Guide
Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken
If the garage went bang and the door now weighs as much as a small car, read this first.
What springs actually do
Your opener doesn't lift the door. The springs do. Torsion springs sit on a bar above the door; extension springs run alongside the tracks on older doors. They counterbalance the door so it feels light.
The five usual signs
A loud bang, often with nobody near the door. A visible gap in a coil. A door that feels extremely heavy. An opener that strains, stops or reverses. Loose cables beside the door.
What to do now
Stop using the door. Don't keep pressing the opener button; it can damage the opener and pull the door unevenly. Keep cars and people clear. If the door is open, leave it open rather than letting it drop.
Why it's not DIY
Springs store a lot of energy. Winding bars slip, set screws fail, and people get hurt. Replacement also means rebalancing the door and checking cables and drums. This is work for a trained technician.
Suspect a broken spring? Request garage door help.