Garage door vertical springs

[expat]

A friend has an older 8' wide aluminum garage door. Last week one of the vertical springs (one either side of the door) broke.

Our local Home Depot can order in replacment springs in 130, 160 and 180 lbs capacity.

What one would I need?

I assume thas as doors do not come smaller than 8' then 2× 130 lbs springs would be OK?

Any input welcome.

 

[blupupher]

You need to look at the old spring. To weak a spring will not open the door correctly and will break sooner. I believe they are color coded.

Edit: Yup, look here

 

[raytseng]

see if he can read or find a stamp on the broken spring for the part #. and then get the same part.

if its a verticsl spring likely you hsve a onepiece garage system e.g. a holmes e900. do not replace with colorcoded springs intended for extension or torsion doors thst are linked above if it is not a match to your broken spring.

you also want to replace in pairs otherwise the door is going to be crooked.

if he knows his hardware (e.g. its a holmes e900 garage set) then itll be helpful for him to review the installation and calibration steps.
google e900 installation instructions or youtube 1 piece garage calibrstiin.

 

[expat]

Thank you, I think this will help a lot

 

[Kuato]

Maybe get a matched set once you figure the rating required.

 

[raytseng]

extra links for a likely holmes e900
http://www.onepiecegarage.com
also google to see the paper manual

spring install and balancing video
https://youtu.be/VgxtZlpW9us

all parts usually avail at homedepot or shippable to you if not in store.

last tip. to get the spring on, lift with your legs not your arms or back. the YouTube guy above does demonstrate that.

 

[expat]

Looks like we wiĺl have to weigh the door. The spring colour is difficult to deturmin, and some coils had been bound by wire (to make the spring stronger?)

HD in Canada only seem to offer 3 spring colours/strength.

 

[doitmyself]

If you have any overhead garage door companies in town, they can determine the spring strength if you take one in. In my area, they are even competitive with the big box stores regarding prices.

Follow safety precautions....those things can be dangerous.

 

[expat]

I do not know how the wi&# etc. got in my last post, it looks like I intended bad language,

But that was not intended. I did not see it when I posted.

Mystery!

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
If you have any overhead garage door companies in town, they can determine the spring strength if you take one in. In my area, they are even competitive with the big box stores regarding prices.

Follow safety precautions....those things can be dangerous.


The two local garage door specialists said that (vertical spring) arrangment was obsolete.

They could only suggest a new door with a torsion spring, but the framing will not allow easy instalation.

 

[xfactor9]

What do you mean vertical spring? Are you talking about extension springs?

This link will show you how to estimate the the tension strength by counting coils (to calculate the wire gauge):
http://ddmgaragedoors.com/springs/one-piece-garage-door-extension-springs.php

An 8-foot wide aluminum door will weigh ~75 to 100 lbs depending on its height. 130lbs springs are too strong; you may not be able to close your door.