Broken Garage Door Spring: Signs, Dangers and Cost

The bang you heard was probably a spring

A single loud bang followed by a door that refuses to lift is the signature of a snapped torsion spring. Springs are rated in cycles - roughly 10,000 for standard springs, about 7-12 years of normal use.

Five signs of a broken spring

A 2-inch gap in the coil; the door rises 6 inches then stops; the opener strains and gives up; the door slams down; the top section flexes when lifting.

Why you should not keep using the door

The opener is designed to overcome friction, not lift 250 lb. Running it on a broken spring destroys the gear, shaft, cables and often the top panel - turning a $250 repair into a $900 one.

Replacement cost

Expect roughly $200-$350 for one spring installed and $300-$500 for a matched pair. High-cycle springs cost more up front and last two to three times longer. See our spring repair page.

Always replace in pairs

On a two-spring door the second spring has the same age and cycle count as the one that broke. Replacing both keeps the door balanced and saves a second call.

Do not DIY torsion springs

Winding bars, correct wire gauge and precise turn counts are required. This is the one job that sends people to the emergency room. Call (888) 247-0922.