How To Replace A Broken Garage Door Torsion Spring

That Heart-Dropping Snap: Your Garage Door Torsion Spring Just Quit

We’ve all been there. One minute you’re hitting the button to head out, the next you hear that awful BANG – like a gunshot inside your garage. Yep, your torsion spring just threw in the towel. Suddenly, lifting that door feels like bench pressing a Buick. Annoying? Absolutely. Dangerous? Potentially. Let’s chat about why these springs break, the real risks of DIY, and how to tackle replacement if you’re feeling brave (or stubborn).

At Legion Garage Doors here in Edmonton, we’ve replaced more busted springs than we’ve had hot coffees – and trust us, that’s a lot. If you’re in Sherwood Park or anywhere in the YEG area, we’ve got your back. But if you’re dead-set on DIY? We’ll walk you through it. Just promise us you’ll read the safety part twice.

Why Do Torsion Springs Break Anyway?

These coiled beasts above your door handle all the heavy lifting. They twist (or “torque”) to counterbalance the door’s weight. But metal fatigue is real, folks. Every open/close cycle stresses them, and after 10,000–15,000 cycles (about 7–12 years for most homes), they snap.

Classic culprits:

• Rust from our lovely Edmonton winters (salt + moisture = spring kryptonite).
• Poor lubrication (dry springs overheat and weaken).
• Incorrect tension (too tight = premature failure).
• Just plain old age.

Hear grinding or screeching before the big snap? That’s your spring screaming for help. A noisy garage door is often stage one of spring failure. FYI, if it’s already broken? STOP using the door immediately. Forcing it can shred cables, warp tracks, or damage your opener.

⚠️ Safety First: No, Seriously, This Ain’t a Drill ⚠️

Let’s cut the fluff: Replacing a torsion spring is THE most dangerous DIY garage repair. These coils store insane kinetic energy. One slip with a winding bar? That metal rod becomes a projectile. We’ve seen shattered windows, concussions, and worse. IMO, this isn’t worth the ER trip.

When to call Legion Garage Doors (or any pro) immediately:

• Your door is heavy (over 200 lbs) or oversized (double-car, tall ceilings).
• Cables are frayed or detached (garage door cable repair is no joke).
• The track looks bent (garage door track alignment issues complicate everything).
• You’re unsure about spring specs (wrong size = instant re-break).

If you still insist on DIY, gear up:

• Safety glasses (non-negotiable).
• Gloves with grip.
• Steel winding bars (18+ inches, NEVER pipes or screwdrivers!).
• Vice grips or locking pliers.

Gearing Up: What You’ll Need to Replace That Broken Spring

Alright, DIY warriors. Here’s your shopping list:

1. The correct replacement spring – Match length, inside diameter, and wire gauge EXACTLY. Measure your old spring before disassembly. Pro tip: Left-wound and right-wound springs exist. Get it wrong, and… well, it won’t work.
2. Winding bars (2) – Specialty tools from hardware stores (~$20).
3. Socket wrench set – For set screws and bearing plates.
4. Vise grips – To clamp cables.
5. Ladder – Stable and tall enough.
6. Lubricant – White lithium grease for the new spring.

Common Torsion Spring Specs by Door Weight:

Table based on standard residential steel doors. Heavy wood or commercial garage doors need pro assessment.

Step-by-Step: Swapping Out That Broken Garage Door Torsion Spring

Reminder: If anything feels sketchy, STOP and call a garage door contractor near me like Legion. Seriously.

Step 1: Lock It Down & Release Tension

• Disconnect the opener (pull that red emergency release cord!).
• Manually lower the door until it’s fully closed.
• Clamp vice grips on the track BELOW the bottom roller. This keeps the door from flying up.
• Broken spring? It’s lost tension already. Intact but sagging? You’ll need to unwind it carefully (see Step 4 in reverse).

Step 2: Remove the Old Spring

• Unscrew the set screws on the broken spring’s stationary cone (center bracket).
• Slide the spring off the torsion tube. Watch for sharp edges!
• Loosen and remove cables from the cable drums (left and right). Label them!

Step 3: Install the New Spring

• Slide the new spring onto the torsion tube. Match winding direction (coils should angle toward door opening).
• Reattach cables to drums, keeping tension even. Uneven cables cause garage door track repair nightmares.
• Secure the stationary cone set screws finger-tight.

Step 4: Wind the Spring (The Scary Part)

• Insert winding bar into hole on winding cone. Hold FIRMLY.
• Rotate the cone slowly (usually 1/4 turns). Count your turns! Standard is 7–8 full turns for a 7-ft door.
• After each 1/4 turn, insert the second bar into the next hole to “lock” tension. Alternate bars.
• Critical: Bars MUST stay parallel to the ground. Angled bars can slip.

Step 5: Test & Adjust

• Remove vice grips from tracks.
• Manually lift the door halfway. It should stay put. If it drops or rises, tension is off.
• Adjust winding (1/4 turn increments) until balanced.
• Reconnect opener and test. Listen for odd noises – grinding suggests garage door track alignment issues.

Why Most Folks Call Legion Garage Doors Instead

Look, we admire guts. But garage door torsion spring replacement is like defusing a bomb – possible, but why risk it? Here’s why Edmonton locals ring us up:

• Safety: Our techs train for this. No winding-bar shrapnel in our shop.
• Speed: We replace springs in 30–60 mins. DIY often takes half a day (and multiple hardware store runs).
• Guarantees: We warranty parts AND labor. Snap a DIY spring? You eat the cost.
• The Extras: While we’re there, we’ll spot cable wear, track misalignment, or opener issues. One visit solves it all.

Price talk? Residential spring replacement typically runs $200–$400 in Edmonton. Commercial overhead door repair with heavier springs? $400–$800+. Compare that to ER bills or a new garage door panel when things go sideways.

FAQs: Your Torsion Spring Questions, Answered

1. Can I just replace one spring if I have two?
Nope. Always replace both. Springs wear evenly. A new spring paired with an old one will fail faster and strain your opener.

2. How long should a new torsion spring last?
7–12 years with proper maintenance (lubing every 6 months). Skip the lube? Expect 3–5 years.

3. My door is unbalanced/shaking. Is it the spring?
Possibly. But it could also be loose hardware, worn rollers, or track issues. Get a pro diagnosis before assuming it’s garage door spring adjustment.

4. Can I install an opener on a door with a broken spring?
Absolutely not! The opener can’t handle the door’s full weight. You’ll fry the motor. Fix the spring first, then tackle automatic garage door opener installation.

Wrapping Up: Stay Safe, Edmonton!

Replacing a broken garage door spring yourself can be done… but it’s like doing your own dental work. Possible? Technically. Advisable? Not really.

At Legion Garage Doors, we handle garage door spring repair daily across Edmonton and Sherwood Park – safely, quickly, and with zero drama. Whether it’s a snapped spring, a noisy garage door, or a full garage door replacement, we’ve got the expertise (and the right tools!).

Don’t gamble with 200+ lbs of tension. If that spring’s busted, give us a shout. We’ll get you back to hassle-free parking faster than you can say “garage door torsion spring replacement” three times fast. 🙂

Stuck mid-DIY? Door acting funky post-repair? Contact Legion Garage Doors today – let the pros finish the job!