How to Reduce Garage Door Opener Spring Tension

You can very easily adjust the ease with which you open your garage door by adjusting the tension on the garage door opener spring located on each side track of your garage door. If your garage door is hard to lift or flies open when you lift it, either way the tension on your garage door opener springs is not right. Here is how to adjust them.

Step 1 - Disconnect Remote Door Opener

If your garage door is attached to a remote garage door opener start by disconnecting it. You do this, usually, by simply pulling on a cord that will be attached to a large switch. The cord is usually red or orange and the switch will disengage the remote opening system.

Step 2 - Clamp the Door Open

Lift the door manually into an open position and keep it there for safety by placing a clamp such as a C clamp on each track directly under the door. Clamping the door open will release the tension on the garage door opener spring on each side and allow you to adjust them.

Step 3 - Adjust Tension

You will find the garage door opener spring has a hook on the end that is hooked through one of several holes you will find on a plate on the side bottom of the garage door itself. To adjust the tension on the garage door opener spring simply unhook it from its current hole and move it to a hole farther up the door for less tension or farther down the door for more tension. Do the same process on both sides.

Step 4 - Finish Up

Now that the garage door opener springs on each side of the door are adjusted you can remove your clamps, close the door, and re activate your remote door opener by flipping the switch the other direction.