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Garage Door Cable Repair

Many homeowners do not give much thought to their garage door until it stops working properly. This usually happens when a cable breaks. The cables are sturdy steel wires that work in conjunction with springs to lift and lower the garage door cable repair smoothly. The cables are under significant tension and can snap if not kept in good shape.

The good news is that it’s possible to fix a broken cable before it breaks by performing an inspection and making some simple repairs. If you catch a cable problem in time, it can save you the expense and hassle of replacing the entire cable or even your whole garage door.

Depending on the style of garage door you have (extension spring or torsion) there are one or two cables that run along each side of the door opening. In most cases the cables are a heavy-duty twisted metal cable that last for years without any problems. However, there are conditions that accelerate wear and tear such as misaligned pulleys, excessive moisture, or improper track alignment. These conditions can also lead to rust, corrosion and frayed portions of the cable.

Regularly performing a visual inspection of the cables can help to identify kinks or frayed sections. In some cases, the damage may be due to protrusions or obstructions that can be corrected with some minor adjustments. Regularly spraying the cables with a light lubricant will also prevent rust and corrosion and prolong the life of the cable.

There are several common signs that a garage door cable is breaking. A broken cable can cause the garage door to sag or become unbalanced, making it difficult or impossible to operate. Other symptoms of a broken cable are a loss of tension, popping or snapping noises while operating the garage door, and visible fraying and wear.

If you notice any of these issues with your garage door it’s important to call a professional right away. Doing a DIY repair or attempting to replace the cable yourself can be very dangerous and lead to injury or property damage.

The first step is to disengage the garage door opener so that it cannot activate while you’re working on the cable. You’ll also want to use a ladder and locking pliers to secure the door to the track on both sides. Once the door is open, locate the “S” hook that attaches the cable to the track and detach it. Then take note of which way the old cable traveled in the pulley as this will determine which way to wind the new cable.

Once you’ve removed the old cable, lay the new cable on top of the existing cable and start winding it around the drum in the same direction. When you have enough cable to reach the bottom of the door, remove the ladder and reattach the new cable by sliding the looped end over the pin on the bottom of the drum. Before you finish, test the new cable to make sure it’s functioning correctly.