How to Adjust Garage Door Cables?

The right amount of tension is required for the garage door to open and close correctly. If it is slightly unstable, it makes a problem when the garage door is functioning. It could be dangerous in the long term if the problem is not addressed at the right time. The speed and timing of the opening and closing of the garage door are dependent on the Tension Of The Spring And Cables.

It is possible to fix the tension of cables and spring on your own, but it needs some great skills. Since the springs and cables have so much tension, it is sometimes not easy to handle it alone unless you are a pro-DIYer who knows the work. It is better to seek professional help for such work to be on the safer side.

However, if you have decided to proceed with the process on your own, you must know some tips and tricks to handle the tension on the springs and cable. The first thing you should know is how to release the tension on the garage door spring. Following are some tips on how to adjust the garage door cables.

Tips On How To Adjust The Garage Door Cables

Sort the Tools You Need

It is always handy if you sort the tools you need for any work. It saves you from the hassle. Everything prepared beforehand would help you work fast. The tools you will need for this task would be a ladder, an adjustable wrench, two C clamps, safety glasses, gloves, a hard hat, and a marker.

Tips On How To Adjust The Garage Door Cables

Identify the Springs

First of all, you have to recognize the spring. There are two types of springs. One is the side-mounted extension springs, and the other one is torsion springs.

It is easy to adjust the side-mounted springs. It runs parallel to the track and can be found on either side of the garage door. In contrast, the torsion springs are located above the garage door and run parallel on the top of the garage door.

Identify the Springs

Adjustment of Overhead Garage Door Springs

Before you start the task, you should know the reason for the unevenness. It is necessary to identify the correct spot before you jump to a conclusion.

Some general problems that require adjustments of springs could be:

• If the door is closing unevenly, the tension needs to be correctly balanced.
• If the door is taking more time to open and quickly closing, the tension of the springs should be increased.
• If the door is not closing fully or opens up fast, the tension on the springs should be lessened.

Adjustment of Overhead Garage Door Springs

Open the Garage Door

The most crucial step is to release the spring tension before you start working on your garage door. By leaving the door open, all the tension will be released on its own. Using the C clamps, start clamping the garage door on each side of the door track under the bottom rollers to make it stand in the opening position.

Now by using your step ladder, reach out the cable that supports the garage door to open. Since the tension has already been released, you can easily remove the hooks from the track hanger and move it to a different hole to change it.

Open the Garage Door

Tighten and Release the Garage Door Springs

Now you are fixing the garage door spring tension. Both the springs should be equally adjusted by moving the hook to a different hole simultaneously.

To decrease the tension on the garage door spring, you need to move the spring hook to the lower whole of the track. By this step, you can reduce the tension in the spring.

If you want to tighten the garage door cable, adjust the springs and increase the tension. Look for the higher hole on the door track and attach the cable with the hook. It will stretch the spring and increase the tension.

If the tension needs to be increased only on one side, then adjust the cable on the side where you see the gap. Hook the cable on the lower whole of the hanger to slow down the tension.

Tighten and Release the Garage Door Springs

Test the Door 

It is imperative to test run the door several times before you get satisfied. After the adjustments have been made, unclamp the door and check its functionality. Continue checking the door unless you see the desired result.

Test the Door

Bottom Line

Fixing a garage door spring could be an easy task for many homeowners, but it is always recommended to seek professional services in such tasks as it needs proper tools and expertise.

Elite Garage Door & Gate Repair Of Lynnwood provides same-day service for any garage door-related issues in your area. Call and book your slot at 425.336.3238.