Balancing a Springtown Gates & Garage Doors with two springs is essential for its smooth and efficient operation. Proper balance ensures that the door opens and closes evenly, reducing strain on the springs, motor, and other components. If your garage door feels heavy when manually operated or if it’s making unusual noises, it’s likely that the door is out of balance.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand how to balance a garage door with two springs:

Materials and Tools You’ll Need:

  • Ladder or step stool
  • Measuring tape
  • Wrenches (adjustable and open-end)
  • Vice grips (optional)
  • A helper (if needed)

Step-by-Step Guide to Balancing a Garage Door with Two Springs:

1. Safety Precautions:
Before you begin, make sure to disengage the garage door opener and unplug it from the power source. This prevents the door from accidentally moving while you’re working on it.

2. Identify the Problem:
Determine if the garage door is unbalanced by manually operating it. If the door feels heavy or if one side of the door closes faster than the other, it indicates an imbalance.

3. Release Tension:
To safely balance the garage door, you need to release tension from the springs. Here’s how:

  • Use a ladder to access the garage door springs. Springs are under tension, so exercise caution and wear safety goggles.
  • If your garage door has extension springs, place a vice grip on one end of each spring to prevent it from recoiling unexpectedly.
  • If your garage door has torsion springs, use a wrench to open the winding cone on the spring. Insert the wrench into one of the holes on the winding cone and turn it slightly in the direction that releases tension. Do this for both springs.

4. Close the Door:
Manually close the garage door fully to reset the tension on the springs.

5. Check Balance:
Check the balance of the door by lifting it manually halfway and releasing it. If the door stays in place or moves slightly up or down, it’s properly balanced. If one side drops or rises significantly, it’s unbalanced.

6. Adjust the Springs:
Follow these steps to adjust the tension on the springs:

  • If one side of the door is heavier, it means that the springs on that side need more tension. To do this:
  • For extension springs, move the vice grip to a higher hole on the spring bracket.
  • For torsion springs, use a wrench to tighten the winding cone on the spring by turning it slightly in the direction that adds tension.
  • If one side of the door is lighter, it means that the springs on that side have too much tension. To do this:
  • For extension springs, move the vice grip to a lower hole on the spring bracket.
  • For torsion springs, use a wrench to loosen the winding cone on the spring by turning it slightly in the direction that releases tension.

7. Test and Adjust:
Manually open and close the garage door several times to test its balance. Make small adjustments to the spring tension as needed until the door opens and closes smoothly and evenly.

8. Retest and Fine-Tune:
After making adjustments, test the door’s balance again. Fine-tune the spring tension until both sides of the door are balanced and move evenly.

9. Secure the Springs:
Once you’ve achieved balance, secure the springs by tightening the set screws on the torsion spring cones or removing the vice grips from extension springs.

10. Re-engage the Opener:
Plug the garage door opener back in and re-engage it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Additional Tips:

  • Work with Caution: Working with garage door springs can be dangerous due to the high tension they hold. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable, consider seeking professional assistance.
  • Equal Spring Tension: Ensure that both springs have equal tension to maintain balance.
  • Regular Maintenance: Periodically check and adjust the balance of your garage door to prevent wear and tear on the springs and other components.
  • Professional Help: If you’re unsure about adjusting the springs or if the door remains unbalanced, it’s advisable to consult a professional garage door technician.

Conclusion:

Balancing a Springtown Gates & Garage Doors with two springs requires careful adjustment to ensure smooth and even operation. By following the steps outlined in this guide and exercising caution when working with springs, you can achieve proper balance, extend the lifespan of your door components, and enjoy trouble-free garage door operation. If you’re not comfortable with the process or encounter difficulties, consider seeking assistance from a professional garage door technician.

Springtown Gates & Garage Doors

104 Adalida Ln, Springtown, TX 76082, United States

1-817-631-1036