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Message
re: Have you ever replaced garage door springs
Posted on 8/4/25 at 4:11 pm to tigerrage08
Posted on 8/4/25 at 4:11 pm to tigerrage08
Springs should be loose in the door up position.
0
Posted on 8/4/25 at 5:18 pm to tigerrage08
Pay someone to do it. The potential for disaster is high.
Posted on 8/4/25 at 8:59 pm to mdomingue
I just paid $375
He was at my house for less than 25 minutes and the part may be $100 ish
It’s fixed but I thought I paid a little more than expected
He was at my house for less than 25 minutes and the part may be $100 ish
It’s fixed but I thought I paid a little more than expected
This post was edited on 8/4/25 at 9:00 pm
Posted on 8/4/25 at 9:43 pm to tigerrage08
The older that I get, the more I mentally weigh two key metrics before a DIY project. Hassle factor and safety factor.
Example (I do this intuitively and don’t actually add up the numbers):
Hassle factor (0 would be I have a screw/nut/bolt/etc in the garage and a quick fix, 1-6 is that I have to go to Lowe’s for the part and have the tools to fix it with the aid of an instruction manual or YouTube video. 7-10 would be I have to get the part from a specialty store or order online without Amazon prime and need instructions via manual/video throughout the process, +/- renting or borrowing a specialty tool that I don’t own.
Safety factor is how llikely it is to have a major injury or death during the repair (6 would be short term disability if something went awry, 7-9 would be long term disability/unable to return to work, 10 would be my wife living off of my life insurance policy).
Cleaning the gutters on a two story house would rate 0 for hassle but high on the safety factor (I have a big extension ladder already). Garage door springs would rate highly for both. The two times that ours have snapped and I’ve been home, it sounded like someone fired a shotgun in my garage (even from across the house). Lots of potential energy in those springs.
Example (I do this intuitively and don’t actually add up the numbers):
Hassle factor (0 would be I have a screw/nut/bolt/etc in the garage and a quick fix, 1-6 is that I have to go to Lowe’s for the part and have the tools to fix it with the aid of an instruction manual or YouTube video. 7-10 would be I have to get the part from a specialty store or order online without Amazon prime and need instructions via manual/video throughout the process, +/- renting or borrowing a specialty tool that I don’t own.
Safety factor is how llikely it is to have a major injury or death during the repair (6 would be short term disability if something went awry, 7-9 would be long term disability/unable to return to work, 10 would be my wife living off of my life insurance policy).
Cleaning the gutters on a two story house would rate 0 for hassle but high on the safety factor (I have a big extension ladder already). Garage door springs would rate highly for both. The two times that ours have snapped and I’ve been home, it sounded like someone fired a shotgun in my garage (even from across the house). Lots of potential energy in those springs.
Posted on 8/5/25 at 5:50 am to tigerrage08
Years ago I tried one and didn’t know about the bars. I just started taking it apart. I was 1 bolt away from certain death when I decided to look up a video. Reversed everything I had done and called a professional. 
Just a couple years ago though I helped my father-in-law replace springs, but he had the bars and seemed to know what he was doing.
Just a couple years ago though I helped my father-in-law replace springs, but he had the bars and seemed to know what he was doing.
This post was edited on 8/5/25 at 5:52 am
Posted on 8/5/25 at 5:57 am to Chad504boy
It was less than that last time I had it done, that was several years ago, though.
Posted on 8/5/25 at 6:08 am to tigerrage08
Yes, and it is very easy to be honest. Don't use homemade winding rods. Buy a pair on Amazon for $14. Very basic and not unsafe as long as you don't get in a hurry.
If I recall it is 1 complete turn per foot of garage door height. That's 4 - 1/4 turns with the rods. Wear safety glasses and stay out of direct line with the rods. When done winding you let the rest on the garage door and tighten the 2 3/8 square nuts on the winder to the bar. Snug them up nice and tight but don't crush the bar.
Really not that difficult and not that dangerous if you take your time and have the right tools which are cheap. Use a bolt or screwdriver as a torsion tool and you are asking for all kinds of trouble and potential injury.
If I recall it is 1 complete turn per foot of garage door height. That's 4 - 1/4 turns with the rods. Wear safety glasses and stay out of direct line with the rods. When done winding you let the rest on the garage door and tighten the 2 3/8 square nuts on the winder to the bar. Snug them up nice and tight but don't crush the bar.
Really not that difficult and not that dangerous if you take your time and have the right tools which are cheap. Use a bolt or screwdriver as a torsion tool and you are asking for all kinds of trouble and potential injury.
This post was edited on 8/5/25 at 8:43 am
Posted on 8/5/25 at 7:00 am to BasilFawlty
quote:
Just had mine replaced by Doortech for $400
Same for me about a year and a half ago. Easy dealing with them - I am also a pretty big DIY guy but that is something that I would not mess with.
Posted on 8/5/25 at 7:22 am to LanierSpots
quote:
I would highly recommend you NOT fricking around with them. Most services will replace them pretty cheap. You can lose some body part function messing with those springs. No kidding. They are cheap to replace and very dangerous
Listen to this plz
Posted on 8/5/25 at 11:08 am to Chad504boy
Local guy from Houma replaced my single door spring in Thibodaux for $185.
The risk is not worth the hassle or danger!
The risk is not worth the hassle or danger!
Posted on 8/5/25 at 1:29 pm to BoogaBear
quote:
Nope.
100% call someone
The only reasonable answer
Posted on 8/5/25 at 3:37 pm to tigerrage08
Paid to have done. I’ve done a ton around here and after brief review could tell I didn’t want to fk with that. Thats given the fact that I’ve replaced the opener/motor before, which was a PITA but doable.
My matrix:
Technical expertise required.
Specific parts needed that I’ll never use again.
Danger factor.
Consequences if I fk it up.
My matrix:
Technical expertise required.
Specific parts needed that I’ll never use again.
Danger factor.
Consequences if I fk it up.
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