Torsion springs are designed to carry specific garage door weights. When replacing your torsion springs, it is very important that you use springs of the same size and specifications as your existing springs. Learn how to measure torsion springs to find out what size springs you need.
Step 1: Measure Wire Size
Wire size is the most important measurement. This determines the overall strength of the spring.
The wire size (thickness) can be measured easiest with a spring gauge. If you do not have a spring gauge available, you can take a 10-count or 20-count measurement of the coil. Lay the tape on top of the spring, wedging the end of the tape in between the coil. Count out 20 coils on your torsion spring and measure them with your tape measure.
Step 2: Measure Spring Length
The key thing to remember on how to measure the length of garage door torsion springs is to unwind them first. This gives you the correct length. The length affects the winding capacity of a torsion spring.
Measure your spring from wire to wire. Do not include the winding or stationary cones in this measurement. When looking for a replacement, you can safely increase or decrease the length by one inch if necessary.
Step 3: Measure Inside Diameter
When measuring the inside diameter, make sure you do not include the cones. Otherwise, you will have the wrong measurement, which will cause the garage door to be unbalanced when it opens and closes.
Use your tape measure to find the diameter. This can be measured on a broken garage door spring.
Generally, larger inside diameter springs are used for commercial garage doors. Smaller diameters of 1-3/4 inch and 2 inch are used on residential garage doors.
Step 4: Determine Spring Wind
Torsion springs come in right wind and left wind. When looking at your garage door, left wound springs are installed on the right and coiled counterclockwise and right wound springs are installed on the left and coiled clockwise.
If your garage door has two torsion springs, replace both springs at the same time to maintain an even tension on your garage door.
Post time: Aug-08-2021