Garage Door SpringsIf you must have information on garage door springs, I'll start with another warning IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. If your not handy with tools, call a repairman. An Important Note:This page is for information purposes only and is not to be used as a guide for winding or unwinding of garage door springs.Refer to your manufacturer's specifications for guides and procedures specific to your door. The SpringsThe springs themselves are tubular and have a long rod run through them. The rod has a drum attached at either end which has a cable attached and lifts the door. These cables must be taught and vise grips must be placed on the rod so as the cables cannot loosen and unwind, before you start winding the spring. The springs are bolted together in the center of the door. They are each wound with enough tension to lift the door and balance it approximately 3-4' off the ground. This makes the door seem lighter than it really is. (Another reason to be be very carefull) The springs are wound in 1/4 turns with 1/2" thick steel rods approximately 12-14" long. (I have used 1/2" rebar cut to length with a hacksaw in the past) Make sure the rods are strong enough. Don't use wood or anything that might bend or break during the winding process. You place one in a hole, in the end of the spring, wind 1/4 turn and place another rod in the subsequent hole. Winding continuously until you reach the manufactures specs. for your particular door. Once your there, you tighten a bolt down to the rod, thus fixing the tensioned spring to the rod. Remove the vise grips. This procedure is then repeated on the other spring. UnwindingUnwinding your garage door springs is the exact reverse. You must still start with your large vise grips on the bar that runs through the spring. These fit for your safety, so they will wedge against the wall and stop the bar from rotating and lifting the door or the cables loosening and comming off the drums. Once your sure everything is locked in place and your confident of your footing, insert your 1/2" rod into the uppermost hole in the spring. Make sure each rod goes all the way into each hole, so there is no chance of it slipping out. Have your second rod readily available to insert into the next hole and loosen the set bolt. LOOSENING THE SET BOLT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE PROCEDURE. PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION!! This will put the spring tension onto your first rod. Slowly release the tension until it is safe to insert the second rod into the next hole. Exchange tension from the first to the second rod. Continue releasing tension from one rod to the other until all of it is gone. You now have to repeat the process on the other spring unless it had been broken or there isn't any tension to it. Garage Door Repair
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