I had a garage door spring break this AM that needs replacing. Normally I will ALWAY try to fix things myself instead of pay but garage doors (especially the springs) have always been an item I always thought needed a pro. I looked online and found Garage Door Parts along with video that actually make it look pretty straight forward. Anyone replace their own springs and wish they had not attempted?
Post Reply
1 of 1
Garage door spring replacement - DIY or Pro?
5,121 Views |
31 Replies |
Last: 1 yr ago by CashinOut
Pay someone else who is trained to do it.
If you say you hate the state of politics in this nation and you don't get involved in it, you obviously don't hate the state of politics in this nation.
It's one of those things where if it works out, it works out. But if it goes bad, it goes really, really, really, really ****ing bad. No one I know, average handyman or home builder, will mess with them. They call the garage door guys.
UnderoosAg said:
It's one of those things where if it works out, it works out. But if it goes bad, it goes really, really, really, really ****ing bad. No one I know, average handyman or home builder, will mess with them. They call the garage door guys.
this
Imagine you're on a ladder in this video with that wrench and pipe in your hands.. and then the spring breaks cause you don't know what you're doing.
Of course it looks easy online, so does everything.
The risks here far outweigh the money.
Of course it looks easy online, so does everything.
The risks here far outweigh the money.
As a reference, just had this done by professional for $375 day of, dfw
Hire a garage door company to do it.
There is enough energy stored in the spring to break bones and could potentially be lethal.
You may have the skills and safety mindset but not the ability learned through multiple experiences replacing them.
There is enough energy stored in the spring to break bones and could potentially be lethal.
You may have the skills and safety mindset but not the ability learned through multiple experiences replacing them.
Milwaukees Best Light
Joined:
Nov 1, 2007
Posts:
17,715
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I am incredibly cheap and I hired a pro to do mine.
I've done it twice and did not feel like it was that crazy. It's really really easy but yes if you lose focus it can get real bad. I am not recommending anyone do it selves, but if I had to do it again I probably would. And if I can do that for $375 a pop I might look at changing careers!
While that video shows the dangers, it's also showing it on a fully tensioned spring. Done each of my doors with no issues. Guess I've saved $750!
Same boat. I did 2 doors and felt it was pretty easy. Definitely need to be intentional and focused and stay out of the path of the tools. I'd do it again, but I don't think I'd recommend anyone do it themselves. Honestly, the hardest part was finding the balance of the two doors which had different spring configurations.bam02 said:
I've done it twice and did not feel like it was that crazy. It's really really easy but yes if you lose focus it can get real bad. I am not recommending anyone do it selves, but if I had to do it again I probably would. And if I can do that for $375 a pop I might look at changing careers!
I've done garage doors and trailer doors. It's not hard, but you damn better pay attention to what you're doing. I've seen an adjustment rod go through the wood floor of a trailer.
Thanks for all the replies, about what I expected.
I tried it once and lost all the skin off my knuckles when it got away from me. Also, successfully pulled it off a different occasion. Several years later, one of my old football coaches was DIYing it and ended up dying from his head injuries.
Easy does it.
Easy does it.
I don't think you know me.
I had a spring break in the morning and a company came out to fix it before noon for less than $200. Not worth the hassle for me to do at that price.
+1 for an easy DIY if you're handy and follow the precautions (like always keeping the second safety bar in place while winding).
But I wouldn't fault anyone for paying to have them replaced. It took me a few days to get a replacement spring, but since I have double doors, it was no big deal to have one functional and the other disabled.
But I wouldn't fault anyone for paying to have them replaced. It took me a few days to get a replacement spring, but since I have double doors, it was no big deal to have one functional and the other disabled.
I do a lot of stuff myself, messing with those springs is not one of them. Let a pro do it.
I don't care to learn how to deal with springs so I let my garage door guy handle it.
Totally doable with the correct tools (rods and winding cones).
UnderoosAg said:
It's one of those things where if it works out, it works out. But if it goes bad, it goes really, really, really, really ****ing bad. No one I know, average handyman or home builder, will mess with them. They call the garage door guys.
I can fix just about anything and have replaced a garage door spring or two in the past. But honestly, I don't think I would do it again. I would say that if you had to ask and had to watch a video, you should just pay someone. It is not complicated, but the downside if things go bad is freaking huge. Much worse than most repairs.
I have a set of spring winding bars the guy who did my springs left behind you can borrow if you really want to try to DIY it.
Posts above quite prices of $200 to $375. For $200 I'd pay someone. For $375 I'll do it myself. This is just a hassle/time vs. cost decision for me. Like I said above I do not feel unsafe doing them. If you're worried about doing it safely then either price is probably money well spent. Run a line of wd-40 along the spring once a year or so to help with longevity.
One of the few things in your house that can kill you quick. Call a pro
Many years ago I went to work and my boss, the untimate DIY guy, had a gash next to his eye. He had tried to fix the spring on his garage door and it broke loose. He almost lost sight in one eye to save $200 bucks.UnderoosAg said:
It's one of those things where if it works out, it works out. But if it goes bad, it goes really, really, really, really ****ing bad. No one I know, average handyman or home builder, will mess with them. They call the garage door guys.
Call someone!
I've done a replacement myself before and I would highly recommend you calling a professional. I wouldn't do it again.Kuz89 said:
I had a garage door spring break this AM that needs replacing. Normally I will ALWAY try to fix things myself instead of pay but garage doors (especially the springs) have always been an item I always thought needed a pro. I looked online and found Garage Door Parts along with video that actually make it look pretty straight forward. Anyone replace their own springs and wish they had not attempted?
I ended up replacing the spings myself on a 10 ft double wide door. It's not that hard but during last 10 quarter turns on each of the springs you can tell how much tension is built up in the springs. It's doable but you need the correct tools and need to be very deliberate when inserting and removing the winding bars.
I'm a DIY'er…except for garage door springs.
Most projects run the risk of maybe cutting yourself, broken bone maybe worst case. Garage door springs, if done wrong, let you skip the workers comp line and go straight to your wife collecting that life insurance policy. Hire a pro.
Most projects run the risk of maybe cutting yourself, broken bone maybe worst case. Garage door springs, if done wrong, let you skip the workers comp line and go straight to your wife collecting that life insurance policy. Hire a pro.
Ya....for the minimal cost of a pro.....I'll keep my nuts, kidney and the left side of my face.Kuz89 said:
I ended up replacing the spings myself on a 10 ft double wide door. It's not that hard but during last 10 quarter turns on each of the springs you can tell how much tension is built up in the springs. It's doable but you need the correct tools and need to be very deliberate when inserting and removing the winding bars.
As long as there are "do it yourselfers", I will always have a job.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But, it's still on the list.
My BIL is an orthopedic surgeon, and he says," As long as there are flip flops, and motorcycles, I'll have a job."
For the price of a few tanks of gas these days, hire that s--- out.
Old thread bump but anyone have recs for someone in FtW?
Featured Stories
See All
overdog
Our very own Kennedy Smith is now covering the Washington Nationals. She's a former
in Billy Liucci's TexAgs Premium
1