How to Diagnose and Repair a Broken Garage Door Spring

Last updated: January 15, 2025 | 8 min read

A broken garage door spring is one of the most common garage door problems homeowners face in Northern New Jersey. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through diagnosing a broken spring, understanding safety risks, and deciding whether to tackle the repair yourself or call professionals.

Table of Contents

• Signs Your Garage Door Spring is Broken
• Torsion Springs vs Extension Springs
• Safety Risks of DIY Spring Repair
• Step-by-Step Diagnosis Process
• When to Call a Professional
• FAQ

Signs Your Garage Door Spring is Broken {#signs}

How do you know if your garage door spring is broken? Here are the most common signs:

1. Door Won’t Open - The most obvious sign. If your garage door opener runs but the door doesn’t move more than a few inches, a broken spring is likely the culprit.

2. Loud Bang - Garage door springs store immense tension. When they break, they make a loud “gunshot” sound that can wake you at night.

3. Visible Gap in Torsion Spring - If you have torsion springs (mounted above the door), look for a 2-3 inch gap in the spring coils.

4. Door Opens Crooked - For extension springs (on sides), one broken spring causes the door to lift unevenly.

5. Door Feels Heavy - A spring-less garage door weighs 150-300 pounds. If it feels extremely heavy when lifting manually, springs may be broken.

6. Opener Motor Strains - The opener motor runs but makes grinding noises and can’t lift the door.

Torsion Springs vs Extension Springs {#types}

Understanding what type of springs you have is critical before attempting any repair.

Torsion Springs

Location: Mounted horizontally above the garage door opening
How they work: Wind and unwind to lift/lower the door
Lifespan: 10,000-20,000 cycles (5-7 years with normal use)
Difficulty to replace: VERY DIFFICULT - requires specialized tools and is extremely dangerous

Pros:

• More durable and longer-lasting
• Smoother, quieter operation
• Fewer break-related accidents

Cons:

• Professional installation recommended
• Very dangerous to replace DIY

Extension Springs

Location: Mounted on the sides of the door above the horizontal tracks
How they work: Stretch and contract as door moves
Lifespan: 7,000-12,000 cycles (4-6 years)
Difficulty to replace: DIFFICULT - still dangerous but slightly easier than torsion

Pros:

• Lower cost than torsion
• Slightly safer for DIY (with proper safety cables)

Cons:

• Break more frequently
• Can cause more damage when they break
• Noisier operation

Safety Risks of DIY Spring Repair {#safety}

⚠️ WARNING: We strongly recommend hiring a licensed professional for spring replacement.

Here’s why:

Extreme Tension

• A single torsion spring can exert 200-300 pounds of force
• When improperly handled, springs can cause:
  • Broken fingers or hands
  • Facial injuries
  • Severe lacerations
  • Loss of eyesight
  • Death (rare but documented)

Special Tools Required

• Winding bars (not screwdrivers!)
• C-clamps
• Wrenches
• Ladder
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

Common DIY Mistakes

1. Using wrong size replacement spring (causes premature failure)
2. Under-winding or over-winding
3. Not securing door during replacement
4. Releasing tension too quickly
5. Not installing safety cables on extension springs

Emergency rooms in Northern NJ treat dozens of garage door spring injuries every year. Don’t become a statistic.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis Process {#diagnosis}

If you want to diagnose the problem before calling a professional, here’s a safe process:

Step 1: Disconnect the Opener

1. Pull the red emergency release cord
2. Manually try to lift the door about 3-4 feet
3. Let go - does it stay in place or fall?

If it falls: Springs are definitely broken or severely worn

Step 2: Visual Inspection

For Torsion Springs:

• Look above the door for the spring(s)
• Check for a visible gap (2-3 inches) in the coils
• Look for rust or corrosion
• Check if spring looks stretched or deformed

For Extension Springs:

• Look on both sides above the door tracks
• Check if one side looks slack
• Inspect for breaks or separation
• Verify safety cables are present

Step 3: Count Remaining Cycles

If springs aren’t broken yet but you’re concerned about lifespan:

Average use: 4 cycles per day = 1,460 cycles/year
10,000-cycle spring: Lasts ~6-7 years
Know your door’s age? Multiply years × 1,460 = approximate cycles used

When to Call a Professional {#professional}

Call a licensed garage door technician if:

1. ✅ Torsion spring is broken (DO NOT DIY)
2. ✅ Extension spring is broken and you’re not 100% confident
3. ✅ You don’t have the specialized tools
4. ✅ You value your safety and time
5. ✅ The door is double-wide or oversized
6. ✅ Springs are custom or hard-to-find sizes

Benefits of Professional Repair

Average DIY time: 3-6 hours (if everything goes right)
Professional time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Professional cost: Contact for free quote
DIY hospital visit: Potentially thousands (seriously, it happens)

What you get with a pro:

• Correct spring tension calibration
• Proper cable adjustment
• Full door balance testing
• Safety inspection of all components
• Warranty on parts and labor
• Zero risk of injury

Garage Door Spring Repair in Northern NJ

At Ez2Fix, we’ve replaced over 5,000 garage door springs across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Same-Day Service: Most spring repairs completed within 4 hours of your call
• Upfront Pricing: No hidden fees - you know the cost before we start
• 10-Year Warranty: On all spring installations
• Licensed & Insured: NJ Contractor #13VH13553300
• Quality Parts: We use only commercial-grade springs from Clopay, Wayne Dalton, and Amarr

Serving: Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Clifton, Hackensack, and 70+ Northern NJ cities

FAQ About Broken Garage Door Springs {#faq}

How much does garage door spring replacement cost?

Torsion springs: Cost depends on door size and spring type
Extension springs: Generally lower cost than torsion

Factors affecting cost: door size, spring type, accessibility, additional repairs needed. Contact us for a free estimate.

How long do garage door springs last?

Standard torsion springs last 10,000-20,000 cycles (5-10 years). Extension springs last 7,000-12,000 cycles (4-6 years). Heavy daily use shortens lifespan.

Can I replace just one spring?

For extension springs, yes - but we recommend replacing both sides for balanced operation. For torsion springs, if one breaks, the other is likely near failure, so replacing both saves you a second service call.

Will my garage door opener work with a broken spring?

No. The spring does 90% of the door’s lifting work. Without functioning springs, your opener motor will strain, overheat, and potentially burn out. Do not repeatedly try to open a door with broken springs.

How can I make my springs last longer?

1. Lubricate springs 2x per year with silicone spray
2. Keep door balanced - test annually
3. Don’t over-cycle the door unnecessarily
4. Install high-cycle springs (20,000+ cycles)
5. Keep moisture out of garage (rust accelerates failure)

Conclusion

While it’s possible to diagnose a broken garage door spring yourself, replacement is inherently dangerous and ideally left to licensed professionals. The risks of injury far outweigh the cost savings of DIY repair.

If you’re in Northern New Jersey and need garage door spring repair, call Ez2Fix at (201) 554-6769. We offer same-day service, upfront pricing, and a 10-year warranty on all spring installations.

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About Ez2Fix: Licensed garage door professionals serving Northern NJ since 2013. Over 12,000 doors serviced with a 5.0★ rating from 145+ customers.

Related Articles:

• Why Won’t My Garage Door Close? 10 Common Causes & Fixes
• Garage Door Safety: What Every Homeowner Should Know
• How to Choose the Right Garage Door Spring