Fezmid Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 So I woke up this morning, pressed the magic garage door opener button, the door lifts a couple of inches, and then reverses and goes back down... I tried holding the button down as a "reset" (read that online), nothing... I tried helping it up when pressing the button, nothing... I pulled the string that's supposed to be the emergency release, and the door weighs about 100000 pounds and I can't move it more than an inch, and when I let go it SLAMS down... I'm stuck! We did hear a loud noise in the house last night and didn't know what it was. I wonder if it was some spring or something that broke. I never really looked very closely at our garage door opener to know what it was supposed to look like in a "good" configuration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdelma Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 The light beams have to be aligned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegtapr Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 "Accidently" drive through it then call your insurance company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 The light beams have to be aligned. Wouldn't I still be able to pull the emergency release and open the door manually though? I'm thinking it's a tension thing with the springs, since I can't lift it and it slams down HARD when I try doing it manually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 There should be a pull cord near the control box. Pull it, and it will release the motor drive and allow you to lift the door manually. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 There should be a pull cord near the control box. Pull it, and it will release the motor drive and allow you to lift the door manually. Good luck. Yeah, I tried that: "I pulled the string that's supposed to be the emergency release, and the door weighs about 100000 pounds and I can't move it more than an inch, and when I let go it SLAMS down..." That's why I think it might be a spring/tension issue of some sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Live&DieBillsFootball Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Before you get a repairman, you might want to see what it would cost to replace the door. A new door comes with the springs and all new hardware. If it's only a few hundred more, you might be better off replacing the door with a lightweight one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Hey fezmid, could you move this thread to the The Consumer Digest board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Before you get a repairman, you might want to see what it would cost to replace the door. A new door comes with the springs and all new hardware. If it's only a few hundred more, you might be better off replacing the door with a lightweight one. I thought about that, but since we live in a townhome, the doors need to look the same and I don't want to go through the trouble. The guy called us back and said it'll be $169 to replace the springs -- not great, but they are 7.5 years old, so I guess... I'd like to replace the actual door opener as well - the builder used a cheap, noisy 1/3HP chain opener and everything I've read said it should be 1/2HP. Cheapass builder. I think I'd like the screw one as well, as it's supposed to be a little quieter and more reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haven Moses Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Sounds to me like a spring broke. That's why it's so heavy. You should call a professional. With all the torque on those springs and cables, that's a good way to lose a finger if you don't know what you are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Start hitting the weights a bit and then you should be able to open it after a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Yep. Busted spring or cable. That's why you can't easily lift the door. You should prob be able to see something hanging down or a cable with a lot of slack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Sounds to me like a spring broke. That's why it's so heavy. You should call a professional. With all the torque on those springs and cables, that's a good way to lose a finger if you don't know what you are doing. Yep. I agree. I heard they only last about 7 or 8 years too. They're kind of expensive to replace though... about $170. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'm sorry but the boss ain't buying it. Get your lazy ass into work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'm sorry but the boss ain't buying it. Get your lazy ass into work! I was working from home -- VPNs are your friend (or enemy, depending on how you look at it). Dan was right on - cost me $170 to get it replaced. However, this one is supposed to last 20-30 years, and has a lifetime warranty, so that's good (depending on what the fine print of the warranty says, of course). I'm now at work, crisis averted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I was working from home -- VPNs are your friend (or enemy, depending on how you look at it). Dan was right on - cost me $170 to get it replaced. However, this one is supposed to last 20-30 years, and has a lifetime warranty, so that's good (depending on what the fine print of the warranty says, of course). I'm now at work, crisis averted Damn you need to work on that hookie thing. "Boss, you'll never believe what happened. The power went out and I can't get the garage door opened so I'm stuck. I'd work from home but I can't with no power." And off to the golf course you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Start hitting the weights a bit and then you should be able to open it after a few months. Always plan ahead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Damn you need to work on that hookie thing. "Boss, you'll never believe what happened. The power went out and I can't get the garage door opened so I'm stuck. I'd work from home but I can't with no power." And off to the golf course you go. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 There was a murder in my neighborhood several years back and they blocked everything off so I couldn't get to work. That was the happiest I've ever been to hear that one of my neighbors had been offed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyT Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 There was a murder in my neighborhood several years back and they blocked everything off so I couldn't get to work. That was the happiest I've ever been to hear that one of my neighbors had been offed. Saying "happiest" implies that you've had murders in your neighborhood before. If true, then YIKES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kegtapr Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 There was a murder in my neighborhood several years back and they blocked everything off so I couldn't get to work. That was the happiest I've ever been to hear that one of my neighbors had been offed. I live at the end of a no outlet road. Every storm that blows through I have my fingers crossed one of the giant trees along it will topple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I've replaced the spring on my garage doors twice now. Cost me $8 each time, for the spring. And it's not that hard to replace. But like everything, you need to be careful, but nothing out of the ordinary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 If you heard a loud noise and you can't get the door open, at least one spring broke (I'm assuming it's a double door). If it is a double door, have them replace BOTH springs because the second spring is all but guaranteed to break in the next year. In the future, make sure you keep everything that moves lubricated properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 If only this could happen to half the Bills roster on Sunday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewPort71 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 In the future, make sure you keep everything that moves lubricated properly. Having good lubrication is always important Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordio Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Wouldn't I still be able to pull the emergency release and open the door manually though? I'm thinking it's a tension thing with the springs, since I can't lift it and it slams down HARD when I try doing it manually. My light beams were not alligned last year. I was still able to open the garage by holding down the garage door opener button(instead of just hitting it once). So that is not your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 The light beams have to be aligned. Yeah, that's what the wife told me, still don't understand what she meant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Saying "happiest" implies that you've had murders in your neighborhood before. If true, then YIKES! No, what it implies that he's been happy with other neighbor's getting shived, but this one made him the most happiest of all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 If you heard a loud noise and you can't get the door open, at least one spring broke (I'm assuming it's a double door). If it is a double door, have them replace BOTH springs because the second spring is all but guaranteed to break in the next year. In the future, make sure you keep everything that moves lubricated properly. He replaced 'em both. He also explained where to spray the WD40 -- I had never done it in 7.5 years, but now I know. They really need a "new home owners" book that talks about what routine maintenance you're supposed to do around a house... If they don't have one yet, I should write it... If I knew what to do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I live at the end of a no outlet road. Every storm that blows through I have my fingers crossed one of the giant trees along it will topple. Do you own a chain saw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Do you own a chain saw? ~NG~ has one that's just gathering rust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I was working from home -- VPNs are your friend (or enemy, depending on how you look at it). Dan was right on - cost me $170 to get it replaced. However, this one is supposed to last 20-30 years, and has a lifetime warranty, so that's good (depending on what the fine print of the warranty says, of course). I'm now at work, crisis averted As you said, the builder did it on the cheap. If you live in an especially humid location, the springs will give out sooner. Since that may have happened, there's also a sensor up there that may give out due to humidity. Is your Garage Door the insulated type? That helps moderate the temps in the Garage, and depending where it's located, relative to your living area, could help your energy bills for the house. The $170 was probably money well spent. Springs can be dangerous and are generally not a good do it yourself project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewPort71 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 He replaced 'em both. He also explained where to spray the WD40 -- I had never done it in 7.5 years, but now I know. They really need a "new home owners" book that talks about what routine maintenance you're supposed to do around a house... If they don't have one yet, I should write it... If I knew what to do! http://www.amazon.com/Home-Owners-Manual-I...g/dp/1594741034 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 http://www.amazon.com/Home-Owners-Manual-I...g/dp/1594741034 The review says it's more funny than anything. My wife and I were thinking of a book that talks about stuff you need to do and why... And then has a maintenance schedule like you get when you buy a new car, so you can check things off when you complete them. "Year 0, month 1: Replace furnace filter" ... "Year 0, month 9: Replace furnace filter, empty and clean water heater, oil garage door springs." ... "Year 0, month 12: Replace furnace filter, clean air ducts, inspect furnace." Something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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