Winding Springs - 3 min

Okay, we've installed our door and hung our torsion bar, now it's time to wind our spring. This is a relatively straightforward process but once torqued a torsion bar can be dangerous so be sure to use an extra amount of caution. Before you begin tensioning, notice the line painted along the spring, this line will let you count the number of winds you have made. To prevent the door from inadvertently opening fasten locking pliers or C-clamp just above the third roller.

In most cases, wind the spring by pushing up, winding the spring counter-clockwise, if you're unsure of proper winding direction however, just look at the springs last coil. A good rule of thumb is to always wind in the direction the last coil is pointing. Check your manufacturers specification sheet to determine the correct number of turns, tension will be determined by the height and size of the garage door.

To tension the spring insert a winding bar into the winding cone and push up, then insert a second bar, push up and repeat until the proper number of turns has been achieved. Notice as you wind that the spring grows in length and shrinks in diameter. After the spring has been tensioned you'll have to add some stretch or space to the spring so that it doesn't become spring bound. A spring is designed to lift with specific pounds per inch and if the spring is rubbing on itself it will decrease its lifting force.

Here's how to keep a spring from binding, once you’ve finished winding tap the upper part of the winding bar, this simple action will stretch the spring and prevent binding. Now tighten the winding cone set screws and remove the winding bars, then remove the locking pliers form the torsion bar shaft and check the door to ensure it is moving properly. Move the locking pliers from just above the 3rd roller, to just below the same roller, then slowly open the door until the number two roller gently touches the pliers. Now lower the door until it is approximately one foot above the door.

The door is considered reasonably balanced if it doesn't jump above the ground or fall to the floor. Another common test is to place each of the sections in the radius, each of the top three sections should rest in the radius and the bottom of section should coast to the full open position. To achieve reasonable balance the spring may need further adjustment. If the door is too heavy off the floor, increase the tension by increasing the number of turns if the door is hard to pull down, decrease the number of turns, and remember when you are doing either of these adjustments wind in quarter turn increments.