Garage door springs break without warning. One day your door works fine, the next morning it won’t budge or drops like a rock when you try to open it. You need new springs.
This guide covers how to replace a garage door spring, including both types: extension springs (safer for DIY) and torsion springs (dangerous; we recommend professional help). Our experts shared their experience to show you exactly what’s involved, what tools you need, and when you should stop and call a professional instead.
Broken springs are also a cause of the most DIY injuries. Read the safety warnings carefully before you decide whether to tackle this yourself.
But Should You Replace Garage Door Springs Yourself?
The answer depends entirely on which type of springs your door uses.
Extension springs run along the sides of your door, parallel to the horizontal tracks. Most homeowners with basic tool skills can replace these safely. The job takes 1-2 hours and costs $40-80 in parts.
Torsion springs mount on a bar above your door. These springs are under extreme tension with 200+ pounds of force. They can cause serious injury if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. Professional replacement costs $200-300 and takes about an hour. We strongly recommend calling Easy Garage Door at (832) 570-3845 for torsion spring replacement.
Critical Safety Warnings Before Starting
Garage door spring replacement sends people to the emergency room every year. Broken fingers, shattered wrists, and facial injuries from flying metal parts. This isn’t a scare tactic. This is reality based on years of repairing doors after failed DIY attempts.
Extension springs can snap during removal and whip across your garage. Wear safety glasses. Keep your face away from the spring path.
Torsion springs store enough energy to break your wrist if the winding bar slips. The spring can explode if you use the wrong size winding bar. The door can fall and crush you if you don’t secure it properly.
Required safety equipment:
- Safety glasses (not regular glasses)
- Heavy work gloves
- Closed-toe shoes
- Long pants and long sleeves
- Sturdy 6-foot ladder
- C-clamps or locking pliers to secure the door
Absolute RULES our technicians follow:
- Never work alone on torsion springs
- Never use screwdrivers or the wrong tools as winding bars
- Never stand directly in front of springs while working on them
- Never skip securing the door before you start
- Never continue if anything feels wrong or unstable
If you feel uncomfortable at any point, stop immediately and call Easy Garage Door at (832) 570-3845. There’s no shame in getting professional help. Our technicians handle these dangerous repairs safely every day.
Cost Comparison: DIY vs Professional Spring Repair
| Option | Estimated Cost |
| DIY Extension Springs | $40–$80 for springs, $20–$40 for tools if you don’t have them |
| DIY Torsion Springs | $50–$100 for springs, $30–$60 for winding bars, risk of injury |
| Professional Service | $200–$300 for complete replacement with warranty |
The professional option includes proper spring sizing, safe installation, testing, and a warranty on parts and labor.
How to Replace Extension Springs Step-by-Step
Extension springs are the DIY-friendly option. Follow these steps carefully, and you can replace them safely in 1-2 hours.
Step 1: Secure the Door
Close the garage door completely. Unplug your garage door opener from the electrical outlet. If it’s hardwired, flip the circuit breaker.
Open the door about 3 feet. Insert C-clamps or locking pliers in the track just below the bottom roller on both sides. This prevents the door from falling while you work.
Step 2: Release Tension from the Old Spring
Locate the pulley at the end of the horizontal track. The spring attaches to this pulley. Remove the bolt or unhook the spring end from the track bracket.
The spring will still have some tension. Let it relax slowly. Don’t let it snap back suddenly.
Remove the safety cable that runs through the center of the spring. This cable prevents a broken spring from flying across the garage.
Step 3: Remove the Old Spring
Unhook the other end of the spring from the track hanger bracket near the door. The spring should now be completely free.
Remove the pulley and cable system. You’ll reinstall these with the new spring.
Step 4: Install the New Spring
Thread the new safety cable through the center of the new spring before installing anything else.
Attach one end of the spring to the track hanger bracket near the door. Make sure it’s secure.
Attach the other end to the pulley bracket at the back of the track. Again, make sure the connection is solid.
Step 5: Adjust the Cable
The cable connects the bottom of the door to the spring/pulley system. Make sure it’s properly seated in the pulley grooves.
Adjust cable tension so it’s snug but not overly tight with the door closed.
Step 6: Test the Spring
Remove the C-clamps from both sides of the track. Manually lift the door halfway. It should stay in place. If it drops, the springs are too weak. If it rises, they’re too strong.
A balanced door will stay put at any point between fully closed and fully open.
Step 7: Repeat for the Other Side
Go through the same process for the spring on the other side of the door. Both springs must be installed for the door to work properly.
Step 8: Final Testing
Reconnect your garage door opener. Test the door with the opener several times. Listen for any unusual sounds. Watch for jerky or uneven movement.
The door should move smoothly up and down. Both sides should rise and fall evenly.
Common Mistakes with Extension Springs
Installing only one spring (always do both sides), forgetting the safety cables, not securing the door before starting, using mismatched springs on each side, over-tightening or under-tightening cable connections
If your door won’t balance after installation, don’t keep adjusting things randomly. You might have the wrong springs. Call us at (832) 570-3845 for help.
How to Replace Torsion Springs: Why You Should Call a Professional
We’re including information on torsion spring replacement so you understand what’s involved. After reading this section, most people decide to call a professional. That’s the smart choice.
Torsion springs kill and injure more DIYers than any other garage door component. The springs are wound tight with 30 to 40 quarter-turns of tension, storing 200-400 pounds of force. If that releases suddenly, it breaks bones.
What Makes Torsion Springs So Dangerous
- The winding bars must fit perfectly in the winding cones. If the bar slips, it becomes a weapon spinning at high speed.
- The springs are under tension even when unwinding. Each quarter-turn releases force that can jerk the bar from your hands.
- The winding cones can explode if you use the wrong tools. Metal shrapnel can hit your face or hands.
- The door can fall and crush you if you don’t secure it properly during the job.
- Most homeowners don’t have the right winding bars. Using substitute tools (like screwdrivers or wrong-size bars) causes most injuries.
If you still want to attempt this yourself, here’s what’s involved:
Tools and materials needed:
Tools You’ll Need
- Two 1/2″ x 18″ solid steel winding bars (must be an exact fit for your cones)
- Socket wrench set
- Adjustable wrench
- C-clamps
- Ladder
- Safety glasses and heavy gloves
- Measuring tape
- New torsion springs (precise measurements required)
Measuring Torsion Springs
- Measure the wire diameter with calipers (typical range: 0.207″ to 0.273″)
- Measure the inside diameter of the spring (common sizes: 1.75″, 2″, 2.25″)
- Measure the length of one complete spring
- Count how many quarter-turns of tension are on each spring
- Note the wind direction (right-wind or left-wind)
Important: Get these measurements wrong, and you’ll install springs that don’t balance your door. Too weak, and the opener strains. Too strong, and the door can fly open.
The Replacement Process
- Mark the torsion bar and cable drums so you can return them to the exact position.
- Secure the door with C-clamps. Disconnect the opener.
- Unwind the old springs using winding bars.
- This step alone sends people to the ER.
- Each spring requires 30-40 quarter turns to unwind.
- The bar can slip. The cone can explode. Your hand can get caught between the bar and the wall.
- Remove the springs from the torsion bar. Remove the entire bar if needed to replace both springs.
- Install new springs on the bar.
- Make sure you have the correct wind direction.
- Right-hand spring goes on the left side of the door. Left-wind goes on the right side.
- Get this backward, and the springs won’t work.
- Wind the new springs using winding bars.
- This is the most dangerous part.
- Each spring gets 30-40 quarter turns of tension.
- You must insert the winding bar completely into each hole. If it’s not fully inserted, the cone can explode.
- Test the door balance. Adjust tension if needed.
Common Problems After Spring Replacement
Even with correct installation, you might encounter issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot them.
The Door Won’t Stay Closed
- The springs have too much tension. You need to remove 1/4 turn from each spring.
- For extension springs, you can adjust the cable attachment point to reduce tension.
- For torsion springs, you’ll need winding bars to remove tension safely. If you’re not comfortable doing this, call for help.
The Door Won’t Stay Open
- The springs don’t have enough tension. Add 1/4 turn to each spring.
- Make sure you installed both springs. One spring can’t balance the door alone.
- Check that the springs are the correct size. Weak springs can’t support the door weight.
The Door is Crooked or Uneven
- The cable came off one of the drums. Check both drums and reseat any loose cables.
- One spring installed incorrectly. Check that springs match on both sides.
- Track alignment issues. Springs might not be the problem. The vertical tracks might be out of plumb.
The Door Closes Too Fast Or Slams Shut
- Springs are too weak for your door weight. You need stronger springs.
- This is dangerous. The door can injure someone or damage itself. Call for replacement springs immediately.
The Door Makes Loud Noises
- Lubricate all moving parts, including springs, rollers, and hinges. Use garage door lubricant or white lithium grease.
- Check for loose hardware. Tighten all bolts and brackets.
- Worn rollers or hinges might be the problem, not the springs.
Opener Struggles To Lift The Door
- Springs don’t have enough tension. Add 1/4 turn to each spring.
- Springs might be too weak. Check that you installed the correct springs for your door weight.
- Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door. If it’s very heavy, the springs are definitely too weak.
When to Call Easy Garage Door Instead of DIY
Some situations clearly call for professional help:
Your Door Has Torsion Springs
These springs are too dangerous for most DIYers. The tension involved can cause serious injury. Our technicians replace torsion springs safely every day with proper tools and training.
Your Door Is Oversized Or Unusually Heavy
Standard residential doors weigh 150-200 pounds. Commercial doors or custom wood doors can weigh 400+ pounds. These require industrial-strength springs that are even more dangerous to replace.
You Don’t Have The Right Tools
Borrowing or improvising tools for spring replacement causes accidents. The wrong-size winding bar can slip from the winding cone and break your hand. Proper tools cost $50-100 if you only use them once.
You’re Not Confident About The Job
If you’re reading this guide and feeling uncertain, trust that instinct. There’s no shame in calling a professional. There’s only regret from pushing ahead when you shouldn’t.
The Door Is Damaged Beyond Just Springs
Sometimes broken springs damage other components. Cables might be frayed. Drums might be cracked. The track might be bent. A professional inspection catches all these problems at once.
You’ve tried DIY, and Something Went Wrong
The door won’t balance. Cables came off. The spring won’t wind properly. Stop before you make it worse. Call us to fix both the original problem and whatever went wrong during your DIY attempt.
You Need It Fixed Today
Easy Garage Door offers same-day service throughout the greater Houston area, including League City, Conroe, Mesquite, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Katy, and all surrounding communities.
We answer calls 24/7 at (832) 570-3845. Most spring replacements are completed within a few hours of your call.
How to Maintain New Garage Door Springs
Proper Maintenance Extends Spring Life and Prevents Sudden Failures
Monthly Checks (5 minutes)
- Visually inspect springs for rust, gaps in coils, or visible wear.
- Listen for unusual sounds when operating the door.
- Test door balance by disconnecting the opener and manually lifting the door halfway (it should stay in place).
Every 3 Months (15 minutes)
- Lubricate springs with garage door lubricant or white lithium grease.
- Check all bolts and brackets for tightness.
- Clean tracks and rollers.
- Test safety features (door should reverse when blocked).
Annually (30 minutes or hire a professional)
- Full inspection of the entire door system.
- Lubricate all moving parts.
- Tighten all hardware.
- Check cable condition.
- Test opener settings.
What Reduces Spring Lifespan
- Opening and closing the door more frequently uses up the spring’s cycle life faster. Each open-close cycle counts against the spring’s rated lifespan.
- Extreme temperature changes make springs more brittle. Garage doors in unheated garages experience more spring failures.
- Lack of lubrication increases friction and wear. Dry springs work harder and fail sooner.
- Imbalanced doors put uneven stress on springs. One spring works harder than the other, causing premature failure.
Signs Your Springs Need Replacement Soon
- Visible gaps in the spring coils.
- Door feels heavier than normal when manually lifting.
Door closes faster than it should. - Door doesn’t stay open at the halfway point.
- Loud creaking or popping sounds when door operates.
Don’t wait for complete failure. Replace springs when you notice these warning signs.
Sum Up
Extension springs: Possible DIY project for handy homeowners with the right tools and safety equipment. Takes 2-3 hours. Saves $100-150 vs. professional installation.
Torsion springs: Dangerous DIY project. High injury risk without proper tools, training, and experience. Professional installation costs $200-300 and includes a warranty.
The smart choice for most homeowners is calling a professional for torsion springs and attempting extension springs yourself only if you’re confident and properly equipped.
We serve the greater Houston area, including all surrounding communities. Call (832) 570-3845 for same-day service. Most spring replacements are completed within hours of your call.
Don’t risk injury trying to save $100. Your safety is worth more than that.
