Topic 'Garage door extension springs, two different ratings' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: Garage door extension springs, two different ratings

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 11:01:05 EDT

Msradell posted : Even though the door operation looks good now in the door isn't racking you are putting excessive strain on the door with the unmatched springs. It's certainly not urgent that you replace the second one but it definitely should be done the first chance you get when there is nice weather.
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Re: Garage door extension springs, two different ratings

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:40:03 EDT

ArgMeMatey posted :

said by Mr Matt:

If one spring broke how long will it take for the other spring to break? I would replace the other spring as well.

That was my first thought, too. Last time, I had one break and replaced both. I will replace the other 130# eventually but I'd prefer to put it off until warmer weather. I could fill a three-foot job jar. :)

Re: Garage door extension springs, two different ratings

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:16:09 EDT

Mr Matt posted :

said by ArgMeMatey:

Now I'm wondering if I can just leave that 130# spring.

If one spring broke how long will it take for the other spring to break? I would replace the other spring as well.

Re: Garage door extension springs, two different ratings

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 22:03:58 EDT

garys_2k posted : No expert, but as long as the door doesn't rack (go out of square) near the bottom of its travel you should be fine. I doubt that difference is big enough to really matter.

Garage door extension springs, two different ratings

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:15:09 EDT

ArgMeMatey posted : Is it a problem to have a 130# spring on one side and a 150# spring on the other side? This is not a torsion mechanism; just plain old extension springs.

I had weighed the door about a decade ago and bought two (yellow) springs for a 130# door. During a regular test some months later I disconnected the opener and found that the springs were close, but a bit on the light side, allowing the door to close too easily and slam if done manually.

Yesterday, one of those springs broke. So this time I watched the YouTube video and re-weighed the door more sensibly with my trusty bathroom scale, and came up with 140-145 lbs. So let's say 143 lbs.

I bought a pair of 150 lb. (red) springs, replaced just the broken one, and tested the door operation manually. It was about perfect in terms of balance, staying down on its own, and being easy to raise by hand. So, since it was 23 degrees F, I decided to hold off on replacing the 130# spring. Now I'm wondering if I can just leave that 130# spring.
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