Garage Door Springs

[Waxman]

Just broke my first torsion spring on my Raynor overhead door.(YAY!!!) It's a 10' door.

Should I buy heavier springs or stock size?

My door costs are fairly high, with repairs and maintenance rising each year.

I want to replace the springs but not pay out the wazoo.

Thoughts?

TIA/Waxman

 

[soapy]

Springs are rated by cycles. Generally you want to buy a spring rated for 100,000 cycles for commercial operations. You also want to keep them lubed during the life of the spring. If you have a good commercial door mechanic he could take your broken spring and clamp it back together and rewind the spring to get you by for a while. I have several doors that use counterweights and they generally work well but do have maintenance issues also. Each type has its challenges. If you ever go to a counterweight system make sure you use a heavy duty strap system rather than a cable and drum.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I actually used a spring clamp for almost 5 years after it broke. I also made my own winding bars, to wind the doors or help with the occasional dropped cable.
The doors can be really dangerous when winding the springs! Soapy is right , go with springs that have 100,000 cycles and have the bearings replaced with the springs.

 

[car washing systems inc]

Just broke my first torsion spring on my Raynor overhead door.(YAY!!!) It's a 10' door.

Should I buy heavier springs or stock size?

My door costs are fairly high, with repairs and maintenance rising each year.

I want to replace the springs but not pay out the wazoo.

Thoughts?

TIA/Waxman

You can get the springs in stainless steel but they have to be the same size, wire size and length. You cant over size the springs because you will have trouble getting the door to work.

 

[Waxman]

Thanks guys!

It was clamped this morning and is functioning properly now.

I plan to order 2 full sets of springs. I am certain front door will be next to wear out. Will get some drums and rods while I'm ordering parts.

Thankfully, with days like we have had in New England the wash has been busy so I do not fret about ordering spares of key components.