Replacing your garage door torsion spring is by far one of the most common repairs you can perform over your garage door. One of the most common aspects to look for in the repair is the torsion spring wind direction. Every spring in the garage door is set to a particular winding. Opting for the wrong wind can result in your garage door to completely stop operating. In this article, we are going to discuss the winding.
What are the Important Things to Consider While Getting a Torsion Spring?
Finding the right torsion spring wind direction is very important. With a plethora of torsion springs available out there in the market, it is never a good idea to get along the guessing game. Down below is a list of some of the factors for having a better understanding of the torsion spring:
1) The Spring Configuration
There are mainly two types of spring configuration. You can either get your torsion spring in a single or dual configuration. In order to get a proper grasp of the concept, you can always check the brackets and stationary cone. If the pointer is either on the left or right side, that just means it has a single configuration. If it is in the middle, then you can get along with a dual configuration.
2) The winding of the Spring
Coming to the good part, this is where the majority of the people get wrong. In fact, it is quite easy to actually determine the winding of your torsion spring. If the spring is winded in a clockwise direction, then it is a right-wind spring. Similarly, for anti-clockwise, you are left with a left-wind spring. You will find the end of the wire on the same side as well. Although it can be hard to determine the winding from the front side, you can easily look at the back.
3) Weight of the Door
The weight of the door is also a driving factor based on which you can find the right spring. Look for the right weight capacity of the spring and choose accordingly. Bear in mind; there is nothing wrong with a spring for larger capacity. If it can fit in your door, you will do just fine. But, getting something that’s way below the weight capacity can put your garage door in jeopardy.
How to Detect a Broken Garage Door Spring?
When it comes to figuring out broken garage door spring, it can be found in a variety of ways. Some of the most common techniques include:
1) Checking the Appearance of the Spring
In fact, you can just have a look at your garage door spring and tell a lot about the same. Some of the major visual red flags include:
- If you find that the torsion spring is stretched out than usual. This is a clear indication that the tension within the spring is long gone. This is something you can easily notice while closing the garage door.
- Almost a two-inch gap into the spring. This is a clear indication that the spring is almost at the end of its life cycle. Chances are, under such circumstances, the spring might snap at any time.
2) Checking How the Garage Door is Functioning?
You can also figure out when there is something with your torsion spring, by the way, your garage door is functioning. Some of the most prominent indications are:
- You will find that your door looks crooked or off the track during operation
- Finding misalignment at the top section of your garage door
- Just after opening a couple of includes, the garage door closes again
- The door abruptly falls during closing
- A dangling cable attached to the garage door
- The garage door doesn’t open at all
3) Any Loud Noise You Hear
When the torsion spring of the garage door breaks, it will make a loud bang. The sound is something you might have never heard before. The reason behind such a huge impact is due to the huge pressure associated with the spring. In case you have missed the sound, you can find your garage door making buzzing noise during operation. This can provide you with a clear indication that you need to change your torsion spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the torque of the torsion spring?
Mathematically, the torque of the torsion spring is given by force X arm.
M = F * A.
You can determine the force of the torsion spring by measuring its half leg length. The higher is the force exerted over the leg, the less force you can get out of the torsion spring. On the contrary, if you want to calculate the angle of rotation, it can be done only with an unloaded position.
Why the Leg Position Matters for a Torsion Spring?
You can find the standard torsion spring only in four different leg positions. The leg position is determined with an unloaded torsion spring. The leg positions are available in either 0°, 90°, 180° or 270°. Determining the position of the leg can help you to mount the torsion spring with the least correction required.
Generally, the torsion spring will be mounted when it is in a pre-tension position. Make sure to use as many coils as possible. This, in turn, will discard any excessive angular deflection that might come along with way. This way, you can also get the most life out of your torsion spring.
Final Takeaway
The above-mentioned are some of the most common factors that you need to take into consideration when it comes to changing torsion spring. We here at Infinity Garage Door offers one of the best solutions when it comes to broken garage door spring Las Vegas. Our certified technicians are well versed with all complicated garage door repairs that you can’t attain yourself. Starting from installation, periodic maintenance to garage door spring repair Las Vegas, we have got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Avail the best garage door services in Las Vegas, from Infinity Garage Door.