Garage Door Problem Guide
Garage Door Spring Looks Broken
A broken spring is one of the most common — and most dangerous — garage door problems. Here’s how to recognize one and what to do next.
Quick answer
The clearest sign is a visible gap in the coils of a torsion spring above the door, or an extension spring that is stretched out or hanging. Other signs: a loud bang from the garage, a door that’s very heavy, or an opener that lifts the door a few inches and stops. If you see any of these, stop using the door and call for spring replacement.
Safety first: Never try to wind, unwind, adjust or replace a garage door spring yourself, and never loosen the set screws on the winding cones. Springs store enough energy to cause serious injury.
How to tell if a spring is broken
Torsion springs (above the door)
- A gap of an inch or more in the coils, often near one end.
- The spring looks loose or uneven compared to the other spring.
- The cables look slack on the drums.
Extension springs (along the tracks)
- A spring is hanging, stretched out, or missing.
- The safety cable through the spring is the only thing holding it.
- The door sits crooked or one side lifts first.
Other signs
- A loud bang like a gunshot from the garage.
- The door is extremely heavy or won’t lift by hand.
- The opener lifts the door a few inches, then stops or reverses.
- The top section of the door bends when the opener runs.
What to do now
- Stop using the opener. It can damage the opener and the door.
- Leave the door where it is, ideally closed.
- Keep people and pets away from the door.
- Unplug the opener so no one presses a remote.
- Call [TRACKED_PHONE] to schedule spring replacement.
Seeing a gap in the spring?
Stop using the door and call to schedule spring replacement.
Why springs break
Springs are rated for a certain number of cycles. When they reach the end of their life, metal fatigue causes them to snap — often while sitting under tension in the closed position. Rust, poor lubrication and undersized springs shorten their life.
What happens during replacement
A technician secures the door, safely unwinds the remaining tension, installs correctly sized springs (in pairs on two-spring doors), re-tensions, balances the door and tests the opener. See spring replacement.
Repair Services for This Problem
When a basic check doesn’t solve it, these are the services that usually do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my garage door spring is broken?
Look for a gap in the coils of a torsion spring, or a stretched or hanging extension spring. A loud bang, a very heavy door, or an opener that stops after a few inches are also strong signs.
Can I open the door with a broken spring?
It’s not safe. The door is very heavy without spring support and can fall without warning.
What was the loud bang in my garage?
Very often, a torsion spring breaking. Check above the door for a gap in the coils.
Is a broken spring an emergency?
It’s urgent if your car is trapped or the door is stuck open. Otherwise leave it closed and schedule repair promptly.
Why shouldn’t I replace a spring myself?
Torsion springs are wound under extreme tension. Winding bars can slip and strike, and a released spring can cause serious injury.
Should both springs be replaced?
Yes, on two-spring doors. They have the same wear and replacing both keeps the door balanced.
Still Having Trouble
With Your Garage Door?
Call to describe what the door is doing. We serve Augusta, Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, Hephzibah, North Augusta and Aiken.