Metal garage door snapped cable

jvjack

This in picture has happened to my garage door. Picture is from inside garage. The sort of rod cable on left seems to have snapped off from the thin wire to the right.

It will still open and close to a point , say a quarter but is then very resistant and I don't want to force it any further as I don't know what's going on.

How would I find out if I can use more force or not. I can't see how it works. Would I break it more or is that cable system just for ease and I can force it more to open fully.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6666586/metal-garage-door-snapped-cable

One of the springs has been allowed to drop due to the cable snapping - it is obstructing the door which is why you can only open it a small amount.

You could just tie the spring up out of the way, but the one connected spring will mean the door will probably twist as you open and close it - and with only one spring to assist it won't be easy to open.

I would get a reputable garage door repair company to fit a new cable for you - it shouldn't cost a fortune and would help prevent damage to you or the door.

Garage door springs can store a lot of energy and be quite dangerous. It isn't something I'd suggest is a DIY project.

jvjack

Crikey. Wasn't expecting advice so quick or at all. Just tied the spring out of the way and yes the door twists on lifting. Will do it slowly at weekend to see what it will do.
And will be careful of it's energy. I certainly felt it. And yes definitely not DIY. Thanks

FreeBear

I would get a reputable garage door repair company to fit a new cable for you - it shouldn't cost a fortune and would help prevent damage to you or the door.

Garage door springs can store a lot of energy and be quite dangerous. It isn't something I'd suggest is a DIY project.

Have an almost identical door here. Many years ago, one of the cables snapped. Local supplier had replacement cables in stock, so I purchased one. It proved to be very difficult to get enough tension on the spring so that the cable could be hooked in place. On reflection, lucky I didn't lose a finger or worse. Unless you feel lucky (to misquote Clint Eastwood - Do you punk ?) get someone else to do it.

jvjack

Thanks , definitely not messing with it. Lifted it two feet and thought no no.
Have quotes from £160 for the two cables to £300 plus with new springs. Not sure what i need.
The spring that the cable has snapped doesn't uncoil on pulling it. Just a little bit of movement. Not sure if that's normal or not.
It goes only half way across the door.
Should it be like the lower one and stretch all the way or just go half way. Can't find pics of similar in google.
@freebear Is that like yours.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81986765#Comment_81986765

The spring that the cable has snapped doesn't uncoil on pulling it. Just a little bit of movement. Not sure if that's normal or not.

That sounds normal. As I said upthread, garage door springs can store a lot of energy. They achieve that by needing a lot of force to stretch them a small amount. In your system the cable runs through a pulley system, so doubling the force exerted on the spring. If you needed a lot of effort to move the door without spring assistance then you'd need at least twice that effort to stretch the spring.

As the pulley is still on the end of the shorter spring it doesn't look like the spring itself is damaged - although a comparison with FreeBear's would be useful to confirm.

jvjack

I see. What i think I'll do is get one that gave the quote for just the cables. Problem is they are all from say an hours distance and then might say when they visit that i need springs as well and another booking that will take it to over the price of the other quote.
Good thing is my dustbin is outside of garage so i can sit on it for a while. Imagine this with ones car inside. In a panic you forcefully lift the door and break the other cable and have the door collapse.

chrisw

I replaced mine with the help of a neighbour and it was fairly straight forward. If you look at the opposite spring, you can see the route the cable should take. As said, there's a lot of tension but there's a bracket on the spring pulley to help you pre-tension.
Similar process to this:-

https://www.sparesmaster.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/GAS1010-GAS1011-GAS1020-fitting-instructions.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooMDy14IhSzN7xv4__Sef70ny0DwdLO7Is2W1_2PNPHQ2Nir7b_

But also plenty of other guides online.

jvjack

Appreciate. My gut is saying don't mess with it as don't feel confident after feeling that energy/tension in it.