Cables & Drums - FAQs & Troubleshooting

Lift cables and drums carry the door weight with the spring system. Use these FAQs for frayed cables, slipped drums, crooked doors, and TorqueMaster cable kits. Browse cables and drums when you are ready to order.

Safety note: Cables are under spring tension. Fully secure the door and release spring tension before removing cables or drums. Replace frayed cables in pairs. Never operate the door with a broken cable or spring.

Can you purchase the cable by itself for TorqueMaster springs?
Why is my garage door hanging crooked?
How do I fix a frayed or broken cable?
How do I install cable drums and wraps?
Why did my garage door cable come off the drum?
What are safety cables and do I need them?
What type of cable do I need for my garage door?

Can you purchase the cable by itself for TorqueMaster springs?

No. For Wayne Dalton TorqueMaster systems, the cable is not sold separately. It comes preinstalled on the drum as part of a complete replacement kit. Order the TorqueMaster Cable Drum Assembly Kit

Why is my garage door hanging crooked?

A crooked door usually means one cable has slipped off the drum or one side cable has broken. When only one side lifts, the door tilts and jams in the tracks. The fix requires reinstalling or replacing the cables and checking drum alignment.

How do I fix a frayed or broken cable?

Frayed or broken cables cannot be safely repaired. They must be replaced. A failing cable can cause the door to jam or hang crooked. Always replace both cables at the same time to keep the door balanced. Replacement cables are available in our cables and drums collection.

How do I install cable drums and wraps?

Cable drums sit on the ends of the torsion tube and hold the lift cables in grooves. Each turn of the drum is called a wrap, and the number of wraps must match your door height. After the spring is wound, the cable should sit tight in each groove without slack.

Why did my garage door cable come off the drum?

A cable usually comes off the drum if the door is opened with a broken spring, if the door hits an obstruction, or if the cables lose tension. Once slack occurs, the cable can unwind unevenly and jump the grooves on the drum. Reinstalling requires safely resetting the springs and rewinding the cables correctly.

What are safety cables and do I need them?

Safety cables are used with extension spring systems. They run through the spring to keep it contained if it breaks under tension. Without them, a broken extension spring can whip dangerously and cause serious damage. If your door uses extension springs, you must also have safety cables installed for safe operation.

What type of cable do I need for my garage door?

The type of cable depends on the spring system your door uses:

Torsion springs: Use lift cables that wind around grooved metal drums mounted at the top corners of the door. Cable length depends on door height and drum style. - Shop Torsion Spring Cables & Parts
Extension springs: Use safety cables that run through the center of each spring to keep it contained if it breaks. - Shop Extension Spring Cables & Accessories
TorqueMaster springs: Use special cables that wrap around plastic drums mounted on the spring tube. These cables are not sold separately and are only available preinstalled with the drum assembly kit. - Shop TorqueMaster Cable & Drum Kit