When your garage door suddenly won’t open, feels unusually heavy, or you hear a loud “bang” from the garage, a broken spring is often the cause. Springs do the heavy lifting in your door system, and when one fails, the door can become unsafe to operate and may put extra strain on your opener.
In this video, we focus on an important step in safe, professional service: comparing old and new spring measurements. Matching the correct spring matters because even small differences in size can affect door balance, performance, and long-term reliability.
Why Accurate Spring Measurements Matter
A garage door spring isn’t “one size fits all.” The correct spring is chosen so your door is properly counterbalanced. When the spring is sized correctly, the door opens smoothly, stays balanced at mid-travel, and doesn’t overload the opener.
If the wrong spring is installed, you may experience:
– A door that’s still too heavy (opener strains or stops)
– A door that shoots up too quickly
– Uneven travel that can loosen or damage cables
– Faster wear on rollers, hinges, drums, and the opener
– Increased safety risks during operation
Professional spring selection and installation helps protect your entire garage door system.
Old vs New Spring: What We Check
When replacing a spring, technicians typically compare key physical specifications. While the exact items depend on whether you have torsion or extension springs, the goal is the same: match the proper lift and cycle rating.
Common torsion spring factors
– Wire size: A critical measurement that impacts lift strength.
– Inside diameter (ID): Often stamped on the winding cone.
– Overall length: Measured when the spring is relaxed (not wound).
– Wind direction: Left-wind vs right-wind matters for safe installation.
– Cycle life: Higher cycle springs can provide longer service life.
Why “close enough” isn’t good enough
A spring that is slightly off can change door balance dramatically. That’s why measuring and verifying the replacement spring before installation is a best practice in garage door spring repair.
Signs You May Have a Broken Garage Door Spring
Not sure if your spring is the problem? Here are common symptoms:
– The garage door won’t open or only lifts a few inches
– The door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it
– The opener runs but the door doesn’t move
– The door looks uneven or crooked as it moves
– You notice a visible gap in a torsion spring
– Cables appear loose near the sides of the door
If any of these are happening, stop using the door and schedule professional service.
Safety Warning: Don’t DIY Spring Repairs
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. Attempting to unwind, remove, or install a spring without proper tools and training can cause serious injury or property damage. Also, repeatedly trying to run the opener with a broken spring can burn out the motor or damage the rail and gears.
If you suspect a broken garage door spring, it’s safest to leave the door closed and call an experienced technician.
Garage Door Spring Repair in Plantation, FL
M&M Garage Door Service provides dependable garage door spring repair in Plantation, FL. We focus on correct spring matching, safe installation, and restoring proper door balance so your system runs smoothly.
Whether your door uses torsion springs or extension springs, our technicians can help diagnose the issue and recommend the right repair.
Schedule Service with M&M Garage Door Service
If your garage door won’t open, feels heavy, or you suspect a broken spring, contact us today.
M&M Garage Door Service
Website: https://mnmgaragedoorrepair.com/
Phone: (954) 787-3756
Email: mjmgaragedoor1958@gmail.com
Address: 1611 NW 82nd Ave, Plantation, FL 33322
Get your garage door working safely again—call to schedule your spring repair or request a quote.
