Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

It is not recommended. Springs store enough energy to cause severe injury, and correct replacement requires winding bars, accurate spring sizing, and proper tensioning. This is a repair to leave to a trained technician.

How long do garage door springs last?

Most springs last roughly 7 to 12 years, or about 10,000 open-and-close cycles. Households that use the garage as the main entry reach that number faster.

Should both springs be replaced at once?

Usually yes. On a two-spring door, both have the same wear history, and replacing only one leaves the door unbalanced and the remaining spring likely to fail soon after.

Can I open the door with a broken spring?

Do not try. The door is extremely heavy without spring support, and forcing the opener to lift it can damage the motor, the gears, and the door itself.

Spring replacement

Spring Replacement in Utah

Broken or worn springs replaced and re-tensioned so the door lifts easily and holds its position.

Garage door springs carry nearly all of the weight of the door. When a spring breaks, the opener suddenly has to lift a few hundred pounds it was never designed to move, and the door becomes dangerous to operate by hand.

Spring work is the single most safety-critical repair on a garage door. Springs are under extreme tension, and releasing or setting that tension without the right winding tools and technique causes serious injuries every year. Freedom Garage Doors replaces torsion and extension springs, sets the correct tension for the actual door weight, and rebalances the system before testing it.

Signs you need spring replacement

A visible gap or separation in the coiled spring above the door
The door lifts a few inches and stops, or slams down when released
A loud bang from the garage with no obvious cause
The opener strains, hums, or reverses while trying to lift
The door feels extremely heavy when lifted by hand

How the work is done

1
Inspect and weigh the door
We confirm the spring type, measure wire size, inside diameter, and length, and check the true weight and balance of the door.
2
Release tension safely
Remaining tension is unwound with proper winding bars, and the cables and drums are inspected while the system is relaxed.
3
Install matched springs
New springs sized to the door are installed, and cables are reset evenly on both drums so the door lifts square.
4
Tension, balance, and test
Springs are wound to the correct turn count, the door is balance-tested at mid-travel, and opener force and reversal are verified.

Why springs wear out

Springs are rated in cycles, and one cycle is a single open and close. A standard spring may be rated around ten thousand cycles, which a busy household can reach in roughly five to seven years of everyday use.

Cold weather, rust, and poor lubrication all shorten that life. On a two-spring door, replacing both at the same time is usually the practical choice, because the second spring has the same age and cycle count as the one that just failed and an unmatched pair pulls the door out of balance.

What affects the price

Torsion versus extension spring system
Spring size, cycle rating, and whether one or two are replaced
Condition of the cables, drums, and center bearing
Door weight, including insulation and window inserts

Spring Replacement questions

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?: It is not recommended. Springs store enough energy to cause severe injury, and correct replacement requires winding bars, accurate spring sizing, and proper tensioning. This is a repair to leave to a trained technician.
How long do garage door springs last?: Most springs last roughly 7 to 12 years, or about 10,000 open-and-close cycles. Households that use the garage as the main entry reach that number faster.
Should both springs be replaced at once?: Usually yes. On a two-spring door, both have the same wear history, and replacing only one leaves the door unbalanced and the remaining spring likely to fail soon after.
Can I open the door with a broken spring?: Do not try. The door is extremely heavy without spring support, and forcing the opener to lift it can damage the motor, the gears, and the door itself.

Related services

Spring Replacement by city

Freedom Garage Doors provides spring replacement throughout Salt Lake County, Utah County, and the Wasatch and Tooele county communities listed below.

Ready to get your door running?

Call for a quick answer or request a quote and we’ll get back to you.

Call (385) 462-0234 Request a quote

Spring Replacement in Utah

Signs you need spring replacement

How the work is done

Inspect and weigh the door

Release tension safely

Install matched springs

Tension, balance, and test