Garage Door Springs
#1
06-04-16, 02:41 PM
Garage Door Springs
I have two garage doors. The torsion spring on one broke several months ago so I took the spring off of the side that isn't used but about 4 times a year and replaced the broken one. Now it is time to put a spring on the side that doesn't have one.
I have measured the length of the spring I have but in looking at other springs I have noticed that they are left or right hand wound. How do you tell the difference and what difference does it make how they are wound?
thanks
Syb
I have measured the length of the spring I have but in looking at other springs I have noticed that they are left or right hand wound. How do you tell the difference and what difference does it make how they are wound?
thanks
Syb
#2
06-04-16, 02:52 PM
Group Moderator
One of the door pros should be along shortly. Best bet would be to take the broken spring to store for comparison. The reason there are two different directions is the springs run from the center of the crossbar to the ends, so they are in essence traveling in different directions when they wind and unwind. 
#3
06-04-16, 04:27 PM
Member
Generally the advice is to replace both springs, the idea being that if one broke, the other is likely to break soon since it has just as many cycles. It also makes it easier to keep the door level and balanced as the force will be the same on each side if wound the same. You will need to know the length and diameter of the spring, and the gauge or at least diameter of the spring wire to get the proper replacements.
#4
06-05-16, 04:06 AM
Member
Generally if the spring is on the left side of the door it is a right wound spring. Can you post a picture of the inside of the door and a close up of the end of the spring? This is a good video of how to measure How to Measure your Garage Door Torsion Spring
#5
06-07-16, 01:59 PM
Attachment 67013
Attached are the pics. The spring is 40" long and 4 1/2" outside diameter. The rod it is on is 1" diameter. There are two doors on the garage and I just took the spring off the door that isn't used much and replaced the broken one with it so I guess they were wound the same. I don't have the broken spring.
thanks
Attached are the pics. The spring is 40" long and 4 1/2" outside diameter. The rod it is on is 1" diameter. There are two doors on the garage and I just took the spring off the door that isn't used much and replaced the broken one with it so I guess they were wound the same. I don't have the broken spring.
thanks
Last edited by sybaris; 06-07-16 at 02:22 PM.
#6
06-07-16, 04:27 PM
Member
sorry but it's still hard to tell if it's right or left, It's an overhead door Co. spring 2" ID probably .262 or .250 wire size, most likely right wound and being 40 inches wound... probably about 37 or 38 inches unwound
