Garage Door Broke

[jsfinn]

I got home tonight, came in through the garage, and hit the button to close the door. As I was walking in the house, a heard a kaboom coming from the garage, went back out to check it out. Nothing seemed out of place - so to see if it was something outside, I hit the button to open the garage door but it just opened about a foot or so and stopped. After some playing around, I think the torsion spring broke because when I release the trolley and try to manually push the door open, it's much heavier than normal. The problem is, I can't see the torsion spring to know it's broke because it's inside of the torsion tube. This particular torsion tube is a Wayne Dalton Torque Master.

Does anyone have experience with these? I think it's original to the house, which is about 8 years old. From some quick googling, it seems like these Torque Masters are pretty junky.

I want to figure out if it's worthwhile to have this Torque Master repaired, or, if it's just going to keep giving me problems, if I should have it replaced with a traditional torsion tube and torsion springs?

About how much should I expect for repair or replacement?

Thanks for your input!

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Garage Door Broke

First of all, you're LUCKY!!!

Those springs can do all kinds of damage, so if yours was contained in a tube that prevented it from tearing up the garage and anything in it, you're lucky.

If it broke, it probably has to be replaced anyway, so plan on replacement. Messing with those springs is not a job you want to do yourself though, as they are dangerous, so just call around to a few garage door companies and get some quotes.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Garage Door Broke

I'm guessing that to replace the spring (which is what usually breaks) will be about $150 to have it done. We had one break on our shop door and that is what the company charged us to repair it. For my own use, I prefer the extesnion spring style with a cable running thru it. If the extension spring breaks, the cable prevents it from falling damaging you or your vehicle. Plus it makes it easier for a DIYer to replace. The torque style springs can be very dangerous while loading up the spring tension. Good Luck.........SS

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Garage Door Broke

Yes, have it done by a professional and have them replace both springs (if it has two) at the same time.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Garage Door Broke

The repair guy just left. He replaced the bar with an identical one - this Torque Master really is a neat setup. After watching the guy, I think next time I'd do it myself. In this Torque Master setup, the springs are inside of the bar, so there is no danger of them letting go and hurting you. The tension is set by turning a bolt with a drill that turns the springs inside of the bar.

The guy did the job in about 45 minutes for $200. Not too bad, I guess.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Garage Door Broke

$200 for a $6 part!!!!!
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Just kidding!

Glad it was a quick fix.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Garage Door Broke

Haha! $6? Nah. I bet the part would have cost me $100 but I can't find it anywhere online. It's the whole entire bar and spring assembly. Another $100 to know it's done right and to see how it's done?

...Worth it!

 

[aspeck]

Re: Garage Door Broke

I did it myself after the installer botched up the job ... only took me 4 DAYS to get it set right ... it was a pain to do it yourself, even though it looks really easy. The trick was to get it in the right position BEFORE starting to turn the bolt with the drill ... I had cables coming off, tracks getting out of wack, etc. I think a lot of it was because the installer didn't know what he was doing, but that said, neither did I. Even after completeing it, I am not sure I could repeat the proceedure - even though it was easy when it was done right.

 

[i386]

Re: Garage Door Broke

Not quite the same deal, but my neighbors spent a weekend installing a garage door. Later, the wife told us she would NEVER install a garage door again. They almost got a divorce over it.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Garage Door Broke

Does one need to lubricate those springs, or are they better left dry?

 

[INJUN]

Re: Garage Door Broke

When I had my door replaced, the installer advised me to spray them with wd40 once or twice a year. He said that any spray lube would be okay too.
Make sure your vehicles are not around though.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Garage Door Broke

Thanks, I'll do that. I dislike seeing them oxidised, i must have something against rust.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Garage Door Broke

When the guy came out to fix my door, he sprayed the tracks, rollers, and hinges with white lithium grease. They even sold their own brand with the company logo on the can.

The door is considerably quieter since he did that.