adjusting tension on garage door spring

[imgoing2sleep]

I am trying to install garage door opener and I think that the spring on my garage door needs to be adjusted. I called two garage door companies and they both said that they do not adjust these springs and that I would have to replace them. This is a new constuction home from 2002. I would think that the springs are still good. Does anyone know if this is really true that these springs cannot be readjusted once they are on?

[gunflint]

I know that people have been killed trying. I think the reason that the garage door companies don't do is that it's very dangerous. I wouldn't do it.

[King Canada]

Depending on the builder you should be able to find out what company originally installed the door. Depending on what you think is wrong with the operation you might be able to convince them to adjust it. Most of these companies won't adjust them because they don't want to assume the liability for somebody else's door or for that matter it's performance after someone else installs an opener. If you buy the opener from them and have them install it , they will adjust the existing door.

[SUICK]

It can be done but i'm missing part of my thumb because of it DON;T DO IT!!!!!

[JohnMickish]

With the right tools it's a very easy thing to do and would only take a few minutes. Without the right tools you can kill yourself. Find an independant garage door installer or an installer that does side jobs.

[hooked2000]

Please be careful, It could mess up fishing

[Surface Tension]

I can think of 4 different types of springs systems used on garage doors. All are not that hard to adjust as long as you know what your doing. Do an inspection of lag screws and mounts before doing anything. Some of the earlier models can be dangerous. Being your door was installed in 2002 the death rate has gone down considerably You probably have a version thats uses a allen wrench to adjust the tension. That would be located next to the spring with instructions at that point. Depending on whom ever installed the door would have left a folder with documentation stapled to a stud somewhere in your garage.

A good carpenter would have left that info, someone looking for a extra buck down the road would have tossed it.

[cliffy]

PLEASE BE CAREFUL ....if you don’t feel comfortable fixing the door yourself....keep looking for a professional to help you.

I was in your shoes last summer...except my garage door is a POS from the early 80s. I thought I could adjust the springs/coils myself.....WRONG! I attempted to do it with a small pry bar.....which is still probably in orbit around Saturn as we speak.

[fishin789]

It can be done if you are careful. I replaced my springs when one broke.

Here's a site that explains it and has pictures. that is if this is the type of springs you have.

replacing garage door springs

I'm wondering though what makes you think it needs to be adjusted? did it work before you put the automatic door opener on? if it did, check your opener to see if it has an up force adjustment.If it does and is adjusted to low it will not open your door.or stop part of the way up.

[imgoing2sleep]

Thanks for all the responses, guys. In response to your question fishin789, my door won't stay open if I pull the door halfway up. According to the installation manual for the opener, if the door starts going back down then your torsion spring will need to be readjusted. A correctly adjusted torsion spring should be able to hold door on it's own if raised halfway up. I think that I will call the original installer and have them come out and take a look. Again thanks for all the replies.