Correct tension is necessary for your garage door to open and close correctly. If the spring tension isn’t precisely balanced, then the garage door may open or close unevenly or at wrong speeds.
It’s possible to learn how to fix garage door cable tension on your own. However, since the springs and cables are under so much tension, it is often safer to work with a professional.
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If you do decide to go it on your own, you must know how to release the tension on a garage door spring because this will help simplify your work. Here are some tips on how to adjust spring tension on an overhead garge door.
1. Get Your Tools Ready
When adjusting the garage door tension, you’ll require some tools and safety equipment. They include a sturdy ladder, an adjustable wrench, safety glasses, two C clamps, hard hat, gloves and a marker.
2. Recognize the Springs
Your garage might use two types of springs: side-mounted extension springs or torsion springs.
Side-mounted extension springs are easy to adjust, and they run parallel to the track. These springs are found on either side of the garage door. Torsion springs, on the other hand, are found above the garage door and run parallel with the top of your garage door.
3. Adjust Overhead Garage Door Springs
Before you can adjust the garage spring tension, you must understand what’s the cause of the improper tension in the first place. This will help you determine the best way to fit the spring.
How to Determine Necessary Garage Door Spring Adjustment
Some problems that might require you to adjust the garage door springs include the following.
- The door closing unevenly — you’ll need to balance the tension
- Not closing fully, difficult to close or the door opens too fast — you’ll need to decrease the tension
- The door is difficult to open, or it closes too quickly — you’ll need to increase tension
4. Release Garage Door Spring Tension
You’ll need to relieve spring tension before you can start working on your garage door. Leaving the door open is the best way to release the tension on a garage door cable. Start by clamping the door using the C clamps on each door track under the bottom rollers to keep it open.
You’ll then use your step ladder to access the cable that holds the garage door open. Since there’s no tension on the spring, you can easily remove the spring hook from the track hanger, then move it to a different hole to change the tension.
5. Adjust Garage Door Spring Tension
The next step is fixing garage door spring tension. You need to adjust both springs equally by moving the hook to a different hole at a time.
How to Decrease Garage Door Spring Tension
To decrease tension on the garage door spring, you should move the spring hook to a lower hole on the door track. This reduces spring tension.
How to Increase Garage Door Spring Tension
If you want to know how to tighten the cable on the garage door, adjust the garage door springs and increase tension, hook the cable to a hole that’s higher on the door track. This stretches the spring and increases tension.
How to Increase Garage Door Spring Tension on One Side
If you’re looking to adjust the tension on one side, then adjust the cable on the side where there was a gap. Hook the cable to a lower hole on the hanger to decrease tension.
6. Test Your Door
After you’ve made the adjustments, unclamp the door and see how it feels. Continue adjusting until the door can close the way you want.
Rely on Jarusewski’s Garage Door Service
Fixing garage door spring tension can be a handy job for many homeowners — but only if they have the proper equipment and some understanding of the garage door system. If you’re looking for a professional in Carlisle, PA to assist you with fixing garage door cable tension, trust Jarusewski’s Garage Door Service. We’re experts in providing high-quality garage door services quickly. We can even deliver same day service! Contact us today or call (717) 243-0712 for a free quote and estimate.