How Much Tension To Put On Garage Door Springs

Side mounted springs are long heavy springs mounted on each side of the upper garage door track.

How much tension to put on garage door springs.

Garage door springs offset the weight of the door and allow it to open and close with ease. If your garage door weighs 250 pounds your torsion springs need to exert a force of 250 pounds to make the door easy to open and close. The springs extend along the shaft and work by twisting as the garage door closes by means of cables attached to each side of the lowest garage door panel. The torsion spring helps the garage door open and close easily.

A problem with the spring tension could cause the door to open or close unevenly improperly or at the wrong speed and adjusting the springs will likely solve the problem. If the door is hard to raise the tension at the hinge springs is too loose and the automatic closer must work too hard to raise the door. Tension is reduced by removing turns. If the garage door isn t opening or closing properly then check the tension on the torsion springs for needed adjustments.

Without functioning torsion springs your operator has to accept your garage door s full weight. Raise the door using the handle on the outside. On standard lift doors the formula is dh dc 1 or the door height in inches divided by the drum circumference in inches plus one. With locking pliers clamped on the torsion tube winding bars are used to wind the springs tighter to increase tension.

Because they exert a large amount of force your torsion springs are under a huge amount of pressure. You can find vertical lift doors normally in commercial and industrial applications such as on loading docks. Adjustments should be made in 1 4 turn increments. This completes a total of seven spring turns adequate for a standard garage door.

There are two torsion springs at each side of the garage door. After winding the spring you may need to add or subtract a quarter turn or more. When two springs are used both sides should be adjusted the same. When you count 30 turns you should know that you have completed the remaining five turns.

In case of doubts on how many times you need to turn the spring contact a technician for guidance. This tension makes it easier to lift the garage door from its closed position.