my spring that there was actually a model of the spring stamped into the spring tab. Other things that would have been nice to add into your video was mention of the garage door opener and safety issues. Bottom line: Replaced all four springs to my door today and thanks to your video it was a snap. THANKS AGAIN!!!! Side note: I did not start getting the advertisements until after signing into KZbin, weird. Wonder if that means we can only be monetized from people who are signed in. Guess it makes sense though.

[@garyhgaryh]

Bill Dube Thanks for the feedback!

[@toes1375]

Great, now I know how to show my back in close up.

[@garyhgaryh]

toes1375 Stop staring at my back!

[@mattellis1476]

Thanks. Very helpful video!

[@yaright8762]

love the video - Thanks helped out lots .

[@thekimfamily1380]

Very helpful!

[@garyhgaryh]

Jeff Lebowski - thanks for the feedback. I helped someone changed their busted spring - i just got a call to change it for them .

[@robertreason4885]

thanks ... I heard its easier to put on the tops first then use your body weight to stretch down the bottoms.

[@garyhgaryh]

It's easier for me to pull up than to pull down, but that's me. Some people are heavier than me and can use their weight. I have bad knees so bending down is a chore for me. Thanks for the tip!

[@evol714]

thanks for the help!

[@QuinnGuitar]

Thanks so much, Gary! I had the same situation, and I only replace the one broken spring. On my garage door, it was the inner spring (second from the garage door) that broke, just like in this video. Should the new spring go in the same place, or should it be placed on the side nearest the garage door? Its a tension thing. I replaced the new spring exactly where the old one was placed, but now the garage door needs help closing. Should I switch out the springs, putting the new one in place of the old still functioning one, and then place the old still functioning spring where the old one broke? Thanks again! Super helpful!

[@garyhgaryh]

Tim Quinn Tim, I’m two years too late answering this but I didn’t have an issue and put the new spring I the same position as the broken one. Your new spring might have more tension. In that case you’ll have to replace the other side. Worst case just replace them all.

[@garyhgaryh]

Also you can adjust the tension by using other positions on the hinges. Move one up (most likely) or down, but you’ll need an extra bolt to do this depending on the make of your hinge.

[@apenas7399]

​@@garyhgaryh 8y.9, 9 de t g

[@cooldog60]

I need to know how to install the springs on the side of a sectional door.

[@96150coconut]

Nice vid. Can you tell me how long it should take to do the total job, both sides? I have to hire someone to do it but I wont be there. Want to make sure he doesnt over charge me..... thanks

[@garyhgaryh]

96150coconut took me about 15 mins a side. I can do both in about 30 mins.

[@wyattspop]

anyone know how to force the spring on without 17 inch biceps?

[@SineEyed]

Yeah, there's this awesome device you might be able to use which might provide the mechanical advantage you need to get the job done. It was invented about, oh I dunno... I guess about 5000 years ago. It's called a "lever." They're pretty amazing.. 👍

[@shadow.banned]

Damn spring won't stretch.

[@wyattspop]

me too, how did you do it?

[@aukezone]

I have 4 SL728 springs, one is broken and I am unable to get a replacement. Is there a way to replace the one spring with a SL730 spring?

[@ramsgaterealty4834]

How can this get 38 Thumbs down? Very useful: thanks.

[@devonb.4209]

I did all this but now the garage door goes half way and then turns back. It wont close. What do I do?

[@garyhgaryh]

Devon Bowser new spring has more tension so you can either balance it or up the force on the opener before it turns back in the up or down direction based on whether or not it turns around going up or down.

[@garyhgaryh]

Before adjusting the load force on the opener: You can adjust the tension by using other positions on the hinges. Move one up (most likely) or down, but you’ll need an extra bolt to do this depending on the make of your hinge.

[@zeev8436]

What's the correct name for that kind of replacement spring? Not finding on Amazon. Thanks!

[@zeev8436]

Found it... "Plug end garage door spring"

[@Frijo1]

what size are these springs

[@garyhgaryh]

Frijo1 sorry I don’t remember. It was six years ago so I forgot. I can find out if you like just let me know.

[@damaster3988]

Dude, get a 2x4 to support the door. What are you crazy? Also when you film a how to video its adviseable to get out of the view of the camera when shooting, I couldn't see you hooking the spring to the hook....Duh??

[@garyhgaryh]

2 howling fools didn’t you hear? I made due with what I had. I simply hooked the spring by pulling up on it so I needed to lift directly up! Chill so u can live longer.

[@carlcampbell6827]

WHOA people! Holding up a heavy garage door with something "kind of rickety". You said it is "not your house" but whose head and body is it? Do you even have any idea what happens when that heavy unsupported garage door suddenly falls on you? Do not attempt any repairs without at 2x4" prop securely screwed in place while you work!

[@wyattspop]

where would you put a 2x4?

[@Meypsta]

that's comical, you didn't even demonstrate if the door was balanced or not... I bet you it's noooootttttt

[@garyhgaryh]

vick moore it opens like a charm and I did check it.

[@danmasengill6581]

A cooler on top of a ladder? Wtf joke is that? Got get a 2x4 for criminy sake