Bent garage door tracks are a common problem due to the weight of the mechanism and its constant use. Parts can sometimes wear out or break, causing the door to bend over time and not function properly. But how can you fix it?
To fix a bent garage door track, you need to loosen the screws on the track, straighten the track, and repair the bend with a claw hammer. If that doesn’t work, replace the mechanism and consult a professional to install it. Do not use the door if the track is bent.
In this article, we will show you how to repair your bent garage door track. You will also learn the main cause of bending in garage mechanisms, and the average cost of repairing a garage door.
Contents
Why Do Garage Doors Bend?
Garage doors can bend due to general wear and tear. However, this occurs due to a lack of proper maintenance of the door mechanism. If your garage door is older than a year or two, check it and see if you notice any rust or issues with the parts.
Another common cause of bent garage doors is the accumulation of dirt, sand, or other debris in the mechanism. If your garage door mechanism has trapped material, it creates additional tension that can lead to bending issues.
Remember to keep an eye on the cables of the mechanism. If any of them are damaged, it will lead to bending over time. This is because the cables bear the weight of the garage. If one fails, there will be an imbalance of weight on both sides.
By conducting a thorough inspection of your workshop every year, you can avoid bending or other issues with the mechanisms.
Another thing that leads to bending is the impact of cars on the door lining. If you know you recently collided your vehicle with your garage door, stop using it and inspect the mechanism.
If you believe the track of your garage door is faulty, start repairing it or call a customer service specialist.
How to Fix Your Bent Garage Door Track
The first thing you need to do is stop using your garage door. Continuing to use it can lead to more expensive problems. Then, examine the problem and see if you need to change any part of the mechanism.
These are the steps you need to follow to fix a bent garage door:
- Stop using your garage door until you have fixed the problem. We need to emphasize this. If you force the mechanism, you may need to replace the entire door and not just some parts.
- Loosen the screws. The bolts hold the track in place. If they are tight, you won’t be able to perform the necessary repairs or replacements.
- Be careful not to completely remove the screws. Resetting them can be much harder than you think. Once the screws are loosened, you can bring them back into a vertical position.
- Straighten the tracks. You can use pliers to do this. Do it slowly and cautiously to avoid accidentally damaging them. Once you have completed this task, tighten the screws again.
- Repair the bend. The mechanism is fixed. Now it’s time to reinsert the door. To achieve this, you can bend the track back into shape with a claw hammer.
If you can’t repair your bent garage door with these steps, you may need to replace the track mechanism. It is also an excellent option to contact a garage door professional to repair it for you. Replacing a garage door mechanism is much more difficult than it seems.
Note: If you live in an area with strong winds, you can reinforce the door. By adding a brace, you make your garage door stronger, allowing it to withstand the impact of the wind.
How to Replace a Damaged Spring of a Garage Door Track
In a garage door track mechanism, there are many parts. Most of these parts are not expensive, and they are quite easy to replace. One of the components that can fail most often in a garage track mechanism is the springs.
Here are the steps you can follow to replace the springs of your garage door track:
- Disconnect the track for safety reasons.
- Pull out the red cord (for models with a battery backup).
- Use a vice to prevent the door from falling after removing the springs.
- Detach the spring from the mechanism (do it slowly and carefully). You will need a screwdriver and two winding bars to do this.
- Now, loosen the center bars that hold the springs together. You will need a 9/16 wrench or a power tool to make it faster.
- Separate the springs.
- Next, you need to loosen the cable drums on both sides. Use a 7/16 wrench to do this.
- Once everything is loose, it is now time to remove the springs from the mechanism.
- Replace the damaged springs with the new ones. Make sure to reinsert the cable drums as well.
- Attach both springs. Use the original screws to tighten them or replace them with a new set.
By following these steps, you can successfully replace the damaged springs of your garage door track.
If you prefer a more visual guide on how to replace damaged springs, we recommend watching this video:
How to Replace a Faulty Motor of a Garage Door Track
Replacing a motor is not a difficult task. You can do it in just 20 minutes, but it might be a bit expensive.
Here are the steps you need to follow to replace your faulty motor:
- Disconnect the motor.
- Disconnect the track chain.
- Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws that secure the tension wires to your motor.
- Disconnect the wires.
- Loosen the screws that secure the unit in place.
- Loosen the screws that secure the unit in place.
- Loosen the screws.
- Remove the loosened screws and pull the unit down (carefully).
- Remove the screws that connect the track to the motor.
- Unpack the replacement motor.
- Place it on the track and secure the screws to connect both.
- Reposition the unit in place. Remember to tighten the screws.
- Reconnect the track chain to the motor.
- Now, reconnect the tension wires with the previously removed screws.
- Reconnect the unit.
If you need a more visual guide on how to replace a faulty chain motor in a garage door, we recommend watching this video:
Average Repair Costs for Garage Doors
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to repair a damaged garage door track is $223. However, it can range between $147 and even over $300, depending on the severity of the damage.
The costs vary between replacing a single roll-up door or a custom roll-up door. A new spring for your garage track can cost between $40 and even $100.
Conclusion
If your garage door track is bent, make sure to stop using it and replace the parts that are not functioning properly. The most common components that fail in a garage track mechanism are the springs and the motor.
Garage doors can withstand trouble-free for years, but they can only last long if they receive the necessary maintenance. So, always remember to look for dirt or sand that could generate tension in the mechanism.
Remember that safety comes first, and unplug before performing any repair or replacement.