Full Answer
What size torsion spring does my garage door need?
Torsion Spring Inside Diameter Almost 90% of garage doors in America have a 2-inch inside diameter, but you still need to double-check the inside diameter because not all garage doors do. Simply measure the interior diameter of the spring with a tape measure. You don’t need to take the spring off to take this measurement. Torsion Spring Length
How to calculate garage door spring size?
Torsion Spring Calculator for Overhead Doors
- Spring Calculation. If the TSC selections are not to your liking, you may enter the desired spring I.D. ...
- Spring Conversion. This is the part of the TSC program which deals with converting an existing torsion spring to a new and / or different one.
- Special Features. User definable wire & inside diameters. ...
- Pricing. ...
How to get the right size garage door spring?
- Insert a winding bar into the top winding cone on the broken spring
- Pull down 90° and insert the other winding bar into the cone
- Remove the first bar and pull the second bar down 90°
- Place the first bar back into the top winding cone and remove the second bar
How do you adjust a torsion spring garage door?
Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Adjusting Side-Mounted Springs
- Open your garage door fully. Before you can work, you need to release the tension on the springs. ...
- Secure the door in place. Place a C-clamp below the bottom roller, or use two locking pliers (one on each track under the bottom rollers).
- Remove the spring hook. ...
- Adjust the tension. ...
- Test your door for functionality and balance. ...
What size garage torsion springs do I need?
Garage Door Torsion Spring Size ChartLength of 10 coils (in Inches)Length of 20 Coils (in Inches)Wire Size1 1/42 1/2.1251 3/82 3/4.1351 7/162 7/8.1421 1/23.1486 more rows•Dec 5, 2018
How do I know what torsion spring for my garage door?
Measure the circumference of the cable drum, and measure the height of the garage door in inches. Divide the height of the garage door by the cable drum circumference, then add one. This is the number of turns that are on your spring. For example, a 14' high door is 168" high.
Can I use a bigger torsion spring on my garage door?
If your garage door springs have lasted less than five years, or if you plan to live where you are for many years, you may want to try the extra long life torsion springs. By using larger springs, you can, in most cases, quadruple your spring life while only doubling the cost of the springs.
How do I choose a torsion spring?
To choose the right torsion spring, you must measure the wire size, inside diameter, overall length, and wind direction. You can also use Color codes that are based on the wind direction of spring. Extension springs also have a color-coding system to assist professionals to pick the right type.
Can I use a different size torsion spring?
When you add everything up, you have the exact weight once done; you can then use two different size springs if it yields optimal balance. If you are a homeowner and the technician used two different size springs, don't be alarmed. What matters is that the garage door is balanced.
How do I know what weight my garage door spring is?
This is determined by the pitch with which the springs are wound. On sectional garage door springs, this normally is 15 percent. For example, a 100-pound pull spring requires 15 pounds of weight to separate the coils; when a door is open, the two springs will support 15 pounds of door weight without any stretch.
What happens if I use a longer torsion spring?
Springs That Are Too Big Can Damage the Garage Door Opener It will open with too much force, rolling up very quickly and compromising its safety. Kids or even unprepared adults could be knocked over by the sudden force when they try to open it.
What do the colors mean on garage door torsion springs?
The color code on a torsion spring indicates whether it is a “right wind” or “left wind” spring, with black indicating right wind and red indicating left wind. Beyond that the torsion spring is color coded so that technicians can determine the thickness, or gauge, of the wire.
What happens if garage door spring is too strong?
If the spring is too strong or too large, it will exert too much pull on the door and keep it higher than it should be. For instance, a closed door won't be able to stay on the floor, while a door that's supposed to be opened halfway will be higher up.
What is the color code on garage door springs?
Garage Door Extension Spring DASMA Color Code ChartColorPoundsKilogramsBrown60/160/260xxxOrange70/170/27030/75/120Gold80/180/28035/80/125Light Blue90/190/29040/85/1306 more rows•Apr 28, 2020
How many turns on a 9ft garage door spring?
A rule of thumb with springs is that four quarter turns equals a full revolution and the spring needs to be tightened a full revolution for every foot of door height (e.g. 7-1/2 foot door = 7 revolutions +2 (30 quarter turns).
How many turns on a 8ft garage door spring?
If you didn't get a recommendation, perform 30 quarter turns for a 7-ft. -tall door and 36 quarter turns for an 8-ft. -tall door.
How do torsion springs work?
Torsion Springs and Garage Door Weight. Torsion springs need to provide enough force to equal the weight of the door. This is sometimes referred to as the spring’s lift power–how much weight the torsion spring can lift. The spring’s individual measurements are also important, they determine the spring’s lift.
Can garage door springs be repaired?
Garage door springs can’t just be repaired. At a minimum some springs just need to be re-tensioned but at worst they need to be replaced because they can become dangerous and break. Learn More: Garage Door: Torsion Springs vs Extension Springs. A functional garage door system lifts the door in a balanced-manner.
Do extension springs wear out?
Many new homes are made with torsion spring garage door systems. Eventually, garage door springs do wear out and need to be replaced.
Do garage door springs wear down?
The springs in a garage door system do the heavy lifting when it comes to opening the door. They provide needed support to the opener and cables when opening the door and help lower it gently as well. Because the springs work in every part of the process, they do eventually wear down and need to be replaced.
How many springs does a door have?
Some doors have one torsion spring and others have up to four springs. If one spring breaks, you should replace all of the springs because it is probably also at the end of its cycle life. The cycle life of a spring is determined by how much use it gets and how much strain the spring can experience.
What is Torsion Spring?
Torsion springs are one of the most popular spring systems used with garage door openers. Despite being one of the more expensive options torsion spring systems have many benefits: Durable. Less likely to break. Low-maintenance.
What is a winding cone on a torsion spring?
Torsion springs have cones on each end. One end has a stationary cone that is secured to an anchor bracket and the other is a winding cone. The winding cone is used to install and uninstall the springs as well as to adjust the tension in the springs. If you are purchasing replacement torsion springs make sure both cones are in the spring.
How does a garage door work?
A garage door that functions correctly is supported by the correct springs and cables. The cables will hold the weight of the door while the springs provide the energy to lift and lower a balanced door. The springs also support the garage door opener by relieving some of the stress from the weight of the door.
Can you use a screwdriver to replace a torsion spring?
If you are purchasing replacement torsion springs make sure both cones are in the spring. You’ll also want to order winding bars in order to operate the winding cone, you cannot use a screwdriver as an alternative to winding bars. A garage door that functions correctly is supported by the correct springs and cables.
Where are the left and right wind springs located?
Spring Wind: Left wind springs are located on the right-hand side of the door and right wind springs are located on the left side. “If the end of the spring points in the clockwise direction it is a left-wound and if the end of the spring points in the counterclockwise direction, it is right-wound” (IDC Spring).
Do garage doors break?
Garage doors are one of the most used parts of our homes. They are heavy and have lots of moving parts that will wear down and eventually break. When it is time to replace the torsion springs it is highly recommended that you consult with an expert.
What is the size of a garage door?
1. Wire size. 2. Inside diameter (90% of door s have a 2.0" inside diameter) 3. Spring length (how long each spring is) 4. Spring orientation only worry about this if you have a 1 spring system (left wound or right wound). Generally, when looking from within the garage, if the spring is on the left side, it is right wound, and vice versa.
Is it okay to round a spring?
It is okay to round if you are very close. Wire size is the most important measurement. This determines the strength of the spring. It is not recommended to manipulate this to try and get a longer life or stronger spring. 2. How to Measure for Inside Diameter (Step 2 of 3)
Is a garage door left or right wound?
Generally, when looking from within the garage, if the spring is on the left side, it is right wound, and vice versa. It works as opposites, so if the spring is on the right side of the center when looking from inside your garage out to your door, it is left wound. Need help?
What to know when buying garage door springs?
When buying a garage door springs it is important to know five things about your springs: (1) the length, (2) wire size, (3) inside diameter, (4) spring wind and (5) types of ends. If your garage door is the two-spring type, it is required to measure and record the specification of each one.
What to do if you damage a garage door spring?
If you damage your garage door spring, yoy can call A1 Garage Door Service to assist you. They are open 24/7 to fix all your garage door concerns. There is no problem too big or too small for them. When you call, they’ll immediately make themselves available to help you.
Does A1 Garage Door Service have springs?
A1 Garage Door Service does have all types of springs you may need. Whatever the size, length and dimension you need, surely they will have it available for you. They can even determine the type of garage door springs you need, all you need is book an appointment.
Do garage door springs fit all?
Garage door springs are a garage door component where “one size fits all” is not applicable. Every garage door requires a certain spring specification depending on the height and the weight of the door per se. You cannot just settle on a spring your neighbor suggests you to buy. This is because what he has in his may not be the same spring you need to yours.
Do you need to unwound a garage door spring?
Getting the measurement of your garage door springs. Contrary to what most believe, you don’t need to actually unwound the spring in order to measure the length of the spring. To get the measurement, all you need to do is to measure from the first coil on one end to the last coil on the other end of the garage door spring including the coils ...
How to tell if garage door springs are torsion springs?
Out of all the information you’ll need to gather before ordering garage door torsion springs, the easiest to determine is the wind of a given spring. Basically, the order of the springs from left to right should tell you everything you need to know.
Why is it important to know the direction of a garage door torsion spring?
It’s important to know the direction of each torsion spring because this is integral to the operation of the garage door. To make the door raise, each spring must turn in a certain direction. Likewise, the springs need to turn a certain way for the door to lower safely and steadily to the ground.
How often do garage door springs wear out?
For pretty much anyone who owns an automatic garage door, garage door springs are a vital part of daily life. Anywhere from two to four times each day , the garage door is activated when heading to and from work, the supermarket or places of leisure. As such, the mechanical parts that activate a garage door are among the most utilized pieces of equipment in a typical household. Consequently, garage torsion springs can wear out during the average length of a residential occupancy.
What is the difference between right and left wounded garage door springs?
In most cases, right-wound and left-wound springs are further distinguished by demarcation colors along the winding cones and cable drums located at the far end of each spring.
What is the measurement of a torsion spring?
The most important measurement of all on a torsion spring is the overall length from one end to the other. The length of a torsion spring is integral to its winding capacity. If you have a large garage door, for example, you can’t have an undersized spring and expect to get the needed lifting and lowering ability.
How to measure if a spring is faulty?
If you have a torsion spring that’s intact yet faulty, lay it down on a table and run a tape measure from one end to the other. Start at the first coil on one end and extend the measuring device to the final coil.
How many inches is a torsion spring?
Therefore, if your tape measure indicates that a torsion spring is 36 inches from one end to the other, that’s a 36-inch — or three foot — torsion spring.
Why do garage door springs need torsion?
Here are three reasons behind the importance of garage door torsion springs and why you should make sure they fit properly. 1. Springs That Are Too Big Can Damage the Garage Door Opener. When garage door springs are too large , they provide more strength than the door needs.
How to measure torsion springs?
This is a question we frequently hear from our customers, and fortunately, it’s easy to come up with an answer. You can use a correct existing spring to determine torsion spring size in four easy steps: 1 Figure out what direction the spring winds in, right or left. If it twists counterclockwise, it winds left, and if it twists clockwise, it winds right. 2 Measure either 10 or 20 coils, and find the right length corresponding to that number on our chart. 3 Measure the inside diameter of the spring. 4 Measure the total length of the spring.
How to determine torsion spring size?
You can use a correct existing spring to determine torsion spring size in four easy steps: Figure out what direction the spring winds in, right or left. If it twists counterclockwise, it winds left, and if it twists clockwise, it winds right. Measure either 10 or 20 coils, and find the right length corresponding to that number on our chart.
Why does my door bounce up and down?
The door will also bounce up and down after opening, creating another safety issue. 2. Springs That Are Too Small Can Make the Opener Less Effective. If the spring for the door is small, it can make the door too heavy. When someone tries to raise the door, it will fall back down instead of continuing to lift.
Do garage door openers need to be replaced?
The door will rise with less effort and remain safely in place. The garage door opener may also need to be replaced if it has been damaged by springs that are too big or too small. Note that only a trained garage door technician should attempt to replace their garage torsion springs.