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Broken torsion spring with a visible gap above a garage door

Spring repair in Minneapolis, MN

Garage door spring repair in Minneapolis, MN

A broken spring leaves the door too heavy to lift safely. Here is what a repair involves and why it is a job for a trained technician.

  • Torsion and extension springs
  • Cold-weather spring failures
  • Never a do-it-yourself job

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What do you need?

What does garage door spring repair involve?

Garage door spring repair means replacing the springs that balance the weight of the door. Most doors use one or two torsion springs on a steel bar above the opening. Older and lighter doors often use a pair of extension springs that run along the horizontal tracks. Both types hold a lot of stored energy, and both wear out with use.

A typical visit starts with a look at the door's size, weight and hardware. The technician picks springs that match that specific door, replaces them, sets the tension and tests the balance. A well-balanced door stays in place when the technician lifts it halfway and lets go. Good crews also check the cables, drums, bearings and rollers while they are there, because worn parts in that area often cause trouble soon after a new spring goes in.

Why do garage door springs break in Minneapolis winters?

Springs wear out by cycles. Each time the door goes up and down, the spring winds and unwinds. Over time the metal tires and snaps. Cold weather can bring that moment sooner, because steel becomes more brittle as temperatures drop and a long freeze in Minneapolis can finish off a spring that was already near the end of its life.

Several things make winter harder on springs:

  • Ice that holds the bottom seal to the floor, so the springs and the opener pull against a frozen door.
  • Frost and moisture inside the panels, which can add weight and upset the balance.
  • Grease that thickens in the cold and makes rollers and hinges drag.
  • Heavy use, since many homes use the attached garage as the daily entry and the door cycles several times a day.

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

No. We do not recommend it, and we will not describe the steps here. A torsion spring holds enough stored force to cause serious injury if a bar slips or a spring is wound wrongly. The cables and brackets near it are under tension as well. Springs bought off a shelf are also easy to mismatch to the door, which leaves it out of balance and hard on the opener.

If you think a spring has broken, leave the door where it is, keep people, children and pets clear and do not run the opener. Do not try to force the door up or down. Then call a trained technician and describe what you heard and saw. Many people report a loud bang, a visible gap in the coil or a door that suddenly feels very heavy.

A quote depends on the door and on what else is worn. The main factors are:

  • The spring type, since torsion and extension systems use different parts and labor.
  • The size and weight of the door. A wide insulated door needs stronger springs than a light single door.
  • The cycle rating of the spring. Springs rated for more cycles cost more and last longer.
  • One spring or two. Many technicians replace both on a two-spring door because the second is the same age.
  • Related parts such as frayed cables, worn drums, bearings or rollers.

If the door has also come off its track or a cable has snapped, the job grows. Our cable and track repair page explains that side of the work. Ask for a written quote that lists parts and labor before anything starts.

How long does it take, and when should I call?

Many spring replacements take an hour or two once the technician has the right parts and the door is otherwise sound. A door with damaged cables, bent tracks or broken sections takes longer, and a special-order spring for an older or oversize door can add waiting time. Plan your day around the technician's estimate, not around a promise from any web page.

On the day, expect an inspection, a written quote, the replacement, a balance test and a check of the safety reverse. Ask the technician to show you the old spring and explain why it failed.

Call when the door will not lift, when there was a loud bang from the garage, when you see a gap in the coil or when the door is crooked or heavy. If the opener hums but the door does not move, the spring may be the cause, so look at our opener repair page too. You can also see every service on the home page.

  • Written quotes
  • Local technicians
  • Fast response
  • Parts that fit your door

Questions about garage doors in Minneapolis

How do I know if my garage door spring is broken?

Common signs are a loud bang from the garage, a door that will not lift or feels very heavy, a visible gap in the coil above the door, cables that hang loose or a door that looks crooked. An opener that hums but cannot move the door is another clue. Do not touch the spring. Keep clear of the door and call a trained technician.

How long do garage door springs last?

Springs last for a number of cycles, and one cycle is one full open and close. Many standard springs are rated for roughly 10,000 cycles, though higher-cycle springs are available. A garage used as the main entry reaches that number sooner than one that only stores a car. Cold weather and poor balance can shorten the life of a spring.

Should I replace one spring or both?

On a door with two springs, many technicians suggest replacing both. They are the same age and have worked the same number of cycles, so the second one is often close to failing. A matched pair also helps the door stay level. The technician can tell you what makes sense for your door after looking at the wear.

Can the opener lift the door if the spring is broken?

Not safely. The opener is designed to guide a balanced door, not to lift its full weight. Running it against a broken spring can strain or burn out the motor and damage the cables and drums. If a spring has broken, stop using the opener and call a trained technician.

Why did my spring break in the middle of winter?

Springs fail from fatigue, and cold weather can bring on the failure. Steel is more brittle in deep cold, and frozen seals or a stiff, unlubricated door add extra strain. A spring that has lasted for years may break on the first hard freeze. It does not mean you did anything wrong.

What should I ask before approving a spring replacement?

Ask for a written quote with parts and labor listed, the type and cycle rating of the new springs and the warranty terms in writing. Ask whether the cables, drums and rollers were checked. Ask what licenses, if any, apply and for proof of insurance. A good technician will answer plainly and show you the old part.

How it works

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Repaired or replaced and tested for safety.

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