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AR15.COM
12/27/2011 2:46:23 AM EDT
Two-car garage door has not been closing properly for the past week or so.  One side touches the ground, the other is about two inches up.  For the past couple of days it has not been opening or closing without manual assistance.  I cannot see any obstructions in the rails so I'm pretty sure one spring is the problem.  When closed, the cable on the side that touches the ground is not as tense as the one on the other side.  Do you think the spring has broken or just needs wound up?

Thanks.
12/27/2011 3:09:16 AM EDT
[#1]
It could be a broken spring.   Having had one fail at my last house, call a garage door company and save yourself the ass ache.
12/27/2011 4:42:20 PM EDT
[#2]
How many springs are on your door and what type
12/27/2011 4:59:47 PM EDT
[#3]
Could be the guide that the cable rolls up on slipped and released tension on the spring.  You should be able to easily lift the door if both cables are tensioned properly and you release the latch on the chain.  The one side is up because the cable with the most tension is pulling it up.
12/27/2011 6:19:35 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
How many springs are on your door and what type


Two springs.  Not sure what you mean by type.
12/27/2011 6:20:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Could be the guide that the cable rolls up on slipped and released tension on the spring.  You should be able to easily lift the door if both cables are tensioned properly and you release the latch on the chain.  The one side is up because the cable with the most tension is pulling it up.


One cable is not tensioned properly, but I am unsure of the cause.
12/28/2011 9:59:21 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Quoted:
How many springs are on your door and what type


Two springs.  Not sure what you mean by type.




The two type of springs are Torsion springs which will be on a shaft above the door OR Stretch springs which will be on each side of the top of the track
12/28/2011 10:58:31 AM EDT
[#7]
I see.  They are torsion springs.
12/28/2011 4:11:00 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I see.  They are torsion springs.


If you have a broke spring you would be able to tell just by looking at it since you have torsion springs I think your problem may be in the drums that the cables wind up on. I am willing to bet the set screws have come loose and allowed the drum to slip a little there by making one cable longer than the other.
12/29/2011 2:59:45 AM EDT
[#9]
Thanks.  Is that something that can be fixed without risking digits?
12/29/2011 10:00:41 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Thanks.  Is that something that can be fixed without risking digits?


YES and NO the problem is that the shaft may be mess up and need to be repleced either way it requires the springs to be unwound and the drums to be reset. I do not recommend you try to do it your self and to just call the door company to fix it. You will come out cheaper in the long run if you get hurt or make things worst I would also look for worn out rollers. Remember the springs are under a great deal of pressure that can and will hurt you very badly if you make even a simple mistake.
12/30/2011 3:06:57 AM EDT
[#11]
Thank you, sir.  I think I will call someone who does this for a living.