Garage Door Spring Replacement

Expert Garage Door Spring Replacement in New Jersey

A broken garage door spring is one of the most common repairs we perform – and one of the most dangerous to attempt yourself. Springs are under extreme tension (150-200 pounds of force) and require specialized tools and training to replace safely.

Cyber Garage Doors replaces thousands of garage door springs each year throughout Northern and Central New Jersey. We stock all standard sizes for residential and commercial doors and can typically complete the job in 45-75 minutes with same-day service available.

Signs Your Garage Door Spring Needs Replacement

• Loud Bang or Snap – The most obvious sign. Sounds like a firecracker when the spring breaks.
• Door Won't Open – Opener runs but door only lifts 6-12 inches or doesn't move at all.
• Door Feels Extremely Heavy – Without spring assistance, a double door weighs 200-400 lbs.
• Door Closes Too Quickly – Broken spring means no counterbalance, causing dangerous slam-downs.
• Visible Gap in Spring – You can see a 1-2 inch separation in the coils above the door.
• Door is Crooked When Opening – One spring broke, leaving the other side imbalanced.
• Cables Hanging Loose – Often accompanies spring failure on extension spring systems.

Torsion vs. Extension Springs: What's the Difference?

Torsion Springs (Most Common)

Torsion springs are mounted horizontally on a metal shaft above the garage door opening. They work by twisting and storing energy as the door closes, then unwinding to help lift the door when opening.

• Lifespan: 10,000-30,000 cycles depending on quality
for replacement (pair)
• Safety: Safer because they're contained on a shaft
• Space: Requires 10-12 inches of headroom

Extension Springs

Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side of the door. They stretch and contract as the door moves, providing lifting power through cables attached to the bottom corners.

• Lifespan: 8,000-15,000 cycles
for replacement (pair)
• Safety: Should have safety cables running through center
• Space: Good for low-headroom applications

What's Included in Our Spring Replacement Service

When we replace your garage door springs, you get a complete service package:

Spring Replacement Estimates & Options

Why You Shouldn't DIY Spring Replacement

We see 2-3 DIY spring injuries every year – and those are just the ones that call us afterward. Here's why this is not a DIY job:

• Extreme Tension Force – Springs store 150-200 lbs of torque. Slippage can cause severe lacerations, broken bones, or worse.
• Specialized Tools Required – Proper winding bars, vice grips, and spring tension calculators are necessary.
• Precise Calculations Needed – Wrong spring size or tension causes premature failure or door imbalance.
• Shaft Removal Risks – The torsion shaft must be properly secured during spring replacement.
• Insurance/Liability – DIY injuries aren't covered by homeowner's insurance in many cases.

Professional spring replacement estimates varies and takes under an hour. The risk of serious injury makes DIY a bad value.

Frequently Asked Questions