Garage Door Springs - FAQs & Troubleshooting

The springs are designed to offset the full weight of the door so it can be raised with minimal effort. If the door suddenly feels heavy, it usually means:

• A spring has broken and is no longer providing lift.
• Springs are fatigued or incorrectly sized, so they aren’t balancing the door properly.
• Friction from worn rollers or misaligned tracks is adding resistance.

Tip: Disconnect the opener using the red release cord and lift the door manually. If it won’t stay in place at waist height, the spring system needs attention before further use.

All three systems do the same job—counterbalancing the weight of the door—but they look and function differently:

• Torsion springs mount above the door on a shaft and twist to store energy. They are the most common modern spring type. See torsion springs.
• TorqueMaster springs are exclusive to Wayne Dalton doors. They’re hidden inside a metal tube with special winding hardware. See TorqueMaster springs.
• Extension springs run along the tracks and stretch as the door closes. They are used in pairs and require safety cables. See extension springs.

Always replace springs with the same type your door was designed for. Switching systems without modification can cause serious damage or injury.

The actual door weight tells you which spring rating you need. There are two main methods:

• Check the label (TorqueMaster only): Many Wayne Dalton spring tubes include a balance weight or part number.
• Weigh the door: With all spring tension safely removed and the opener disconnected, place a scale under the door to record its true weight.

You can order TorqueMaster springs in three ways:

• By wire size and length
• By door weight
• By part number from the tube label

Use the TorqueMaster Spring Selector Tool