fixing garage door springs?

[turfgrass]

I replaced the two overhead springs and wire cables yesterday with an identical setup. When finished, the door would only travel about 8 inches, stop and then reverse back open. I fooled with the tension both tighter and more loose with no luck. I thought the track may have been messed up, but I was able to raise the door manually with no problems. The safety sensors are also not blocked. As of now, the cables/springs are disconnected and the door is closed. I'm replacing b/c I came home to find one cable and spring broke. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

[Mr T]

First, garage door springs can KILL you if mishandled, you can also very easily loose a finger adjusting torsion springs. If you dont feel comfortable working on these or dont have the proper tools to do it safely, you should consult a professional. It's also easier to do these checks and adjustments with a helper around.

What kind of springs do you have? a torsion spring or springs parallel to the garage door header or long stretch springs that run parallel to the upper garage door rails? Is this a single or 2 car door? What is the door made of (material and the core)?

Assuming you didnt mess with the door opener, it sounds like you do not have your door balanced. You should be able to lift the door to any position and it should stay there with little to no effort. You may need more spring tension. Answer the above questions and we can further help.

It sounds like you tried it but with the lift arm removed from the opener (not just bypassed) the door should move up and down freely. If it does and your door is properly balanced then its time to look at the opener. With the arm removed cycle it through and listen for the motor to load down, it's tone should not change at all through the cycle including the ends. If it does load down make sure the opener rail is straight, it may need cleaned and relubricated with the grease recomended in the manual. Next check the drive mechanism on top, they do wear out. The overload reverse/stop system is part of the drive. If you didnt adjust the up/down force limits during or before your repair, you have a problem somewhere. Dont adjust it until you make sure everything is correct or you will be replacing your opener in addition to fixing the problem.

Let us know if any of these fix or dont fix it.

If you get it working, check your up/down force and the reverse controls while you are at it. It should reverse when a 2x4 is in the door path, holding onto the door when it goes up should stop it with not too much force. Ive heard also that you can put a cardboard box in the path and it should reverse before crushing the box. Clean your sensor windows with a q tip soaked in glass cleaner. (or a paper towell if you can reach the windows. Check the release mechansim and your door rollers and you have gone over the whole door.

[turfgrass]

The springs run parallel to the rails on both sides, and that makes them perpendicular to the door. This ia a single door that is very heavy and made of wood. I do use a helper for this reason. Also, when I adjust the springs the door is in the up position so the springs are not under tension. I'll have to listen for a load. Is checking the door balance a matter of using a level for straightness?

[turfgrass]

I rememebr when working that there was a gap on the left side,(daylight). I tried to straightn by setting it flat, so no light gaps. This could me the difference in terms of balance.

[joed]

Checking the balance means you can open the door with one hand. The springs should be balanced so that the door is almost lifted by the springs. then it takes little or no effort to lift the door. Also the door should not go down just as easy but not fall on its own.
If you used springs that were too light or too heavy the door will not be properly ballanced.