A garage door that suddenly feels too heavy to lift, or a loud bang followed by a door that won't budge, almost always points to one thing: a broken spring. It's one of the most common — and most misunderstood — garage door repairs.
Professional Garage Door Services is based in Tarzana and provides garage door spring replacement throughout the San Fernando Valley, including Encino, Woodland Hills, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Winnetka, Studio City, Northridge, Canoga Park, and Calabasas. We're licensed, insured, and family owned, and every estimate is free.
Same-day spring replacement is often available, and 24-hour service covers the situations that can't wait. Call (888) 285-4021 and we'll get you the right answer.
What Is Garage Door Spring Replacement?
Garage door springs do the heavy lifting — literally. They counterbalance almost the entire weight of the door so that it can be raised and lowered smoothly, whether by an opener or by hand.
There are two main types: torsion springs, which mount on a metal shaft above the door and twist to store energy, and extension springs, which stretch along the horizontal tracks on either side. Both wear out over time from normal use — they're rated for a certain number of open-close cycles, and once that's used up, they're prone to breaking.
When a spring breaks, the door loses its counterbalance. What used to lift with one hand can suddenly become too heavy to move safely, and an opener not designed to lift that weight unassisted can be damaged trying.
If your door suddenly feels heavy, you hear a loud bang from the garage, or you can see a visible gap in the coil of the spring, stop using the door and call for a replacement rather than trying to force it.
Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Failing
Not sure what's wrong? Here's a guide to what you might be noticing — but if in doubt, stop using the door and call us before it gets worse.
Garage door feels heavy
You may notice: Manual lifting takes much more effort than before, or the opener strains and slows down.
Likely cause: A spring that's losing tension or has partially failed.
Why it matters: This is the most common early warning sign of spring failure — worth addressing before it breaks completely.
Loud bang from the garage
You may notice: A sudden, sharp bang, often followed by the door not responding.
Likely cause: This is frequently the sound of a torsion spring breaking under tension.
Why it matters: The door has lost its counterbalance. Don't attempt to open or close it until it's inspected.
Visible gap in the spring coil
You may notice: A noticeable separation in the coiled spring above the door.
Likely cause: The spring has broken and is no longer under proper tension.
Why it matters: This confirms spring failure. The door is unsafe to operate until the spring is replaced.
Door slams shut instead of closing smoothly
You may notice: The door drops quickly instead of lowering at a controlled pace.
Likely cause: Loss of spring tension removes the controlled counterbalance that normally slows the door's descent.
Why it matters: A door that slams can cause damage or injury. Keep people and pets clear and avoid using it further.
Door opens unevenly or crooked
You may notice: One side of the door lifts faster or higher than the other.
Likely cause: On doors with two springs, one may have failed while the other is still intact, creating an imbalance.
Why it matters: An uneven lift puts extra strain on the remaining spring, cables, and tracks.
Opener struggles or burns out
You may notice: The opener motor works harder than normal, gets warm, or eventually fails.
Likely cause: Openers aren't designed to lift a door's full weight without spring assistance — a bad spring puts that burden on the motor.
Why it matters: Continuing to run the door this way can shorten the opener's lifespan significantly.
If your door feels unusually heavy, won't stay open, or you see a broken spring or cable, stop using it and keep people and pets clear. A professional inspection is the safer path.
What to Expect During a Spring Replacement Visit
Every door and issue is different, but a typical visit includes:
- Inspection of the door to confirm the spring type (torsion or extension), size, and whether one or both springs need replacing.
- An assessment of the door's overall weight and balance, since the correct spring depends on both.
- A clear explanation of what's needed and why, including whether related hardware like cables or rollers should be addressed at the same time.
- Replacement using springs matched to your door's exact specifications — not a generic, one-size-fits-all part.
- Balance testing after installation to confirm the door holds position and moves smoothly through its full range.
- A final check of the opener's performance now that it's no longer compensating for a failed spring.
Repair the Spring or Replace the Door?
In the vast majority of cases, a broken spring is a straightforward, contained repair — it doesn't mean anything is wrong with the door itself, and replacing the spring restores normal operation.
The exception is when a spring failure has caused secondary damage — for example, if the door dropped suddenly and damaged a panel or track, or if the door is old enough that other hardware is also failing at the same time.
We'll let you know honestly if we see signs of broader wear beyond the spring itself, rather than replacing just one part and leaving you to deal with the next failure a few months later.
Safety Comes First
- Never attempt to loosen, adjust, or replace garage door spring hardware yourself — these springs are under extreme tension.
- Do not try to force a door open or closed if you suspect the spring has broken.
- Keep children and pets away from the garage until the spring is repaired.
- If you see a visible gap in the spring, treat the door as inoperable until it's fixed.
- Avoid using the emergency release or manually operating the door if a spring has failed — the door can drop unexpectedly.
What Does Spring Replacement Cost?
Spring replacement cost depends on the spring type, size, and whether one or both springs need to be replaced, along with your door's overall weight and any related hardware that needs attention.
Custom or oversized doors typically require heavier-duty springs, which can cost more than a standard single-car door's springs.
We provide a free estimate after inspecting your specific door and spring setup, so you have an exact price before any work begins.
Why Homeowners Choose Professional Garage Door Services
Licensed & Insured
Family Owned
24-Hour Service
Free Estimates
We're based in Tarzana and handle garage door spring replacement safely, correctly, and without upselling parts you don't need. Professional Garage Door Services is licensed, insured, and family owned, with free estimates, 24-hour service, and same-day availability when scheduling allows.
Areas We Serve
Professional Garage Door Services is based in Tarzana and provides garage door spring replacement throughout the surrounding San Fernando Valley, including Encino, Woodland Hills, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Winnetka, Studio City, Northridge, Canoga Park, Calabasas, and nearby communities.
Want details specific to your area? Visit our Tarzana, Encino, or Woodland Hills pages, or contact us for your specific location.
