garage door opener repair question

[paulxcook]

My garage door opener is a screw drive Genie opener, kinda old but still does the job. One of the two springs above the door snapped and is in two pieces now, so now only one side of the rod is doing any lifting: I have to pull up on the other side for the door to go up.

I have no interest in fixing this myself. How much should I expect to pay for this repair? Anyone have a ballpark estimate for me?

 

[iamwiz82]

I believe I paid $80 to have mine replaced last year, which were torsion type (above the door, running from left to right. It took him about 20 minutes to do. I thought about it, but pretty much everyone says that it's not worth the risk.

 

[Carbo]

This has happened to me twice. It was a while ago, but if I recall it was around $150-$175. Most companies will recommend you do both springs. If one broke, the other probably isn't far behind.
And this is probably not a repair you want to do yourself. Those springs are under tremendous tension. One mistake could be a fatal one.

 

[slag]

since you dont have the super dangerous torsion spring, but rather the kind that are on either side of the garage door, this is a very very easy repair that should take approx 15 mins or so for someone to do.

Newer springs (past 5 years or so at least), have a cable running through them as well so when they break, they dont fly all over and hit things/people.

I replaced one about 3 years ago and it took me 10 minutes to do. Yes, its very easy and shouldnt cost much. I think the spring was about $10.00 from homedepot. There are different sizes and strengths so make sure whoever replaces it get the same one/color.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: slag
since you dont have the super dangerous torsion spring, but rather the kind that are on either side of the garage door, this is a very very easy repair that should take approx 15 mins or so for someone to do.

Newer springs (past 5 years or so at least), have a cable running through them as well so when they break, they dont fly all over and hit things/people.

I replaced one about 3 years ago and it took me 10 minutes to do. Yes, its very easy and shouldnt cost much. I think the spring was about $10.00 from homedepot. There are different sizes and strengths so make sure whoever replaces it get the same one/color.

I'm certain this opener is more than 5 years old, I would guess it's pre-21st century. I might check out Home Depot just to see what's what. These don't seem like the super-high torsion ones, but I don't know for sure.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: paulxcook

Originally posted by: slag
since you dont have the super dangerous torsion spring, but rather the kind that are on either side of the garage door, this is a very very easy repair that should take approx 15 mins or so for someone to do.

Newer springs (past 5 years or so at least), have a cable running through them as well so when they break, they dont fly all over and hit things/people.

I replaced one about 3 years ago and it took me 10 minutes to do. Yes, its very easy and shouldnt cost much. I think the spring was about $10.00 from homedepot. There are different sizes and strengths so make sure whoever replaces it get the same one/color.

I'm certain this opener is more than 5 years old, I would guess it's pre-21st century. I might check out Home Depot just to see what's what. These don't seem like the super-high torsion ones, but I don't know for sure.

Here is a pic of extension versus torsion spring setup: http://www.clopaydoor.com/GarageDoor-Spring-System.aspx

Is your spring parallel to the door or perpendicular to it?

 

[paulxcook]

Ok, no, I definitely have torsion springs. I'll call a pro, no way I'm messing with those. My springs are parallel and look almost exactly like the torsion pic on that site.

 

[boomerang]

My wife manages an Overhead Door Company.

Replace both springs. If one goes, the other is not far behind. Better to pay for one service call, than two.

My wife says winter is when the majority of the springs break.

Link

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Ok, no, I definitely have torsion springs. I'll call a pro, no way I'm messing with those. My springs are parallel and look almost exactly like the torsion pic on that site.

ah, i was wrong again.. yep, good call, definitely call in a pro. Torsion springs are nothing to mess with

 

[BoomerD]

Definitely NOT recommended as a DIY type of job...It CAN be done, but those torsion springs hurt a lot of people who don't know what they're doing...and, if you do it wrong, the door won't function properly...

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: boomerang
My wife manages an Overhead Door Company.

Replace both springs. If one goes, the other is not far behind. Better to pay for one service call, than two.

My wife says winter is when the majority of the springs break.

Link

Would your wife happen to know approx. what it'll cost to have both replaced?

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: paulxcook

Originally posted by: boomerang
My wife manages an Overhead Door Company.

Replace both springs. If one goes, the other is not far behind. Better to pay for one service call, than two.

My wife says winter is when the majority of the springs break.

Link

Would your wife happen to know approx. what it'll cost to have both replaced?

Well, of course she would, but we're in Michigan and you're in Indiana. I'm not sure her price would be relevant. Just call a few places locally. It's standard type work for garage door companies. They should be able to give you a quote over the phone. Springs is springs for homeowner doors. That price will be the same no matter what springs you need.

Heh-heh, she just called and I asked her. $209 if you're in her service area. That's for both springs. I didn't ask about just one. And I'm not going to. Good Luck!

 

[Wheezer]

once you get it installed, keep it lubricated, i had mine replaced and the guy suggested a combination of motor oil and WD-40 every 6 months or so.