There is nothing like coming home after a long day, pulling into your garage eager to get inside, and lifting the garage door only to find that it won’t budge. The spring or cable has snapped, leaving your door effectively jammed. This scenario is all too common and can feel stressful and overwhelming in the moment.
But don’t despair – with some essential tools and know-how, you can open the door and fix the underlying issue yourself, avoiding an expensive service call. In this post, I’ll walk through the steps how to open garage door with broken spring and cable.
By the end, you’ll be back in business and on your way to enjoying the comforts of your home once more.
What Will You Need?
Before we get started, let’s make sure you have the right tools at your disposal. You’ll need:
- A ladder tall enough to reach the garage door opener
- Vice grips or locking pliers
- A pair of winding bars
- Note: If you don’t have these, a steel rod with a diameter of about 1/2 inch will do.
- A helper (optional, but recommended)
Once you’ve gathered these items, you’ll be ready to get started.
10 Easy Steps on How to Open Garage Door With Broken Spring and Cable
Step 1: Disconnect the Garage Door Opener
The first thing you need to do is disconnect your garage door opener. You can do this by pulling down on the red emergency release cord at the center of your garage door opener rail. This will place your door into manual mode and allow you to open and close it by hand.
Step 2: Secure the Door
Your door may be stuck in the open or closed position, depending on how badly damaged your spring and cable are. Either way, you’ll want to ensure it’s secure before proceeding. A ladder can come in handy here – prop it up under the door so it doesn’t come crashing down as you work on it.
Step 3: Identify the Broken Spring
Take a look at your garage door springs to identify which one is broken. In most cases, it will be the larger torsion spring located above the door. This spring is under a lot of tension and can be dangerous if not handled properly. Be sure to use caution during this step. If the spring is broken into two pieces or more, avoid touching it directly and proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Loosen the Set Screws
The next step involves loosening the set screws on the broken torsion spring. These are typically found at the ends of the spring, and you will need to use your winding bars to do this.
Insert the winding bar into the bottom hole of the winding cone (the piece at the end of the spring), and hold it steady. Then, use a wrench to slowly and carefully loosen the set screws. As the tension in the spring is released, you’ll feel the winding bar begin to move. Be highly cautious during this process, as the spring is tense.
Step 5: Unwind the Broken Spring
With the set screws loosened, you are now able to unwind the broken spring. Continue holding the winding bar steady and start to develop the spring slowly. Remember, the spring is under high tension, so it’s important to proceed cautiously.
As you grow, the stress in the spring will gradually release, and the winding bar will move more freely. Once the spring is completely unwound, you can remove the winding bar.
Step 6: Remove the Broken Spring
Now, it’s time to remove the broken spring from your garage door. First, remove the winding bar from the spring cone. Then, use your vice grips or locking pliers to loosen and remove the bolts that secure the spring to the center stationary torsion cone.
Once the bolts are removed, you can slide the spring to one side and off the torsion tube. Keep a firm grip on the spring during this process to prevent it from slipping or falling.
Step 7: Disconnect the Broken Cable
With the spring removed, now turn your attention to the broken cable. The cable typically runs from the bottom bracket on each side of the door up to the cable drum at the top.
Start by loosening the set screws on the cable drum with your vice grips or locking pliers. Once the set screws are loose, you should be able to slide the cable off the drum. Be careful during this process as the cable may still be under tension.
Step 8: Install the New Spring and Cable
Now that the broken parts have been removed, it is time to install the new spring and cable. Start by sliding the new spring onto the torsion tube and securing it with the bolts. Remember to keep a firm grip on the spring during this process to prevent it from slipping.
Once the spring is securely in place, attach the new cable. Thread the cable onto the drum, ensuring it winds properly around the grooves. Tighten the set screws on the cable drum with your vice grips or locking pliers.
Step 9: Wind Up the New Spring
Now, you should wind up your new spring. Insert the winding bar into the bottom hole of the winding cone. Apply slow and controlled pressure to wind the spring. Continue this process until the spring becomes more challenging to turn. This indicates that the spring is now under tension.
Step 10: Reconnect the Garage Door Opener
The final step is to reconnect the garage door opener. You can do this by pulling down on the emergency release cord again. This will place your door back into automatic mode. Test your door a few times to ensure it is functioning correctly. Congratulations, you’ve just learned how to open a garage door with a broken spring and cable.
Following these ten steps, you can safely and effectively open your garage door with a broken spring and cable.
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Prioritize Safety
Always prioritize safety when dealing with a broken spring and cable. Wear protective gloves and eyewear to prevent loose parts or tension-release injuries.
Tip 2: Seek Professional Help if Unsure
If you need clarification or are uncomfortable with any step, feel free to seek professional help. Garage doors are heavy, and springs are under significant tension, creating the potential for injury.
Tip 3: Regular Maintenance
Regularly maintaining your garage door can prevent issues like broken springs and cables. Lubricate the springs, check for rust, and ensure the wires are not frayed.
Tip 4: Use Quality Replacement Parts
When replacing the broken spring and cable, ensure to use high-quality parts. They are expensive, but they are more durable and provide better performance.
Tip 5: Check the Balance of Your Door
After replacing the spring and cable, check the balance of your door. If it seems uneven or heavy on one side, you may need to adjust the tension of the spring. Refer to your garage door manual for instructions, or consult a professional.
With these additional tips and tricks, you can further prevent potential issues and ensure the smooth operation of your garage door.
5 Things You Should Avoid
Avoid 1: Ignoring Signs of Damage
Never ignore early signs of damage or wear on your garage door. Unusual noises, slowed movement, or visible wear on springs and cables can indicate that something needs attention. Early detection can prevent more severe problems down the line.
Avoid 2: DIY If You’re Unexperienced
If you do not have experience with garage door repairs, it is not recommended to attempt a DIY repair, particularly with components under high tension, like springs and cables. Improper handling can lead to serious injury.
Avoid 3: Using The Wrong Tools
Using the wrong or substandard tools can complicate the repair process and pose a potential safety risk. Always use the right tools designed explicitly for the job at hand.
Avoid 4: Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Neglecting regular garage door maintenance can lead to premature wear and tear, resulting in a broken spring or cable. Regular checks ensure your garage door works efficiently and lasts longer.
Avoid 5: Don’t Use Excessive Force
It’s important to use slow and controlled force when handling parts under tension. Excessive force can lead to the spring or cable snapping, causing potential injury or damage.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure a safe and effective repair process for your garage door.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how to open garage door with broken spring and cable is no easy task. It is always recommended that you seek assistance from a trained professional to do this work for you as it can be dangerous, and the exact procedure will vary depending on the type of garage door you have.
If you do choose to go it alone and attempt a repair, make sure you carefully read the instructions beforehand and have all the necessary tools required handy to save yourself time, energy, and possibly your health.
In either case, take a moment each season to inspect your springs and cables to ensure they haven’t worn out so that when winter or summer rolls around again, your garage door will be ready for use!
So don’t waste another minute – roll up your sleeves and get started now on keeping your garage door safe and secure from any potential damage.
