How to
replace garage door cables and
bottom brackets, torsion spring door.
Garage door cables and bottom brackets should be changed in pairs
to insure continuity in over all cable length. This is also a perfect
opportunity to replace bottom rollers. Consider replacing your springs
at this time. As you will see, you have to unwind, and wind your springs
to replace cables, and that is half the battle.
Torsion Spring Door
Bottom Brackets
Replacing garage door cables and bottom brackets is performed
differently on torsion spring doors vs. extension spring doors.
VERY IMPORTANT!!!
CAUTION: Repairing a garage door is a dangerous task. Garage door springs are under
extreme tension and require appropriate safety precautions. Realize and understand the
risks before undertaking any repair. Your health and safety is the #1 concern. No amount
of financial savings is worth jeopardizing your health. Failure to understand/follow the recommendations below could result in property damage, personal injury or death. While all
efforts are made to provide accurate information and guidance, it is impossible to predict all
repair circumstances. Accordingly, the user agrees that use of this website; products and
information contained herein are at your own risk. In no event shall youdoit Door Repair be
liable for any property damage, personal injury/death, or any other loss or damage that may
result from your use of the information and products provided on this site. All information
contained within this site is provided “as-is” without warranty expressed or implied. User
assumes all responsibility/risk for use of information and products purchased.
Garage Door Cable
Do not attempt any garage door related repair unless:
1) You utilize the proper tools and safety equipment. Safety glasses and gloves must be
worn at all times. Work boots are recommended. Loose fitting clothing and jewelry should NOT be worn during any repair.
2) You must possess a reasonable amount of mechanical aptitude and experience.
3) You are physically able to complete the task (climbing ladders, using wrenches and installing springs require a reasonable amount of physical strength, agility and ability).
4) You are able to completely read, precisely follow/understand the instructions.
If you have any doubts about your ability to perform the work safely,
we recommend you contact a door professional to complete your repair.
Tools needed:
Winding Bars
Wrenches, Sockets
and Ratchet
3/8" - 7/16" - 1/2"
Ladder
Locking Pliers
C Clamps
File
Gloves
Safety Glasses
Rollers
1
YOU WILL NEED TO COUNT THE
AMOUNT OF 1/4 TURNS THAT
ARE REMOVED AND RETURN
THE SAME AMOUNT WHEN RE
WINDING SPRINGS
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5
Using a proper winding bar,
insert winding bar into winding cone.
Unplug garage door opener
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Disconnect garage door opener
from garage door
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When the set screws are loosened,
the winding bar will move towards the
garage door. In fact, you can rest the
winding bar against the door.
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3
Next, insert the second winding bar into
the next opening in the winding cone.
Lift the winding bar slightly
and remove the first winding bar.
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INSURE THAT THE WINDING
BAR IS INSERTED THE FULL
DEPTH OF WINDING CONE.
Close door and attach clamps or locking
pliers to door track above any roller.
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STOP! READ THESE
INSTRUCTIONS IN THERE
ENTIRETY BEFORE PROCEEDING
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We have wrapped tape on the winding bar
to indicate full depth that winding
bar must be inserted.
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Position ladder in a manner that
your upper body will be off to one
side of the winding cone.
2
Continue to unwind the spring until
all of the tension has been removed.
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Repeat this process if your
door has two torsion springs.
Holding the winding bar with a firm grip,
loosen the set screws.
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ALL TENSION MUST BE
REMOVED FROM ALL SPRINGS
BEFORE PROCEEDING.
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22
13
Remove bottom bracket.
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Loosen set screws on cable drum.
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16
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Starting with the cable drum to your left,
facing the door, insert cable into the slot on
the cable drum. Take care to insure that the
cable is properly set into the cable drum.
INCORRECT
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Remove cable from bottom bracket.
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CORRECT
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25
Install new cable onto bottom bracket.
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Remove cable from cable drum.
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Remove bottom lag screw
from jamb bracket.
Thread cable up to cable drum.
Repeat process on opposite
side of garage door.
Slide cable drum over to the bearing
plate, and turn drum in a counterclockwise
direction until the cable is tight.
Insure that the cable is in the
first groove of the cable drum.
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Reposition you ladder in a manner that
your upper body will be off to one side
of the winding cone
Test grip of set screws
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Before removing the final winding bar from
the winding cone pull down slightly on the
winding bar to ensure that the set screws are
holding the winding cone to the shaft.
Now tighten the set screws
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN
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34
Insert winding bar into the opening in the
winding cone, INSURE THAT THE
WINDING BAR IS INSERTED THE
FULL DEPTH OF WINDING CONE
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While holding the cable taught, position
locking pliers on the shaft, and against the
header, this cable drum is now set.
IF WINDING CONE TURNS ON
THE SHAFT, TIGHTEN SET SCREWS
FURTHER BEFORE REMOVING
FINAL WINDING BAR.
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When you have determined that the winding cone is firmly set, remove winding bar.
Move to the opposite side of the door.
Insert cable into cable drum.
Again taking care to insure that the cable
is properly positioned in the cable drum,
and that it is following the first groove
in the cable drum.
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Lift winding bar up, towards the ceiling
until the next opening in the winding cone
is in position to accept the second winding
bar (¼ turn). Insert second winding bar
into winding cone opening.
Repeat process on second spring
if you have a two spring door.
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ONLY INCREASE OR DECREASE
SPRING TENSION BY NO MORE THAN
1/4 TURN AT ANY ONE TIME.
Slide cable drum over to the bearing
plate. Turn cable drum in a clockwise
direction until the cable is tight. Tighten
set screws.
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN
Remove first winding bar. Lift second
winding bar towards the ceiling.
Repeat this process until you have
achieved the correct amount of total turns.
REFER TO OUR WINDING
CHART IF IN DOUBT. YOU
MUST NOT OVER WIND
TORSION SPRINGS.
Remove locking pliers
from the door shaft.
WITH YOUR FOOT FIRMLY ON
THE GARAGE DOOR, remove clamp
from track. Firmly holding onto the
lift handle on the garage door,
SLOWLY raise the garage door.
Tighten set screws.
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DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN
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Be mindful of the balance of the garage
door as you raise it. Does it seem heavy?
Does it seem to be opening to fast or strong?
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Open garage door fully. Does the door clear
the opening? Close the door, does it stay on
the floor?
All of these issues can be addressed by
adding or subtracting spring tension.
As little as ¼ turn of spring tension
can affect a garage doors balance.
Door hard to pull down and
won’t stay on the floor.
Reduce spring tension
Plug garage door open
into a grounded outlet.
Test system.
Door hard to open and
won’t stay fully open.
Increase spring tension
ONLY INCREASE OR DECREASE
SPRING TENSION BY NO MORE THAN
1/4 TURN AT ANY ONE TIME.
YOU MUST CLAMP DOOR SHAFT
TO HEADER OR CEILING ON
ALL SINGLE SPRING DOORS
BEFORE ADJUSTING SPRING TENSION.
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Only increase, or decrease spring tension
by no more than ½ turn at any one time.
TEST DOOR
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Reattach garage door opener.
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Winding Chart
Cable drum circumference = amount of turns on torsion spring
Circumference of Cable DrumDoor Height 6' 6"Door Height 7'Door Height 7' 6"Door Height 8'
11.5"
8.3
8.8
N/A
N/A
11.75"
8
8.5
8.9
9.4
12"
7.8
8.3
8.8
9.3
13"
7.2
7.6
8.1
8.5
13.5"
7 7.4
7.9
8.3
13.750"
6.9
7.3
7.8
8.2
14"
6.8
7.2
7.6
8
14.5"
6.6
7
7.4
7.8
16"
5.9
6.3
6.6
7
17"
5.5
5.8
6.2
6.5
This chart can be used to determine the proper amount of turns to apply to your torsion
spring or springs. A turn is defined as one complete revolution of the torsion spring on
the door shaft. Tension is applied in quarter turns, It takes four quarter turns to apply
one complete turn to your spring.
You will need to take a few measurements before referring to our chart.
Cable drum circumference and door height.
Circumference of your drum can be determined by wrapping a small length of string
around the cable drum, on the flat portion of the cable drum, and then measuring the
amount of string it takes to go completely around the circumference of the cable drum.
Door height.
Simply measure the height of your garage door. Measure from the inside, as the door can
overlap the opening.
Now, find the circumference of your cable drum on the chart and match it to your door
height. This will be the total amount of turns you will need to apply to your torsion spring.
This chart represents the proper amount of turns needed to open your garage door properly. You may need to add ¼ or ½ turn of tension to get your door to balance properly.
Over time garage doors will “ gain weight “ due to moisture, paint and other factors. This
is the reason additional tension may be needed. Refer to our directions as to adding or
removing spring tension. WORK SAFE !!
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