What You May Be Seeing
One side of the door is lower than the other
A cable came off its drum or snapped
A steel cable hangs loose by the bottom corner
A broken or unwound lift cable
Rollers popped out of the track
The door was forced, hit, or a cable failed
The door is stuck partway and won't move
Binding from a bent track or a cable problem
Frayed strands on the cable near the bottom
A cable close to failing
How Cables and Tracks Work Together
Each side of the door has a steel cable. It runs from a drum on the spring bar down to a bracket at the bottom corner of the door. As the springs turn, the drums wind the cables and the door rises evenly.
The rollers ride in the tracks and keep the door square in the opening. If one cable lets go, that side drops, the door twists, and rollers can jump out of the track.
Common Causes
- A broken spring. When a spring snaps, the sudden slack can throw a cable off its drum.
- Worn cables. Cables rust and fray at the bottom, where water sits. Our summer storms and wet springs don't help.
- Something hit the door. A bumper, a mower or a bike handle can bend a track or knock a roller loose.
- An obstruction while closing. If the door lands on a bin and the opener keeps pushing, a cable can go slack and jump the drum.
- Loose track bolts. Tracks drift out of line over time and start to pinch the rollers.
What the Technician Does
The first job is making the door safe. A technician clamps the door so it can't move, then takes the tension off the springs before touching a cable or a section.
From there it's usually new cables on both sides and a check of the drums and bottom brackets. The rollers go back in a straightened or replaced track, then the springs are wound back up and the door balanced.
If a spring caused it, that gets replaced too. See broken spring repair.
Cables are usually replaced in pairs, because the one that didn't fail is just as old.
When the Door Is Damaged Too
A door that came off the track hard can bend a section or crack hinges. Small bends can often be fixed. A badly creased section is a bigger question, covered on the dented panel page.
If the door is old and now needs cables, springs and a section, it's worth comparing that bill with a new door. The repair or replace guide has a simple rule of thumb.
Stuck Open Overnight?
If the door is stuck open and you're worried about security, tell us in the form. Don't try to force it down. A technician can usually secure it until a full repair is done.
Request a call back or call (919) 555-0136.