Ever tried fixing your own garage door?

[thykingdom]

This is kinda in between off-topic an on-topic, lol, because it's still about Garage. Lately, my garage door has been given me issues. It started a few months ago. I noticed the door was making a lot of noise. At first, I ignored it. But it kept on getting worse. So I read a few articles online, and I realised most garage door noises can are by lubrication.

So I purchased a garage door lubricant from Amazon. That fixed the issue, but it was only temporal. So I went researching again. After a bit of research and troubleshooting, I found out the garage door roller has worn out after. I found a guide on how to replace the rollers here: https://www.garageadviser.net/garage-door-repair-guide/
Most resources online describe the process as a dangerous one, and only a specialist can fix the problem. I find it hard to believe. I've done lots of DIY projects on my own, which are considered even more dangerous.

I want to know if anyone has tried fixing his garage door on his own? And do you recommend I do it on my own or hire an expert?

[N54Yankee]

Garage door springs are under a hell of a lot of tension and can be very dangerous for the novice.

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by thykingdom

This is kinda in between off-topic an on-topic, lol, because it's still about Garage. Lately, my garage door has been given me issues. It started a few months ago. I noticed the door was making a lot of noise. At first, I ignored it. But it kept on getting worse. So I read a few articles online, and I realised most garage door noises can are by lubrication.

So I purchased a garage door lubricant from Amazon. That fixed the issue, but it was only temporal. So I went researching again. After a bit of research and troubleshooting, I found out the garage door roller has worn out after. I found a guide on how to replace the rollers here: https://www.garageadviser.net/garage-door-repair-guide/
Most resources online describe the process as a dangerous one, and only a specialist can fix the problem. I find it hard to believe. I've done lots of DIY projects on my own, which are considered even more dangerous.

I want to know if anyone has tried fixing his garage door on his own? And do you recommend I do it on my own or hire an expert?

The only thing I would be concerned about is the torsion spring. I happened to be outside checking my mailbox when one of the the neighbor’s torsion springs unexpectedly snapped. It was loud as hell. I went over to help the neighbor lift the garage door and was surprised by how heavy it felt without one of the two the springs. I wouldn’t mess with the springs without doing some serious diligence on how they work, how the tension is released, and how to reset the tension. It could be simple but I saw what happens when the spring fails and wouldn’t want to be a part of that.

[Buckeye///M]

I’ve replaced torsion springs on several doors over the years. You just need to take your time and be extra cautious. Have an assistant available if you need to lift the door.

On a scale of 1-10 in difficulty, I would give this a 4.

[Alfisti]

Just call someone, potential for disaster.

[thykingdom]

My garage door springs are completely fine. The problem is with the door rollers
They are found in the tracks of the door and helps for smooth movement of the door

[Mintsopoulos]

I would think most of that hardware on the doors are DIY, except the torsion spring. Not like those rollers are under any immense pressure or providing structural integrity for anything else.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by Mintsopoulos

I would think most of that hardware on the doors are DIY, except the torsion spring. Not like those rollers are under any immense pressure or providing structural integrity for anything else.

+1

The rollers are pretty straightforward to replace. Lowes and Hope Despot stock them. If they don't have an exact replacement, they'll probably be close enough. Remember that when the door's closed they look like they're just hanging around with nothing to do, which they are, but when the door's raised they're supporting its full weight and need to be screwed/bolted to the door securely.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

The only thing I would be concerned about is the torsion spring. I happened to be outside checking my mailbox when one of the the neighbor’s torsion springs unexpectedly snapped. It was loud as hell. I went over to help the neighbor lift the garage door and was surprised by how heavy it felt without one of the two the springs. I wouldn’t mess with the springs without doing some serious diligence on how they work, how the tension is released, and how to reset the tension. It could be simple but I saw what happens when the spring fails and wouldn’t want to be a part of that.

I'm pretty much fearless when it comes to DIY stuff. Tore off and re-roofed a 2-story house when I was 15 or 16. But I don't f*ck with torsion springs.

[thykingdom]

Originally Posted by Mintsopoulos

I would think most of that hardware on the doors are DIY, except the torsion spring. Not like those rollers are under any immense pressure or providing structural integrity for anything else.

You've given me all the confidence I was looking for. I'll save some cash doing it on my own

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Garage door springs are under a hell of a lot of tension and can be very dangerous for the novice.

Because it bears repeating. I can tell you from personal experience, if you remove the wrong screw at the wrong time, you're liable to wake up staring at the ceiling of your garage and wondering why your jaw is broken. I was lucky I was back juuuust far enough for the panel to whiz by my head, but another inch or two forward...

[WingZeroX5]

Rollers are a cakewalk. I replaced them with nylon ones and the noise reduction was incredible.

Few months ago, one of the torsion spring snapped and it shook the house a bit, believe it or not. I youtube'd a bunch of videos on how to replace the torsion spring and it was very straight forward. Ordered $15 torsion bars on Amazon and the pair of springs from a reputable online dealer. Arrived in a few days. There are some other parts which you would want to replace while you're in there.

Overall, it was very straightforward. The hardest part was sanding down the rust from the 1" diameter bar to get new bearings in. Everything else slid into place.

The thing you have to remember is not to stand in front of the spring as you're winding it. Should those winding bars come loose for whatever reason as you're working the spring, it could be fatal

Youtube it. If you are cautious, there's nothing really to worry about. Obviously, don't unscrew the torsion spring bolts without having the winding bar locked in place. Common sense. Same thing with putting a car on jack stands before getting under it.

[chassis]

Rollers are easy. Be sure to get the right one, there are different rollers and brackets for each position. Normally a number is stamped on the bracket, replace it with the same number. Buy the heaviest duty rollers, from a garage door supply outlet if one exists in your town/city. Rollers are high profit replacement parts for the likes of Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. You get what you pay for.

Springs are for professionals only, and you can be killed when trying to replace one, if you don't know what you are doing.

[thykingdom]

UPDATE: Ordered the Durabilt garage door roller from Amazon. Waiting for it to be delivered, and the rest will follow.

[M5Rick]

Locating large corner screw came out of my fibre glass garage door causing it to go at a crazy angle when remote was pressed.A neighbour helped me straighten it shut and drilled a hole in the corner where the screw was ripped out inserting a long thick bolt with wide thick strengthening washers. After tightening up it's working fine.

[Darth One]

I had the idea to DIY once, but after reading about it, i decided not to. It sounded like a mistake could result not just in death, but “the kind of death that you usually only see in the Final Destination movies”

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by Darth One

I had the idea to DIY once, but after reading about it, i decided not to. It sounded like a mistake could result not just in death, but “the kind of death that you usually only see in the Final Destination movies”

Yeah, one wrong move and you're a Darwin Award candidate.

[kanovic]

Springs are not as bad as people make it, Iv done mine and never did any work on a garage door at all. Just read up on them take your time and it’s fairly easy. If you buy springs get the ones that come with the long rods which is the tool to wind up the spring and to unwind it. And again take your time!

[scootr]

The OP was asking about rollers and 90% of you went off on springs

Rollers are totally safe and cheap to replace on your own.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by pennsiveguy

I'm pretty much fearless when it comes to DIY stuff. Tore off and re-roofed a 2-story house when I was 15 or 16. But I don't f*ck with torsion springs.

Same. Did the DIY approach once to fix a massive, wooden, roll up garage door that was soaked with rain to the point the torsion spring wouldn't hold it up. "What the heck, just put a few more winds on that 50 year old rusty spring" my dumb ass 24 year old self thought. Was winding it when it shattered on me. Scared the piss out of me. Went inside shaking and called a repair company. The technician who came out said I was lucky to have all my fingers and my life. NEVER again will I even mess with one of those, even if it's brand new. Aint worth it.

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

Same. Did the DIY approach once to fix a massive, wooden, roll up garage door that was soaked with rain to the point the torsion spring wouldn't hold it up. "What the heck, just put a few more winds on that 50 year old rusty spring" my dumb ass 24 year old self thought. Was winding it when it shattered on me. Scared the piss out of me. Went inside shaking and called a repair company. The technician who came out said I was lucky to have all my fingers and my life. NEVER again will I even mess with one of those, even if it's brand new. Aint worth it.

Yup, like a toddler with a handgun.

[aguywalksintoabar]

Originally Posted by neomahauck

)))))))

Why? Just why?!