Broken Garage Door Spring Repair and Replacement
A broken spring is one of the most common reasons a garage door suddenly stops opening. We replace torsion and extension springs for homes in Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and across Livingston County.
How to Tell a Garage Door Spring Has Broken
Springs do the heavy lifting on a garage door. The opener only guides the door up and down, while the springs carry most of its weight. When a spring breaks, the door turns into dead weight. Most homeowners notice one or more of these signs:
- A loud bang from the garage, like a firecracker, often when nobody is using the door.
- A visible gap in the coils of the spring on the bar above the door.
- The opener hums or strains, and the door lifts a few inches and stops.
- The door feels very heavy when you try to lift it by hand.
- Cables hang loose beside the door, or the door rises crooked.
- The door drops fast instead of closing smoothly.
If you see any of these, stop using the door and call (248) 667-2325.
Torsion Springs and Extension Springs
Most newer doors use torsion springs. They sit on a steel shaft above the door and twist to store energy. Some doors have one torsion spring and some have two. Older doors and some single-car doors use extension springs instead. Those stretch along the tracks on each side of the door, and they should always have a safety cable running through them.
Both kinds wear out. Each spring is built for a set number of cycles, and one cycle is one trip up and one trip down. Many standard springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles. If your family uses the door four times a day, that adds up to close to seven years of use. Busy households reach that point sooner.
Why Garage Door Springs Break
- Normal wear. Steel gets tired after thousands of cycles, and the spring finally snaps.
- Rust. Moisture in a garage can rust the coils. Rust adds friction and creates weak spots.
- Cold weather. A Michigan winter can add stress to a spring that is already worn, which is why a break may show up on a cold morning.
- The wrong spring. A spring that is too small for the weight of the door works too hard and wears out early.
- A door out of balance. Loose cables, worn rollers or bent track make the springs and the opener work harder than they should.
What Happens When We Replace Your Spring
We start by looking at the whole door, not just the spring. A typical spring visit includes these steps:
- We check the door, the springs, the cables, the drums and the bearings, and we tell you what we found.
- We measure the old spring, including wire size, inside diameter, length and wind direction, so the new one matches the weight of your door.
- You get a written estimate before work starts.
- We release any remaining tension safely, install the new spring and wind it to the right setting.
- We check the balance so the door stays put when it is lifted halfway by hand.
- We test the opener, including the auto-reverse and the safety sensors near the floor.
On doors with two springs, replacing both at the same time is often the smarter choice. They were installed together and have done the same work. If you want springs that last longer, ask us about high-cycle springs.
Safety First: Leave Torsion Springs Alone
A wound torsion spring holds enough energy to lift a door that can weigh a few hundred pounds. If a winding bar slips, it can break bones or cause worse injuries. Please do not try to loosen, adjust or remove a torsion spring yourself, and do not cut or loosen the lift cables.
- Do not use the opener to force the door up. The motor is not built to lift the full weight, and it can strip its gears.
- If the door is stuck open, do not pull the red emergency release cord. Without a working spring, the door can fall fast.
- Keep kids, pets and cars out of the path of the door until it is fixed.
- If your car is trapped inside, tell us when you call so we can plan the visit.
Repair the Spring or Replace the Door?
A broken spring cannot be welded or patched. The fix is always a new spring. The real question is what else the door needs. A spring problem alone does not mean you need a new door. If the door is in good shape, a new spring plus a check of the cables and rollers will usually get it working well again.
Sometimes a new door makes more sense. That may be the case when panels are cracked or rotted, when a car has hit the door, or when repair bills keep adding up. If that sounds like your garage, read about our new garage door installation service. If the door moves well by hand but the opener still struggles after the spring is replaced, see our garage door opener repair page.
We work on spring systems for the door brands listed on our site, including Clopay, Amarr and Wayne Dalton. Some Wayne Dalton doors use a TorqueMaster spring that sits inside the shaft, and it needs its own parts and steps.
Spring Repair in Brighton, Howell and Pinckney
We are based at 3152 Sandpoint Drive in Brighton, and we answer calls 24/7. We replace springs for homes across Livingston County, from houses near the Mill Pond in downtown Brighton to neighborhoods around the Livingston County Courthouse in Howell and out to the village of Pinckney.
We offer same-day appointments when the schedule allows. Call (248) 667-2325 and we will tell you when a technician can be there. You can also send a request from our quote page, see all of our garage door services, or go back to the Empire Garage Door home page.
What Customers Say About Our Spring Repairs
"John and his apprentice were an absolute pleasure to work with. They replaced a broken spring on the home garage door professionally and efficiently."
"My spring broke on my garage door. John came on Friday a few hours after I called. After determining the proper size, he had it fixed quickly and professionally."
Read more on our customer reviews page.
Garage Door Spring FAQ
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
It is not safe to try. Without a working spring, the door is very heavy and can fall fast. The opener can also be damaged if it tries to lift the full weight. Leave the door closed if you can and call (248) 667-2325.
Should both springs be replaced at the same time?
On a door with two springs, it is usually a good idea. Both springs have done the same number of cycles, so the one that has not broken yet is often near the end of its life too. We will show you the condition of both and let you choose.
How long does a garage door spring last?
It depends on the spring and how often you use the door. Many standard springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles, which is several years for a typical family. High-cycle springs are built to last longer and are worth asking about if your door gets heavy daily use.
Will I get an estimate before you replace the spring?
Yes. We look at the whole door first and give you a written estimate before work starts. Warranty details are written on your estimate.