Replace Both Garage Door Torsion Springs at Once?
If your door has two torsion springs and one just broke, garage door torsion spring replacement should almost always be done as a pair. Both springs were installed the same day, have done the same number of cycles, and have lived through the same Arizona summers. The second one is not far behind, and a mismatched set makes the door lift unevenly and wears the opener. This is a different question from how long springs last. This one is about the day one of them lets go.
Why one broken spring means two tired springs
Torsion springs are rated in cycles, one cycle being one open and one close. A standard spring is built for roughly 10,000 cycles, about seven years at four uses a day. Both springs on a double door share the load, so they reach that number together. When the first one snaps, the second has the same miles on it. In our experience it usually fails within months, sometimes within weeks. Replacing one now and the other later means two service calls and a door out of balance in between. Replacing both means one trip, matched springs, and a door that lifts straight.
What a mismatched pair does to the door
A new spring and a worn spring do not pull the same. The new one holds its full tension while the old one has relaxed, so the door lifts crooked, one cable runs looser than the other, and the opener strains to make up the difference. We see this on garage door repair calls in Peoria more than people would guess: the complaint is a jerky door or a cable that jumped the drum, and the cause is a single spring swapped a year ago. An unbalanced door is the fastest way to wear out an opener.
A Buckeye double door that taught the lesson
A homeowner in Buckeye had one spring replaced by another company and declined the second to save a little. Seven weeks later he called us on a Saturday with the second spring broken and the door stuck halfway, one side higher than the other. We came out the same day, replaced both springs with a matched, higher-cycle pair, reset the cables on the drums, and balanced the door so it would hold at waist height on its own. He said the door was quieter than it had been in years.
Single-spring doors and the upgrade question
Some single-car doors and some builder-grade double doors come with only one torsion spring. If that is your door, there is nothing to pair, but it is worth asking whether to convert to two springs. Two springs share the load, so each lasts longer, and if one breaks the other keeps the door from slamming. On a heavy insulated door or a wide double door, we recommend the conversion. On a light single door, one spring is fine. Either way we size the spring to the door weight, because builders sometimes install the smallest spring that would work on the day the house closed. Our garage door repair techs weigh the door when there is any doubt.
The honest counterpoint
There are a few cases where replacing only one makes sense. If the second spring was replaced recently and you have the paperwork, pairing a new spring to a nearly new spring is reasonable. If the door itself is at the end of its life and you are planning to replace it within the year, a single spring can bridge the gap, though we would rather talk about whether to repair or replace the door first. And if money is tight, we will tell you plainly what the second spring is likely to do and let you decide. What we will not do is replace one spring and pretend the door is fixed.
What to do right now if a spring broke
• Do not try to lift the door by hand. A double door with a broken spring can weigh more than a person can safely hold.
• Do not keep running the opener. It will strain the motor and can bend the top panel.
• Leave the door closed, keep kids and pets away, and call or text for same-day service.
• Have your door width and whether it has one or two springs handy. It helps us bring the right parts the first time.
Same-day garage door torsion spring replacement in the West Valley
JCTZ Garage Doors is family-owned, not a franchise, licensed ROC #343346. Our trucks carry a full range of torsion springs so most garage door spring repair jobs are finished in one visit, with free estimates by call or text. Call 623-335-3699 and we will get your door lifting straight again today.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace a garage door torsion spring myself?
We strongly advise against it. Torsion springs are wound under high tension and have caused serious injuries when released with the wrong tools. A trained tech with winding bars does it safely in about an hour.
How do I know if my door has one spring or two?
Look at the shaft above the door. One or two coiled springs sit on it, usually with a gap in the middle where the center bracket is. If a spring is broken, you will see a clean gap in the coil.
Do new springs come in a longer-life version?
Yes. Higher-cycle springs are rated for several times the standard 10,000 cycles and are a smart choice for a busy household, since the labor to install them is the same.
When one spring breaks, garage door torsion spring replacement as a matched pair is the repair that lasts. One visit, a balanced door, and an opener that is not fighting the springs.
Contact JCTZ Garage Doors
JCTZ Garage Doors
4219 S 234th Ave
Buckeye, AZ 85326
Phone: 623-335-3699
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