Question:
One of the torsion springs on our garage door mechanism broke, the door
closed with a bang, and the idler sprocket (plastic of some kind)
shattered into pieces.
I have already read a warning that trying to replace one of these
torsion springs can result in injury or death, so we'll have to call
someone.
The question is: to what extent are the torsion spring mechanism and the
opener interrelated? It's an old All-O-Matic opener (installed by a
previous owner) with no optical sensor to prevent injury to people who
happen to be in the doorway when it closes (although it does reverse if
it meets a physical obstruction). There is also no way of opening it
just a little way (to get the newspaper) then closing it again
without first opening it all the way.
So if we want to install a more modern opener soon anyway, do we still
have to have this spring replaced first, or do we need to think about a
whole new mechanism, perhaps of a different type?
Answer:
The basic door opening mechanism, ie either torsion or regular springs,
is completely seperate and unrelated to an automatic door opener. You
can replace either without involving the other. However, for an
automatic door opener to work, the door does need to have working
springs and be balanced correctly.
Lowes & HD sell replacement parts, including springs, for garage doors.
Just raise the door all the way up to take the tension off the springs,
wedge a board under the door so it can't drop, then replace the spring.
If it were me, I'd replace both of them. The warning you mention is a
CYA by the manufacturer to protect themselves from idiots.
