Each time you hit the remote to activate a garage door, a series of components work together to safely close and open the unit. When one part is damaged or stops functioning, the entire operation can be compromised. The following guide provides an overview of the most common components of a door to help you get a better understanding of the potential problems you could encounter.

Dissecting a Garage Door’s Anatomy

1. Torsion Spring

Located above the door’s center point, this spring unwinds and tightens each time the door lifts and lowers. Attached to the springs, the metal shaft with drums on each end facilitates this movement.

Age and long-term usage cause torsion springs to weaken, compromising the door’s ability to move. Weak springs may not be able to support the weight of a door, snapping and dropping the unit. If you notice the door shifting unsteadily when you operate it, protect yourself and others by not using the garage until you can get a spring replacement.

2. Tracks

Most overhead garage doors move along three tracks, one middle track and two located on the door’s edges.

These tracks can bend or warp due to impact. If a track is damaged, the door can get stuck mid-movement. Replacing the track restores the functionality of the door.

3. Rollers

There are several rollers at the center of each track, as well as two located at the top and bottom of the garage door, to raise and lower the door.

As with the springs, rollers can malfunction due to age and excessive wear. While well-functioning rollers operate quietly, ones that require attention produce loud grinding sounds. Damaged rollers may also prevent a door from opening and closing all the way. Lubricating them typically resolves the issue.

4. Operator

There is a casing installed on the top of the garage that gets feedback from the opener. When you hit the open and close buttons on the remote, the device sends signals to the operator so it can respond accordingly.

Inside the operator is a motor that acts as the powerhouse of the door, activating all of the moving parts the unit needs to function. A dead motor won’t move the door, so it needs annual inspections and preventive maintenance to prevent malfunctions.

 

If your garage door needs service, turn to CGX Overhead Door LLC in Eureka, MO. Serving Wildwood, St. Charles, St. Peters, Ballwin, and the Greater St. Louis area, this locally owned company repairs and maintains a wide range of makes and models. They have the training, tools, and equipment needed to restore garage door springs, openers, and rollers. Call (314) 550-9212 to schedule an inspection and receive a free estimate, or visit their website to learn more about preventive maintenance.