A torsion spring holds stored energy, and this lab shows why only a technician should work on one.
A torsion spring is a tightly wound coil of hardened steel wire wrapped around a metal shaft mounted horizontally above your garage door opening. When the door closes, the spring is wound tighter by cables attached to drums at each end. This winding stores enormous rotational energy, and that energy is released to lift the door back up.
Clopay says torsion springs are under extreme tension, and even a small mistake can cause serious injury. The numbers below are the ones a manufacturer or price guide states.
A torsion spring winds up as the door closes and unwinds as it opens. That stored force is why spring work is for a trained technician.
Here is what can go wrong with a torsion spring, and why it is a technician's job.
Clopay says even a small mistake with a torsion spring can cause serious injury.
When a spring breaks, the stored energy releases suddenly and the door loses its counterbalance. Keep clear of the springs and the door.
Winding a spring takes very high tension and specialized tools. Clopay calls spring replacement "not your typical DIY project", which is why it is a technician's job.
A broken spring means nothing is counterbalancing the door's weight, and the door can fall. Do not stand or park under a door with a broken spring.
When a spring breaks, the shaft and spring ends can move suddenly. Keep hands, clothing and hair away from the springs and the shaft.