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How to Measure Torsion Springs

WARNING: Torsion springs, extension springs, and other garage door hardware can cause serious injury or death if not handled and installed properly. Professional installation is recommended.

Do NOT attempt to install springs or hardware yourself unless you have the proper tools, reasonable mechanical aptitude and experience, and upper arm strength. Read and understand all instructions before you begin work.

Extension and torsion springs, along with attached hardware, are under extreme tension at all times. All tension must be released from springs before any work is performed.

This method of measuring your torsion spring requires you to measure the existing springs.  Use this method if the door worked correctly before the spring(s) broke and the garage door has not been tampered with.  To measure the torsion springs, follow each of the following steps carefully.  If the garage door has two springs measure each spring individually.  It is not uncommon to have two different size springs.  If you prefer a matching set, we can convert a mismatched set to a matching set.

Step 1 Determine Wire Size

The most efficient way to measure the wire size is to measure 10 coils and then measure 20 coils and compare the measurements to the chart below.  Measure to the nearest 1/16" of an inch.  It is important to make sure there are no gaps between the coils.  Measuring coils that have gaps will give incorrect measurements.

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Step 2 Determine Springs ID (Inside Diameter)

For your broken spring(s) measure the inside diameter of the spring. If the spring is in one piece you can find the diameter on the cones, p175=1 3/4" and p200=2". Typically residential springs will have a 1 3/4" or 2" inside diameter.

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Step 3 Determine Spring Length

When measuring your torsion spring, remember that in order to get a proper measurement the spring must be un-wound. If the  spring is in two parts, unscrew set screws and connect spring ends together to  get a total measurement. Do not include the cones in the measurement.

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Step 4 Determine Spring Wind

Most standard residential torsion systems have two torsion springs, one on the  right and left. The Left spring is right hand wound(RHW), and the right spring is left hand wound(LHW). If one spring is broken on your torsion system, we highly recommend replacing both springs.

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FAQ

Q: Are your springs good quality?

A: "Absolutely! We custom make all our springs to the industry's top standards."

Q: Why are your prices so cheap compared to your competitors?

A: "Simply put, Volume. We sell a vast amount of springs which allows us to stock everything available on our website and pick and ship it to you, our customer fast and efficiently.

Q: What is "High Cycle Life"?

A: A High Cycle Life upgrade is essentially taking the spring measurements from your order and increasing the gauge and length of the spring(s) to make the springs last longer than factory standard. These take the same amount of turns when installing that your original set did.

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