The Most Common Garage Door Parts and How to Replace Them

Garage Doors and Parts – Common garage door parts play a vital role in ensuring that your garage door operates smoothly. These components work together to lift, lower, and secure the door. Over time, however, wear and tear can take a toll on these parts, leading to issues such as noisy operation or difficulty opening and closing the door. Knowing how to identify and replace common garage door parts is essential to maintaining the door’s function and safety. In this article, we’ll guide you through some of the most common garage door parts and provide helpful tips for replacing them.

Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs are crucial for helping the door open and close. There are two types: torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion springs are located above the door, while extension springs are placed on either side of the door. These springs bear the weight of the door, making them highly susceptible to wear and tear.

How to Replace:

• Begin by disconnecting the door from the opener.
• For torsion springs, use a winding bar to release tension before removing the spring.
• Carefully install the new spring and tighten it using a winding bar.
• For extension springs, unhook the old spring and replace it with a new one.
• Make sure the springs are balanced before reconnecting the opener.

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Garage Door Rollers

Rollers allow the door to move smoothly along the tracks. Over time, they can become worn out or damaged, causing the door to make noise or operate poorly. Inspect the rollers regularly for signs of wear.

How to Replace:

• Lift the door slightly to relieve pressure on the rollers.
• Use a wrench to remove the roller brackets.
• Slide the old rollers out of their tracks and replace them with new ones.
• Reattach the roller brackets and test the door’s movement.

Garage Door Tracks

Tracks guide the rollers as the door moves. They can become misaligned or damaged, causing the door to jam. Regular inspection is necessary to ensure they remain straight and in good condition.

How to Replace:

• Check the alignment of the tracks with a level.
• If the tracks are bent or damaged, replace them by removing the fasteners.
• Install the new tracks by securing them in place with bolts.
• Re-align the tracks and rollers for smooth operation.

Garage Door Cables

Cables work with the springs to lift the garage door. Over time, they may fray or snap due to wear. If a cable breaks, the door may become difficult to open or close.

How to Replace:

• Disconnect the power and remove the door’s tension.
• Using pliers, unhook the broken cable from the drum and pulley.
• Install the new cable onto the drum and pulley system.
• Ensure the cable is properly wound and tightened before testing.

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Garage Door Opener

The opener is the motorized component that controls the door’s movement. It includes a motor, remote, and various sensors. If the opener stops working, it can be due to a faulty motor, dead battery, or misalignment of the sensors.

How to Replace:

• Disconnect the opener from the power source.
• Remove the mounting bolts and carefully detach the old opener from the ceiling.
• Install the new opener by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Reconnect the power and test the new opener with the remote.

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping seals the bottom of the door, preventing drafts and moisture from entering the garage. Over time, it can become cracked or worn, compromising insulation.

How to Replace:

• Lift the door and remove the old weatherstripping by pulling it off the bottom.
• Measure the length of the door to ensure the new weatherstripping fits.
• Attach the new weatherstripping by sliding it into the groove along the door’s edge.
• Trim any excess weatherstripping to fit.

Garage Door Sensors

Sensors are safety features that prevent the door from closing if something is in the way. They can be damaged or misaligned, causing the door to malfunction.

How to Replace:

• Check the alignment of the sensors and adjust them as needed.
• If the sensors are damaged, remove them from their mounts.
• Attach the new sensors to the brackets and reconnect the wires.
• Test the sensors to ensure they are working correctly.

Garage Door Hinges

Hinges connect the individual panels of the garage door. If a hinge becomes bent or damaged, the door may not operate properly. Regularly check the hinges for any signs of wear.

How to Replace:

• Lift the door slightly to relieve pressure on the hinges.
• Use a wrench to remove the screws securing the damaged hinge.
• Install the new hinge and secure it with screws.
• Test the door to ensure it opens and closes smoothly.