We always recommend the 2-spring system. Not only does it allow your springs to last longer, but it reduces the overall risk of your garage door going down.

 

Please fill out and submit the following form using the dimensions of your 1 spring.

If you need help or aren't sure of the measurements of your current spring, start here: http://www.garagedoornation.com/pages/how-to-measure-springs

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What are Torsion Springs?

The torsion springs in a garage door are what provide the lifting power. They are a key part of the system, and if one breaks, it is important to replace them as soon as possible for safety reasons. The springs in your garage door help to lift the heavy steel panels when they open or close. If you have more than one spring, then each will do its share of work proportionate to its size and strength.

Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs

There are two main types of garage door springs, torsion and extension spring. These days torsion springs are the preferred choice because they last longer, offer smoother movement, and are safer. If you currently have extension springs installed and want to upgrade by installing two torsion springs instead, Read Our Guide Here.

Why Two Garage Door Springs are Better than One

There are many benefits of having a two-torsion spring door installed. The springs will last longer, for starters, because they are not working as hard to open and close your garage door. With two springs on your garage door, you'll get increased energy efficiency, a longer lifespan for the unit, quieter operation, and smoother performance when compared to a single-spring system.

These are some of the advantages you can expect from garage doors that have two torsion springs.

Prevents Damage to Your Garage Door and Improves Performance

In contrast with one-spring models, this design gives you more control over the tension on both springs and lessening wear and tear on your garage door because there is less pressure being exerted from only one direction. This can help you avoid problems like sagging doors or bent tracks by distributing weight evenly across each spring when used in conjunction with a center-bearing plate.

The springs will also last longer because they are not working as hard to open and close your door. This means that you should have fewer repairs in general for your garage door, which can save money on maintenance costs over time. It also results in increased longevity for the rest of your garage door components like hinges, tracks, and cables.

Two Springs Provides Additional Safety

A garage door is the heaviest mechanical moving part in your home and, in many cases, is opened and closed thousands of times a year. Manufacturers have invested in many safety features to help prevent accidents, but still, every year, thousands of people are injured by garage doors. Installing a second spring on your garage door can provide you with the additional safety that a single garage door spring can't.

When you have two springs, if one spring breaks nine times out of ten, the other will continue working, and you'll be able to open your garage door. Your opener will work harder to lift the weight of the door, but you'll still be able to get your car out of the garage. Still, this should be a temporary solution, and the garage door repair should be fixed as soon as possible. It will be putting extra stress on your garage door opener and other components, and the second spring will usually break very soon after the first one.

In contrast, if you only have one garage door spring and it snaps, the door will come crashing down, with no second spring to provide any backup. This could result in damage to your garage door, vehicle, or in the worst-case scenario, harm to you or another family member. The dual spring system means that any risk to people or property is minimized if a spring breaks.

Torsion Spring Cycle Life for Garage Doors

Torsion springs are rated in life cycles; for instance, 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 each life cycle is counted as the garage door opening and closing one time. The manufacturer decides this rating and is determined by the gauge of the wire used to make the coils. Thicker wires will result in a longer life cycle. It is cheaper to purchase a pair of garage door springs in most cases, and you get more life cycle options to choose from.

One Torsion Spring vs. Two Springs

As we have shown in most cases, if your garage door is over 10 feet wide, it benefits from using two springs. However, if you have an 8x7 lightweight door, for instance, made from aluminum, a single spring should suffice. On the other hand, it might require 3 or 4 springs if you have a particularly heavy garage door.

How to Install a Second Garage Door Spring

If you are looking for an affordable way to make your garage door more reliable and safer, converting from a single torsion spring system to two is the best option. The conversion process is relatively straightforward and inexpensive, and a homeowner with reasonable DIY skills should have no trouble with it.

However, it should be pointed out that the torsion springs are under considerable tension and cause severe harm or even death if not handled properly. You should be confident in your ability to perform the task and have the right tools for the job at hand.

The first step is to disconnect the opener from the power; once done, pull the emergency release cord disconnecting the opener from the garage door. Then take a pair of vice grips and secure them above one of the rollers.

Now with that preparation in place, we can start to work on the torsion springs. Using a wrench, loosen the bolts on the spring, so it is ready to slide off the torsion tube. Before you can do that, you need to remove the cable drums to move the torsion tube from left to right. Loosen the set screws on the cable drum and remove the cable. You’ll need to do the same on the cable drum on the other side of the garage door. You can now slide the cable drums off the tube and set them aside.

You can now slide the broken spring off the shaft and slide the first of the new torsion springs on, followed by the cable drum, and repeat on the other side with the second garage door spring. Now you have the two springs in place and bolt them together. Returning to the cable drum, you need to feed the cable wire back onto them and retighten the set screws. Take another pair of vice grips and secure them onto the shaft to keep it in place, so the cables don't come loose.

The next step is to add tension to the first spring using a winding bar to determine how many turns it needs to be fully tightened. The general guideline we suggest is that it requires turning a full revolution for every foot of door height. So an 8-foot door would be eight full revolutions or 32 quarter turns. Remember, this is the most dangerous part of the task, so ensure your head is not in line with the cone and that you are wearing safety goggles. Once the tension has been set, tighten the set screws on the spring. Repeat the same process with the second spring.

Release the vice grip from the torsion tube and the one above the roller and re-engage the opener; you can now test the door to ensure everything is working correctly.

Congratulations, your garage door is now installed with two torsion springs!

If you're looking for a second torsion spring for your garage door, we've got what you need. Our springs are made of high-quality steel, competitively priced, and are made in the USA. Just complete the form above, and we will get back to you with the best torsion spring for your requirements.