Garage Door Spring Replacement
Garage Door Spring Replacement in Chicago
A loud bang and a door that will not lift usually means a broken spring. We replace torsion and extension springs safely, matched to your door.
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The short answer
If a garage door spring breaks, the door will not lift and should not be forced. Replacement means installing the correct torsion or extension spring for the weight and size of your door, adjusting the balance, and testing the door. Springs are dangerous to handle, so this is a professional repair, often completed in one visit.
Springs do the real lifting in a garage door. The opener only guides the door along. When a spring breaks, the door suddenly weighs what it actually weighs, which can be well over 100 pounds, and neither you nor your opener can move it safely.
Spring failure is the single most common reason people call a garage door company, and it is a normal wear item. Every spring is rated for a number of open-close cycles, and in a house where the garage is the main entrance that number gets used up faster than most people expect.
Martinez Construction replaces both torsion and extension springs for residential garage doors across Chicago and nearby suburbs. Here is how the repair works, how to tell which type you have, and what to expect.
How to tell a spring has broken
- A loud bang from the garage, like a firecracker or a gunshot
- The door will not lift, or lifts only a few inches and stops
- The opener runs but the door does not move
- A visible gap in the coiled spring above the door (torsion) or a spring hanging loose along the track (extension)
- The door feels very heavy when you try the release cord and lift by hand
- One side of the door sits lower than the other
Torsion springs vs extension springs
Torsion springs sit on a metal shaft above the door opening. They twist to store energy and are the standard on most modern doors. They run smoothly, last longer, and fail more safely because the shaft contains the spring.
Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on both sides and stretch as the door lowers. They are common on older and lighter doors, including many original bungalow-belt garage doors. They should always have a safety cable running through them. Extension springs are cheaper, but a snapping spring can whip across the garage if it is not contained.
How long garage door springs last
Standard springs are typically rated around 10,000 cycles, one cycle being a single open and close. A family that uses the garage four times a day will reach that in under seven years. High-cycle springs are rated for far more and cost more upfront. If you use the garage constantly, they often pay for themselves.
Cold weather does not wear a spring out, but cold steel is less forgiving, which is why springs tend to break on the first deep freeze of the season. Rust and missing lubrication shorten spring life as well.
Why we replace springs in pairs
On a door with two springs, if one has broken the other has been through exactly the same number of cycles and is usually close behind. Replacing both at once means one visit instead of two, and keeps the door balanced. Springs are also matched to the door: wire size, length, and inside diameter must fit its weight, so the replacement is selected for your door, not picked at random.
What a spring replacement visit includes
- Inspect the door, cables, drums, and bearings, since a failing spring often damages related parts
- Identify the correct replacement springs for your door weight and size
- Safely release and remove the old springs and install the new ones
- Balance the door so it stays put halfway up without the opener
- Lubricate moving parts and check cables, rollers, and hinges
- Test the opener, sensors, and auto-reverse before we leave
Why you should not do this yourself
Torsion springs are wound under extreme tension, and the winding bars used to adjust them can slip. People are seriously hurt every year trying to swap springs after watching a video. The correct tools, the correct spring, and experience handling stored energy are what make this repair safe. If you think a spring has broken, leave the door alone and call.
What affects the price
Price depends on the spring type, the size and weight of the door, whether you want standard or high-cycle springs, and whether other parts such as cables or rollers need replacing at the same visit. We give you the number before we start. For a deeper breakdown, read our spring replacement cost guide.
How It Works
From first call to a working door
You call or message us
Tell us what the door is doing: the noise, the symptom, the size. A few details help us bring the right parts.
We diagnose on site
We inspect the whole system (springs, cables, tracks, rollers, sensors, opener) to find the real cause, not just the symptom.
You get the price first
We explain what is wrong in plain language and quote the work before we start.
We fix it and test it
We balance the door and test the sensors and auto-reverse so it is safe to use before we leave.
What Chicago homeowners say
5.0 stars from 15 real Google reviews
“I love my garage door! I was able to do everything over the phone, and they got everything completed in just one day. The pricing was right within my budget too. I'm very happy with the whole experience!”
Monica Zarco
Google Review
“Great job pleased customer fast and profesional definitely will recommend thank you”
Sandra Kanca
Google Review
“Great company to work with, they offer great pricing and easy to work with. I highly recommend them!”
Wells Family
Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open my garage door manually if the spring is broken?
We do not recommend it. A door with a broken spring is much heavier than it should be and can drop suddenly. If you must get the car out, pull the red release cord, keep your hands and feet clear, and have someone help. Then call for a repair.
How long does spring replacement take?
Most spring replacements take roughly one to two hours once the technician is on site, depending on the door and whether other parts need work. We will give you a realistic time estimate when you call.
Should I replace one spring or both?
On a two-spring door we recommend replacing both. They have the same cycle count, so the second one is often close to failing, and replacing both keeps the door balanced.
Do garage door springs break more in winter?
They often seem to, because cold makes steel less forgiving and the first very cold morning is when a worn spring finally lets go. The wear itself comes from use, not the cold.
My opener is running but the door will not move. Is it the spring?
That is a very common sign of a broken spring, since the opener alone cannot lift the door. Do not keep running the opener. Disconnect it with the release cord and call for service.
Where we work
Chicago neighborhoods includingBelmont Cragin,Portage Park,Logan Squareand more areas.
Broken Spring? We Can Help
Call (773) 801-9492 now. Describe what happened and we will tell you what to expect and how soon we can be there.