Behind the Job · Open Sesame Garages
How We Replace Broken Garage Door Springs: A Real Job, Start to Finish
Published July 21, 2026 · Open Sesame Garages, Oklahoma City
A professional torsion spring replacement follows six steps: secure the door, unwind the old springs with winding bars, remove them from the shaft, install a matched left- and right-wound pair sized to the door, wind the new springs to spec, and balance-test before running full cycles. Done right, it takes about an hour — and the door lifts like new.
A snapped torsion spring is the most common emergency call we get — and the one homeowners understand the least, because all the important parts sit on a steel shaft above the door where nobody looks. So we filmed a real job: an evening call for a residential double door with broken springs, from the first ladder climb to the door gliding open at the end. Here is exactly what happens in that video, step by step.
1. Secure the door and kill the power
Before anything touches a spring, the opener is disconnected and the door is clamped so it cannot move. A door with a broken spring is unpredictable — the remaining spring is carrying load it was never meant to carry alone.
2. Unwind the old springs with winding bars
Even a "broken" spring system still holds real tension. Using solid steel winding bars — never screwdrivers or rebar — the technician backs the tension out of each spring a quarter turn at a time before loosening a single set screw.
3. Slide the old springs off the torsion shaft
With tension released, the cables come off their drums, the shaft is freed, and the old springs slide off. This is also when we inspect the parts homeowners never see: center bearing, end bearings, cables, and drums. If a bearing is worn, replacing it now costs almost nothing compared to a second visit later.
4. Install the matched pair of new springs
Torsion springs come in matched left-wound and right-wound pairs, sized to the exact weight and height of the door. The pair goes onto the shaft with the correct orientation on each side of the center bracket — a right-wound spring installed on the wrong side will never balance the door.
5. Reset the cables and wind to spec
Cables are seated back on their drums, set evenly on both sides so the door lifts level. Then each spring is wound to the turn count for the door — typically around 30 quarter-turns for a 7-foot door — and the set screws are torqued onto the shaft.
6. Balance-test and run full cycles
The clamps come off and the door is lifted by hand. A properly sprung door floats at the halfway point — it neither slams down nor drifts up. Only after it passes the hand test does the opener get reconnected, followed by full open-close cycles to confirm smooth, quiet travel.
The Details That Separate a Pro Job From a Quick Fix
Two things in the video are easy to miss and matter most. First, the springs go on as a matched pair — each spring in the video is stamped with its size code, and one is left-wound while the other is right-wound. Springs are not one-size-fits-all; the wrong wire size or length will leave a door too heavy for the opener or slamming shut. Second, the winding is done entirely with proper steel winding bars and cut-resistant gloves, a quarter turn at a time. That discipline is the difference between a routine job and an emergency room visit — it is the reason we tell homeowners never to attempt spring repair themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you replace both springs when only one broke?
Both springs were installed at the same time and have absorbed the same number of cycles. When one breaks, the other is typically weeks or months behind it. Replacing the pair in one visit costs less than two separate service calls and puts the door back in true balance.
How long does a spring replacement take?
For a trained technician with the right springs on the truck, most residential torsion spring replacements take about an hour, including the balance test and full-cycle check. The job in our video was done in a single evening visit.
Can I replace garage door springs myself?
We strongly advise against it. Torsion springs store enough energy to lift a 150-300 pound door, and releasing that energy incorrectly causes serious injuries every year. The winding bars, matched springs, and technique are exactly what you are paying a professional for.
How much does spring replacement cost in Oklahoma City?
In the OKC metro, spring replacement typically runs $150-$350 per spring depending on door weight and spring type. Open Sesame Garages quotes the full price upfront before any work starts.
How long will the new springs last?
Standard torsion springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles — roughly 7-10 years for a door used 3-4 times a day. High-cycle springs are available if your door works harder than average.
Broken Spring? Let Open Sesame Do Their Thing.
Same-day spring replacement across Oklahoma City and the surrounding metro. Upfront pricing, matched springs on the truck, free consultations.