5 min read
Torsion and extension springs do the actual work of lifting a garage door — the opener motor only has to manage the last little bit of effort. When a spring goes, the door becomes far too heavy to lift safely, and the failure itself can happen violently. Here's how to catch it early.
Warning signs before a full break
Springs usually degrade before they snap outright — catching it here means a cheaper, scheduled repair instead of an emergency one.
- A loud bang from the garage (often mistaken for a car backfiring or something falling)
- The door feels noticeably heavier when opened manually
- The door opens unevenly, with one side lifting faster than the other
- A visible gap in the coiled spring above the door
- The opener strains, makes grinding noises, or the door only opens a few inches before stopping
Why this isn't a DIY repair
A wound torsion spring stores a huge amount of tension — enough to cause severe injury if it releases uncontrolled, which is exactly what happens without the right winding bars and technique. This is one of the few home repairs where professional tools aren't a convenience, they're a safety requirement.
It's also not just about the spring itself: springs are sized precisely to a door's weight. The wrong size either wears out fast or puts unsafe strain on the opener and cables.
What a proper spring replacement includes
A correct repair replaces both springs at once (even if only one broke — the other is the same age and close to failing too), inspects the cables and pulleys the spring system shares load with, and balances the door afterward so the opener isn't compensating for uneven tension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do garage door springs last?
Most are rated for 10,000–15,000 cycles (one cycle = open + close), which works out to roughly 7–12 years of normal use — sooner with multiple daily openings.
Should I replace one spring or both?
Both, even if only one broke. They wear at the same rate, and replacing just one leaves mismatched tension that strains the door and often triggers a second failure within months.