To lubricate or not to lubricate, that is the question. I have been given
every answer, including to use silicon or lithium grease, and not to do
so.
I am sure rollers and tracks should be treated differntly, particularly
with exposed ball bearings.
Please advise.
Garage Door Maintenance
Summary:
The hardware and springs of garage doors are important parts to
maintain so your garage door keeps working for years to come. Your
garage door springs must be adjusted and lubricated. All cables,
levers, etc. should have good connections. Always leave garage door
repair to a professional.
Related Articles: Garage Doors, Secure Radio Operators, Garage Door Manufacturers
Related Articles: Garage Doors, Secure Radio Operators, Garage Door Manufacturers
Springs
Probably the most important part of a garage door are the springs. These beasts are the muscles that are actually supposed to do 95 percent of all the work to lift an overhead garage door. If you have to struggle to lift your door, then the springs are out of adjustment or possible worn out. You can check your springs fairly easily. If the door is well lubricated and the door is not in a bind within the tracks, it should stay suspended in a halfway open or closed position. If it opens, the springs might be too tight. If the door proceeds to close on its own and slams to the ground, the springs are too loose or worn out.
Do NOT attempt to adjust the springs yourself. It is very dangerous and must only be done by a trained professional.
Cables, Levers, Hinges, Rollers, etc.
Every six months, take a look at the hardware parts that make up the garage door. Look for worn metal, loose connections, etc. If you spot them, call a professional. Every year, homeowners get seriously injured when they fiddle around with garage door hardware. Some crazy homeowners who paint their doors try to remove hardware to paint behind it. More than one homeowner has been KILLED when they removed the bottom bracket that is attached to the cables or springs!
Remember, when a garage door is down in the closed position, the springs are like cocked guns. The springs are loaded with hundreds of pounds of potential energy just waiting to be released. If you unbolt a nut and the spring rips the bracket from your door, it can take your head with it. I have witnessed springs that have failed and shot across a garage like a cannon ball. Don't mess with the hardware. Leave it to a pro!
For further information on garage door safety and maintenance, go to the web site of the International Door Association (www.door.org) and read their article on "Automatic Garage Door Opener and Garage Door Safety & Maintenance Guide."
Periodic Lubrication
You can lubricate your door's moving parts. Always use a lightweight oil to coat the rollers, hinge pins, track, etc. Never use a heavy oil or grease.
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Comments:Welcome! I, Tim
Carter, don't answer questions
here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area,
perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask
Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look
closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use
this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me,
there is an option there for you.
Victor Stuhl 02 Sep 2008, 14:59
rick mann 14 Nov 2008, 15:10
I have a garage door opener. When it gets cold, it may take 15 or more
tries before my door fully opens. What can I do to resolve this?
schwank 24 Nov 2008, 09:15
rick mann.....sounds like your bearings are shot. Those are the round
(about 2 1/2 inches in diameter) things that the cable on each side runs
throough. There are two per side and they cost about $10 ea. Replace
those and it's like a whole new unit. It's sort of counter-intuitive to
think that those pieces make such a difference....but they do.
Jim 17 Feb 2009, 16:27
We have a garage door lock that appears to "Pop" open by it's self. The
mechanism is a typical 1/4 turn device with a square bolt that pops up into
a slot to lock the door, as the arms move horizontally into slots. Is it
possible weekend springs or some other problem causes this?
Mike Boyer 01 Mar 2009, 22:29
Likely the slotted lock plate may be worn where the square of the handle
inserts through the plate or the slotted lock plate may need to be flushed
up better to the back useing washers. Knock out internal pin found on
inside grey handle then add same size washer or two then reassemble. Re
insert pin. By the way and almost in all installations the garage door lock
should have been left off primarily and the door installed with
inside,"slide lock" only as the motor opener would be installed shortly
after move in if one was not already there..... M Boyer
Mike Boyer 01 Mar 2009, 22:34
Jim,let me know either way if that fixed it. You can freely E-Mail me at
solsurfcat@yahoo.com.
Kevin 21 Mar 2009, 16:33
I have 2, 9X7 cedar garage doors that are in need of refinishing. I have
thought about doing it myself but feel it may be better left to a
professiona. Can you recommend someone for this job?
lee 25 Mar 2009, 11:19
Garage door comes down and doesn't seat fully with floor on left side-
caused is a stretched spring on that side. Should I replace both springs
(the one on the right is ok & I have an unused spring)? Opener is a
Liftmaster Professional Formula One. Do you think it's just spring failure
(3 yrs. old) or could it be an adjustment problem during the installation.
Note: three doors done three years ago.
LashuaDoor 10 Jun 2009, 15:11
Victor ~
I work in the garage door business. We use a Door & Operator Penetrating Oil (with the red cover)from Fehr Brothers on each of our service calls.
LashuaDoor 10 Jun 2009, 15:17
Kevin~
As far as refinishing your garage door. It is up to you to go with a professional or not. But adding weight to the door may make the springs not work properly. Each set of springs are set up for a specific weight range. If your door weights more than the springs are set up for... they are more likely to break. I believe each can of paint added to a door adds 8 pounds to the door. Please make sure with a local door company that the springs you have will work after the refinishing project is done. And good luck. Jennifer View all comments |
