Broken garage door spring
Garage Door Spring Replacement in Middle Tennessee
Heard a bang from the garage and now the door won’t lift? A broken spring is the most common garage door failure. We replace torsion and extension springs, match them to your door’s weight and rebalance the whole system.
- Torsion springsSized to your door’s weight
- Extension springsReplaced in pairs with safety cables
- High-cycle upgradesLonger-life spring options
- Balanced & testedBalance and auto-reverse checked
If a Spring Just Broke, Leave the Door Closed
Don’t use the opener and don’t try to lift the door by hand. Without spring tension the full weight of the door rests on the opener, the cables and whoever is lifting it. Keep people and pets clear and unplug the opener if it keeps trying to run.
Please don’t try to replace or adjust a torsion spring yourself. They store enough energy to cause serious injury.
How springs work
Your Springs Lift the Door, Not the Opener
Springs are wound or stretched so their stored energy almost exactly matches the weight of the door, which is why a balanced door feels light enough to lift with one hand.
Each time the door opens and closes, the steel flexes. Eventually it fatigues and snaps, usually with a sharp bang. That’s normal wear. The fix is a spring correctly sized for your door.
- The balance test: lift the door halfway and let go. A balanced door stays put.
- If it drifts down or creeps up, the springs need adjusting or replacing.
- We run this test before and after every spring job.
Spring types
Torsion Springs and Extension Springs
Most newer doors in the Nashville area use torsion springs. Older and lighter doors often use extension springs. We service both.
Torsion Springs
Mounted on a steel tube above the door, they twist to store energy and turn cable drums at each end.
- Where you’ll see them
- Most double doors and newer homes
- What we replace
- Springs, cones, center bearing and cables as needed
- Worth knowing
- Smoother travel and longer life than extension springs
Extension Springs
Run alongside each horizontal track and stretch as the door closes, lifting it through pulleys and cables.
- Where you’ll see them
- Older homes, single-car and lighter doors
- What we replace
- Springs in pairs, pulleys, cables and safety cables
- Worth knowing
- Safety cables keep a broken spring from whipping across the garage
Warning signs
Signs a Spring Has Failed or Is Close to It
If you notice any of these, stop using the opener and call us before the door is forced.
A Loud Bang From the Garage
Often heard when nobody was using the door.
A Visible Gap in the Coil
A torsion spring split into two pieces, a couple of inches apart.
The Door Feels Very Heavy
A balanced door should stay put about halfway open.
The Opener Strains or Stops
It lifts a few inches, then reverses or the motor hums.
The Door Rises Unevenly
One side lifts first, or a cable hangs loose.
It Slams Shut
Weak springs let the door drop faster than it should.
While we’re there
Upgrades Worth Considering
A spring replacement is a natural time to improve how long the system lasts.
- High-cycle springsRated for more cycles. A good fit when the garage is your main entry.
- TorqueMaster conversionsConvert a sealed Wayne Dalton system to a standard open torsion setup.
- Extension to torsionSmoother, quieter, more controlled travel.
- Cables, rollers and bearingsReplace parts that wore alongside the spring in one visit.
Our process
How We Replace a Spring
Spring sizing is precise work. The right spring depends on the door’s weight, height and drum size, not just what was there before.
Secure the Door
Clamp the door in place so it can’t move while the springs are unwound.
Measure and Identify
Wire size, inside diameter, length and wind direction, plus the door’s weight and height.
Unwind and Remove
Release remaining tension safely with proper winding bars and remove the old springs.
Install and Wind
Fit new springs and cones, inspect the center bearing and drums, and wind to the correct turns.
Balance the Door
Check that the door holds at mid-travel and lifts evenly on both sides.
Lubricate and Test
Lubricate springs and moving hardware, adjust the opener and test the safety reversal.
Sizing
What We Measure
Five measurements decide the right replacement spring for your door.
Wire Size
The thickness of the spring steel.
Inside Diameter
Usually 1¾ or 2 inches on residential doors.
Length
Measured on the relaxed spring.
Wind Direction
Left- or right-hand, by side of the bracket.
The Door
Weight, height and cable drum size.
Where we work
Spring Replacement Across Middle Tennessee
We provide spring replacement for homes and businesses in Williamson, Davidson and Rutherford counties.
- Brentwood
- Franklin
- Nolensville
- Thompson's Station
- Arrington
- Fairview
- Nashville
- Antioch / Cane Ridge
- Smyrna
- La Vergne
- Murfreesboro
Spring Replacement Questions
Quick answers to common questions. Don’t see yours? Call (615) 500-0326.
Should I replace both springs if only one broke?
On a two-spring door, yes. Both springs were installed at the same time and have been through the same number of cycles, so the second one is usually close behind. Replacing them together keeps the door balanced and saves a second service call.
How long do garage door springs last?
Standard torsion springs are commonly rated for around 10,000 open-and-close cycles. At three or four cycles a day, that’s roughly seven to ten years. High-cycle springs are rated for more cycles and are worth considering if your garage is your main entry.
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
We don’t recommend it. The opener isn’t designed to lift the full weight of the door and can be damaged, and lifting it by hand is heavy and dangerous. If a car is stuck inside, call us and we’ll talk through the safest option.
What is a TorqueMaster conversion?
Some Wayne Dalton doors use a TorqueMaster system with the spring sealed inside the torsion tube. When it fails, many homeowners choose to convert to a standard open torsion spring system, which uses widely available parts and is easier to service in the future.
Do you replace extension springs?
Yes. Extension springs run alongside the horizontal tracks on many older and single-car doors. We replace them in pairs with safety cables, or we can talk with you about converting to a torsion system.
Replace a Broken Garage Door Spring
Tell us whether you can see a gap in the spring above the door, and whether your car is stuck inside.
- Residential and commercial service
- A clear explanation of the problem and your options
- Serving 11 communities across Middle Tennessee
- Call(615) 500-0326Best for broken springs, doors stuck open and anything urgent.
- Emailhello@oaksteadgaragedoors.comSend photos of the door or your property with your question.
- Service areaBrentwood, Franklin, Nolensville, Thompson's Station, Arrington, Fairview, Nashville, Antioch / Cane Ridge, Smyrna, La Vergne, Murfreesboro. Details