A broken garage door spring needs replacing by a trained engineer, who will fit a correctly rated spring (or pair of springs), re-tension it and balance the door so it lifts smoothly again. We can send a local engineer to replace springs on up-and-over, sectional and some roller doors.
Springs do the heavy lifting on a garage door. When one fails, the door can feel like it weighs several times more than normal, and an electric opener may strain or stop. This page explains the types of spring, why they break, and what a proper replacement involves.
Why you should never replace a garage door spring yourself
Garage door springs store a large amount of energy so the door can be lifted by hand or by a small motor. Releasing or winding that energy without the right winding bars, clamps and training can cause the bar to spin, the spring to whip or the door to drop. Injuries from DIY spring work are serious and avoidable.
If your spring has snapped, leave the door where it is, don't try to lift it fully, and keep people clear. If you're stuck for access, our page on emergency garage door repair explains what can be done urgently.
Torsion springs and tension springs: which does your door have?
Torsion springs
These are mounted on a shaft above the door opening. As the door closes, the spring winds up; as it opens, the spring unwinds and turns the cable drums at each end of the shaft. They're used on most sectional doors and many modern up-and-over doors.
Extension or tension springs
These stretch along the side of the door or the horizontal tracks, or sit in the frame on canopy and retractable up-and-over doors. They extend as the door moves and pull it back into balance.
Roller door springs
Many roller garage doors use springs inside the barrel that the curtain wraps around. Replacing them means working inside the barrel assembly, which is covered on our roller garage door repair page.
Signs a spring has broken or is failing
- A loud bang from the garage, often when the door is closed and not being used.
- A visible gap in a coiled torsion spring, or a tension spring hanging loose.
- The door feels very heavy, or only rises a short way before stopping.
- The door slams down rather than closing gently.
- An electric door starts, strains, then reverses or stops.
- The door rises unevenly or sits crooked.
- Older springs looking rusty, stretched or with uneven gaps between coils.
Why garage door springs break
Every spring is designed for a certain number of open-and-close cycles. A door used several times a day reaches that limit far sooner than one opened once a week. Other causes include:
- Corrosion, which weakens the steel. Damp garages and salty air near the Mersey estuary and the Wirral coast make this more likely.
- The wrong spring fitted previously, either too weak or mismatched with its partner.
- Poor balance putting extra strain on one side.
- Cold weather, which can make already-fatigued springs fail.
- Lack of lubrication causing friction between coils.
How spring replacement is carried out
- Securing the door. The engineer clamps the door in position so it can't move while the springs are changed.
- Identifying the spring. Wire size, internal diameter, length and wind direction are measured, along with the door's size and weight, so the replacement is correctly rated.
- Releasing remaining tension. Any unbroken spring is safely unwound using proper tools.
- Fitting the new spring. On many doors with two springs, both are replaced together so they wear evenly.
- Tensioning and balancing. The spring is wound or set to the correct tension and the door is checked so it stays in place when half open.
- Final checks. Cables, drums, rollers and, on electric doors, the operator force settings are checked.
Because springs and cables work together, a frayed cable is often found at the same time. See garage door cable repair for more on that.
Should both springs be replaced at once?
On doors with a pair of springs, engineers often recommend changing both even if only one has broken. The two springs have done the same number of cycles, so the surviving one is usually close to failing. Replacing both keeps the door balanced and avoids a second call-out soon after. Your engineer will explain their reasoning and you can decide.
What affects the cost of spring replacement
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Spring type | Torsion, tension and roller-barrel springs differ in parts and labour |
| One spring or a pair | Replacing both adds parts but may prevent a repeat visit |
| Door size and weight | Heavier double or insulated doors need larger rated springs |
| Availability | Common sizes may be carried on the van; less usual ones may need ordering |
| Other damage | Worn cables, drums or bearings found during the job |
| Call-out time | Out-of-hours visits are usually priced differently |
A price is agreed before work starts. More general pricing factors are in our repair cost guide.
Spring failures on Merseyside garages
Plenty of homes across Merseyside still have their original steel up-and-over door, and many of those springs have done decades of service. Detached and integral garages on newer estates tend to have sectional doors with torsion springs that are used daily as the main way into the house. Both end up needing springs eventually. When you ring, we'll arrange one of the local garage door engineers in Liverpool we work with, who can check the rest of the door on the same visit.
Frequently asked questions
How long do garage door springs last?
It depends on the spring rating and how often the door is used. A door opened many times a day will wear its springs faster than one used occasionally. Rust and poor balance also shorten their life.
Can I still open the door with a broken spring?
You shouldn't try. The door will be much heavier than normal and may fall. If a car is trapped inside, ring for help rather than forcing the door or the opener.
Will a new spring fix my electric door?
If the opener stopped because the door was too heavy, a correctly balanced new spring often gets it working again. The engineer will check the operator too, as straining against a broken spring can sometimes damage it.
Can springs be fitted on the first visit?
Many common sizes are carried on the van, so the job can often be done in one visit. Less usual springs, or springs for older or larger doors, may need to be ordered.
Is it worth replacing springs on an old door?
Often it is, if the panels, tracks and frame are sound. If the door is badly rusted or damaged, the engineer may suggest weighing the repair against a new door.
Why does my door close too fast after a spring was fitted elsewhere?
The spring may be under-tensioned or the wrong rating for the door. An engineer can check the size and adjust or replace it so the door is properly balanced.