How to Replace a Garage Door Spring, and Why the Pros Say Don’t

Replacing a garage door spring means releasing a spring that holds enough force to lift a door of well over 100 pounds, then winding a new one to the same tension. It can be done, but door makers and their trade group say homeowners should not try it. DASMA puts it plainly: spring systems are dangerous and should be repaired only by trained professionals.

This guide explains what the job involves, why it goes wrong and what it costs to have it done. It does not give step-by-step instructions. If your spring just broke, leave the door closed and keep people clear of it.

Can you replace a garage door spring yourself?

Technically yes, but every major source in the industry advises against it. Wayne Dalton, a large door maker, says garage door springs are not a do-it-yourself repair. Clopay says working on a spring system is not a typical DIY project.

DASMA goes further in its spring identification sheet. It says spring replacement should only be performed by a trained door systems technician. HomeGuide warns that DIY attempts can result in serious injury or death.

The risk is not the spring itself. It is the stored force. A wound torsion spring is twisted tight enough to balance the whole door. Releasing or adding that force by hand is where people get hurt.

What does replacing a torsion spring involve?

A torsion spring sits on the steel shaft above the door. This Old House describes the job in outline. The tension has to be released a quarter turn at a time with steel winding bars. Set screws on the winding cone hold the spring in place. Springs come in right and left hand pairs that must go on the correct side.

The new spring then has to be wound to the right number of turns for the door. Too few turns and the door feels heavy. Too many and it flies up. This Old House notes that these springs are under high tension and can cause serious injury if mishandled.

Our torsion vs extension springs guide explains how each type works and how to tell which one your door has.

Why does the replacement spring have to match exactly?

A spring is sized to the weight of the door. Color codes help identify springs, but DASMA’s sheet notes that they leave out crucial details such as inner diameter, length and stretch. It says color codes should be confirmed by measuring the spring and knowing the door weight.

The wrong spring causes trouble. DASMA’s sheet on spring cycle life says a spring that does not meet the door’s counterbalance needs can shorten the life of the door and the opener. It also lists winding a spring backwards as a safety issue for the installer.

Door weight can change over time, too. DASMA notes that paint and other additions can push a door past its original weight. A spring matched to the door when it was new may no longer be right.

What about extension springs?

Extension springs run above the horizontal tracks and stretch as the door closes. DASMA warns that they are under high tension when the door is down. HomeGuide notes that a breaking extension spring can fly across the garage.

That is why every extension spring needs a safety cable. DASMA says the cable runs through the spring and is secured to the wall or ceiling at each end. If your extension springs have no safety cables, DASMA advises calling for a safety inspection.

Should both springs be replaced at once?

Yes. DASMA says that if your door has two springs, you should replace both, even if one is not broken. They went in on the same day and did the same work, so the second one is usually close behind.

Springs are rated in cycles. HomeGuide lists torsion springs at 10,000 to 20,000 cycles and extension springs at 5,000 to 15,000. Clopay says the average door opens and closes about 1,500 times a year.

How much does garage door spring replacement cost?

A professional spring replacement usually costs $150 to $350. The table compares parts and professional prices from national sources.

The parts are a small share of the bill. Most of what you pay covers the skill to match the spring and set its tension safely. Our spring replacement cost guide breaks down what moves the price, including heavier wind rated doors. To total up a spring job with other repairs, try our cost estimator.

What should you do when a spring breaks?

Stop using the door. Genie warns against running a door with a broken spring, by hand or with the opener. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that a badly unbalanced door could crash to the floor.

Leave the door where it is and keep people and cars clear. Do not loosen the bottom brackets. DASMA says they are under extreme tension and should be loosened only by a trained technician. Our garage door parts diagram shows where the springs, cables and brackets sit.

Spring broken? Call Majestic Garage Door at (813) 774-1127, or see our spring repair page. We answer 24/7, check the whole door and agree on the price with you before any work starts.