Garage door shakes when it closes. I used WD-40 on the track, but it didn't help

[JEDI]

for months i noticed that my garage door shakes when it closes.

so i finally got some wd-40 and sprayed the track. but it still shakes.

suggestion?

THX

 

[spaceman]

Originally posted by: JEDI
for months i noticed that my garage door shakes when it closes.

so i finally got some wd-40 and sprayed the track. but it still shakes.

suggestion?

THX

realign the track

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: JEDI
for months i noticed that my garage door shakes when it closes.

so i finally got some wd-40 and sprayed the track. but it still shakes.

suggestion?

THX

make sure the tracks are straight? the wheels are straight etc?

maybe its the spring?

 

[freebee]

Door is not balanced. Balance door.

Lube using lithium/or heavier weight grease.

 

[JEDI]

the garage used to come down straight.

realign the track? what do you mean? how?

how did the door become off balanced? and how to balance the door?

why would the wheels/track become crooked?

 

[mobobuff]

To prevent binding, tracks must be properly aligned to guide the rollers. If one or both of the tracks needs adjustment, loosen its mounting bolt and use a hammer and a wood block to persuade it in the proper direction, then retighten the bolt.

 

[spaceman]

Originally posted by: JEDI
the garage used to come down straight.

realign the track? what do you mean? how?

how did the door become off balanced? and how to balance the door?

why would the wheels/track become crooked?

buildings shift and settle.
is it a new garage?
ive rarely operated a garage door let alone own one, but i do know they operate on a track mechanism and if it is shuddering as you close, common sense points to the track being misaligned.

 

[JEDI]

no. 10 years old.

it might have been shaking for years for all i know. i never look when it closes.

i just noticed a few months ago when i sat in the driveway when it closed.

i finally did something about it today (wd-40).

how do i know which side is off balanced? and how do i know when it's the proper alignment? or is it just trial and error?

 

[Cheezeit]

i have a similar problem except mine makes a huge noise when opening/closing.

 

[Ornery]

Disconnect the opener from the door. There should be a pull chain to do that. Lift the door to waist level and let go. It shouldn't go up or down. That's balanced. See if one side is higher than the other, that it's level. If not, one cable needs to be adjusted. If I were you, I wouldn't mess with it.

Lubricate the roller bearings in the wheels with straight 20 weight, non detergent oil, not WD-40. Inspect all those bearings to make sure they're intact. Sometimes the race gets destroyed, which may also be your problem. Those rollers are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[Dabappa]

Also check the pulleys that the counter-balance cables run through.

The bearings went in mine and caused problems similar to what you described.

Replacements should only be a few bucks at the hardware store or your favorite ubiquitous orange home center.


Good Luck,

 

[erikistired]

there's one for sale in FS/T.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Disconnect the opener from the door. There should be a pull chain to do that. Lift the door to waist level and let go. It shouldn't go up or down. That's balanced. See if one side is higher than the other, that it's level. If not, one cable needs to be adjusted. If I were you, I wouldn't mess with it.

Lubricate the roller bearings in the wheels with straight 20 weight, non detergent oil, not WD-40. Inspect all those bearings to make sure they're intact. Sometimes the race gets destroyed, which may also be your problem. Those rollers are cheap and easy to replace.

don't mess w/it? it wont lead to any problems?!

 

[vailr]

Originally posted by: JEDI
10 years old.

it might have been shaking for years for all i know. i never look when it closes.

i just noticed a few months ago when i sat in the driveway when it closed.

i finally did something about it today

It's not until your 3rd post that you mention that an automatic opener is also involved.
It's more likely that the garage door opener mechanism is worn out.
Such as: the plastic gears are worn out.
Or else the metal bearings are bad, worn drive gear, loose drive chain, etc. (depends on the specific brand and model).

 

[Ornery]

don't mess w/it? it wont lead to any problems?!

Don't mess with adjusting the cables that lift the door, if that turns out to be the problem. That is, if the door isn't level when it's raised to waist level. If it's not in balance, don't YOU mess with it either. Have somebody do it, who understands the danger of screwing with a torsion spring. People have been maimed and some killed tightening or releasing these springs. Hire a professional.

 

[JEDI]

those springs broke twice on me in 10 yrs.

i replaced them (in pairs) w/replacements from home depot. each time i got a stronger set of springs, thinking it'll last longer. (from 115lbs to 125 to 140.) (extension springs)