Extension Spring Replacement: preparing for the visit

A bang like a dropped toolbox came from the garage last night. This morning one of the long springs beside the track hangs in two pieces, and the door will only rise a few inches before the opener gives up and stops.

Worth answering before the call

Is there anything stored beside the tracks or under the springs? Is a spring broken in two, hanging loose, or just looking stretched? Is the door closed, fully open, or stuck partway?

Can I keep using the opener until the spring is replaced?

It is better to leave the door where it is. With one spring gone, the opener is lifting most of the door's weight on its own, which strains the motor, can bend the top section and often throws a cable off its pulley, adding to the work. Use another door in and out, keep the bay clear, and let the technician move the door once it is secured.

How long do extension springs last?

Springs are rated in cycles, one cycle being a full open and close, and a standard set is built for a number in the ten-thousand range. A door used four times a day gets through that in several years; a door used a few times a week takes far longer. An unheated, damp garage shortens the figure through rust. Regular lubrication and a door kept in balance stretch it out.