Written by Jeff Gabelsberg, Founder, Jolly Goat Garage Doors (24 years of experience).
Jeff Gabelsberg’s garage door story started when he was just a teenager — partly by accident, partly by fate, and fully with a knack for making customers smile. After years of learning the trade and seeing how service could be done better, he founded Jolly Goat Garage Doors to build a happier, better-trained team that treats people like neighbors, not just another stop on the schedule.
Garage doors are probably one of the most regularly used parts of your home since you use them to access your car and storage space every day. Over time, the components of your garage doors, including the springs, inevitably get worn out.
A broken garage door spring is more than a frustrating inconvenience. It can make your door heavy, unstable, and unsafe to use. Garage door springs are under extreme tension, and when they snap or are handled incorrectly, they can cause serious injury or damage to your garage door system.
So let’s make the message clear right from the start: Don’t try this yourself — call us.
Related Article: Signs of Worn or Broken Garage Door Springs: What You Need to Know
At Jolly Goat Garage Doors, we provide professional garage door spring replacement for homeowners who need their door working safely again. Whether your home has torsion springs, extension springs, or an older spring system, our team knows how to inspect the problem, replace the right parts, and get your garage door running smoothly without putting you or your family at risk.
Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken
Garage door springs help counterbalance the weight of the door. When they are working properly, your garage door opener does not have to lift the full weight of the door on its own. When a spring breaks, the door can suddenly feel extremely heavy or stop working altogether.
Here are common signs that your garage door spring may be broken:
- The door barely moves. You press the opener, it runs, but the door only lifts a few inches — or refuses to move much at all. That usually means the spring is no longer helping carry the door’s weight. Don’t keep forcing it. The opener, cables, and other parts can take on damage fast.
- You heard a loud bang in the garage. A broken spring can sound like something heavy crashed to the floor. If that noise is followed by a door that will not open or close properly, the spring may have snapped under tension.
- The door suddenly feels too heavy. Garage doors can weigh hundreds of pounds, even when they look simple from the outside. The spring system does the hard work. When it breaks, lifting the door by hand can become unsafe in a hurry.
- The door opens crooked. One side may rise faster than the other, or the whole door may look uneven in the tracks. Stop using it if you notice this. A crooked door can strain the cables, rollers, opener, and track system.
- There is a visible gap in the spring. On a torsion spring, you may see a clear break or space in the coil above the garage door opening. Extension springs along the sides may look stretched, loose, or disconnected. Either way, it is time to call for service.
- The cables look loose or out of place. Loose cables do not always mean the cable caused the problem. A broken spring can knock the whole system out of balance and make the cables slip, sag, or come off the drum.
If you notice any of these signs, do not try to lift, force, or repair the door yourself. Schedule a professional garage door spring replacement with us so the issue can be handled safely.
Why Replacing Garage Door Springs Yourself Is Dangerous
We get it. When something breaks at home, it is tempting to look for a quick fix. But garage door springs are not a safe DIY project.
Springs are built to hold a large amount of stored energy. That tension is what helps lift and lower the garage door. If the spring is released the wrong way, installed incorrectly, or replaced with the wrong size, it can cause serious injury and major damage.
That is why Jolly Goat’s advice is simple: Don’t try this yourself — call us.
- The springs are under serious tension. Torsion springs and extension springs work in different ways, but both store a lot of force. Torsion springs are wound tightly above the door. Extension springs stretch along the tracks. When that tension releases the wrong way, parts can move fast and hit hard.
- The door can drop without warning. A broken or poorly replaced spring can throw the whole door out of balance. It may not stay open. It may lift unevenly. In some cases, it can come down suddenly, putting people, cars, tools, and anything nearby at risk.
- The wrong spring creates bigger problems. Garage door springs are not one-size-fits-all. The right spring depends on the door’s size, weight, material, and setup. Use the wrong one, and the door may become too heavy, too light, or completely unbalanced.
- The opener can get damaged, too. When the spring stops doing its job, the opener may try to lift more weight than it was built to handle. That extra strain can damage the motor, rail, cables, and other moving parts.
- Small mistakes can turn expensive fast. A spring problem can quickly turn into cable issues, track damage, opener failure, or a door that will not operate safely. That is why this repair is best left to a trained garage door technician.
How Our Team Replaces Garage Door Springs Safely
At Jolly Goat Garage Doors, we do not treat spring replacement like a guessing game. Our technicians inspect the full garage door system, identify the correct spring type, and replace the spring safely using the right equipment and training.
We handle garage door spring replacement the right way so you do not have to take the risk.
Here’s our comprehensive process:
- We Inspect the Full Door System. Before replacing the spring, our team checks the condition of the door, opener, cables, rollers, drums, tracks, brackets, and other hardware. A broken spring may be the main issue, but it can also reveal other worn or damaged parts. This inspection helps us make sure your garage door is not just working again, but working safely.
- We Identify the Correct Spring Type. Many older garage doors use extension springs or standard torsion springs. Some doors may have one spring, while others use two. Some systems may also need safety cables, updated hardware, or a better-balanced spring setup. Our team determines what your door needs based on the actual weight and design of the door. That way, the new spring supports the door correctly and helps the system operate smoothly.
- We Replace Worn or Broken Springs Safely. Spring replacement requires the right tools, training, and safety procedures. Our technicians know how to control spring tension, secure the door, and complete the repair without putting your home or family in harm’s way. We also know when it makes sense to replace both springs instead of only one. If one spring has broken, the other spring may be close to the end of its life too. Replacing both can help keep the system balanced and reduce the chance of another surprise breakdown.
- We Test the Door Balance and Operation. After the spring replacement, we test the door to make sure it opens and closes properly. We check the balance, listen for unusual noises, inspect the cable movement, and make sure the opener is not straining. This final testing step matters because a garage door should not just move — it should move safely, smoothly, and consistently.
Is the Spring Replacement Process the Same for All Types of Garage Doors?
Generally, the process of replacing garage door springs can differ depending on the design and type of your garage door. The process is similar enough, but keep these considerations and tips in mind if they apply to your situation:
- Wooden Garage Doors: Wood is heavier than other materials, so you should choose replacement springs that are stronger and more durable.
- Metal or Steel Garage Doors: These types of garage doors typically use standard torsion springs or extension springs.
- Plastic or Composite Garage Doors: As these materials are lighter than the usual garage doors, you can consider using lighter springs. Other than that, the installation process for these types of doors is similar to other materials.
Types of Garage Door Springs
If you’re going to be replacing your garage door springs, it’s important that you know what type of garage door springs you’ve got at home. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common old-style or traditional garage door springs:
Garage Door Extension Springs
Extension springs are typically located on either side of a garage door. They’re coiled springs that stretch horizontally alongside the garage door tracks when the door is in a closed position.
When the door closes, the extension springs are stretched and hold spring tension. Then, when the door moves to an open position, the spring contracts and helps lift the door.
- Standard Extension Springs: An extension spring is commonly used in older garage doors. They’re coiled springs that are located on both sides of the door, parallel to the door tracks.
- Safety Extension Springs: The main difference between this type and the standard ones is that safety extension springs have a safety cable running through the center. These safety cables are meant to prevent the extension springs from violently flying off and causing damage (or injuries) should they break.
Garage Door Torsion Springs
A torsion spring is a tightly wound metal found above the garage door opening. These springs are attached to a metal shaft going through the center of the springs. Similar to extension springs, torsion springs also utilize stored spring tension to lift the door when the automatic garage door opener is in use, though the springs also assist in opening the door when done manually.
- Standard Torsion Springs: These springs use torque to help get the garage door open. This type of garage door spring is wound tightly to store energy, which is in turn released as the garage door opens.
- One-Piece Torsion Springs: This type of torsion spring is typically found in older one-piece garage doors (as opposed to sectional doors) and is mounted along the top of the garage door. These torsion springs help counterbalance the weight of the heavy door as it’s operated.
Maintenance Tips After Replacing Garage Door Springs
After successfully replacing your garage door springs, you want them to last as long as they can and perform well. So, here are some garage door maintenance tips to keep in mind to lengthen the lifespan of your new springs:
Regularly Inspect Torsion Springs and Extension Springs
Check each new spring for damage and signs of wear and rust. As you operate the garage doors, keep an ear out for unusual or loud noises that could indicate problems. Additionally, make sure the springs maintain proper tension; for an extension spring, ensure they’re not overstretched.
Lubricate the Garage Door Springs
It’s important to apply garage door lubrication to the springs at least twice a year or every six months. It can address the unusual noises produced by your garage door, make its operation smoother, prevent rust, and reduce damage-causing friction. Ultimately, it’s key to extending your spring’s lifespan.
Schedule Professional Inspections
Here’s another pro tip: arrange professional inspections at least once a year. Professionals like Jolly Goat Garage Doors offer garage door maintenance services, helping point out issues you’ve missed and promptly addressing concerns before they get worse. With regular professional inspections, you can expect your garage door system to last a long time.
Why Call Jolly Goat for Garage Door Spring Replacement?
When your garage door spring breaks, you need help that is fast, friendly, and careful. That is where Jolly Goat Garage Doors comes in.
We know a broken spring can throw off your whole day. Maybe your car is stuck inside the garage. Maybe the door will not close, and you are worried about security. Maybe you just heard a loud bang and have no idea what happened.
Whatever the case, our team is ready to help.
We Keep Safety First
Garage doors are heavy, and springs are dangerous when handled incorrectly. Our goal is to protect your home, your garage door system, and the people around it.
That is why we do not recommend DIY spring replacement. We would much rather have you call us and stay safe.
We Work on Torsion and Extension Springs
Whether your door has torsion springs above the opening or extension springs along the sides, our technicians can inspect and replace the system. We also service older garage doors and can recommend updates if your current setup needs extra safety support.
We Help Prevent Bigger Repairs
A broken spring can lead to more problems if the door keeps being used. Cables can come loose, the opener can strain, and the door can come out of alignment.
Calling early can help prevent additional damage and get your door back on track before the repair becomes more complicated.
We Bring the Jolly Goat Kind of Service
At Jolly Goat Garage Doors, we believe garage door repair should be straightforward, honest, and maybe even a little more cheerful than expected. We explain what is going on, recommend the right fix, and treat your home with care.
No scare tactics. No confusing repair talk. Just dependable service from a team that knows garage doors.
Do Not Try This Yourself — Call Us
A broken garage door spring is not the time to grab tools and hope for the best. Springs are under high tension, garage doors are heavy, and one wrong move can lead to serious injury.
If your door will not open, feels too heavy, looks crooked, or has a visible spring gap, stop using it and call Jolly Goat Garage Doors.
Schedule professional garage door spring replacement and let our team handle the dangerous part safely.
Jolly Goat Garage Doors
If you are looking for garage door spring repair services in Oklahoma City, Jolly Goat Garage Doors is ready to help. Our team can inspect your garage door, replace broken springs, and make sure your system is safe to use again.
Give us a call at (405) 901-1214 for top-tier garage door services and a happiness guarantee! Visit our Garage Door Spring Information Center for more blogs about garage door springs.
