Garage door springs do almost all of the actual lifting. A standard double garage door weighs 130–400 pounds, and a correctly wound spring (or pair of springs) counterbalances nearly all of that weight so the opener only has to manage a few pounds of force. When a spring breaks, that weight transfers straight onto the opener and the track — which is why a broken spring is one of the few garage door problems we treat as a same-day priority.
We stock a full range of torsion and extension springs by wire diameter, coil length, and wind direction, and we calculate the correct spring for your specific door rather than reaching for a 'close enough' replacement. An undersized spring shortens the life of every other part on the door; an oversized one is dangerous to wind down.
Signs You Need This Service
- A loud bang from the garage, often mistaken for a gunshot or something falling
- The door feels noticeably heavier when lifted manually
- A visible gap or separation in the torsion spring above the door
- The door opens a few inches and stops, or the opener strains and reverses
- One side of the door rises faster than the other (common with two-spring torsion systems)
- Frayed or rusted spring coils you can see when the door is open
Why This Happens in Jacksonville
Most residential torsion springs are rated for roughly 10,000–15,000 open-close cycles — about 7–10 years of typical use. Jacksonville's humidity and salt air near the coast accelerate corrosion inside the coils, which is the single biggest reason local springs fail earlier than the manufacturer's estimate. Garages that face west or south and take direct afternoon sun also see faster wear, since heat changes the spring's tension slightly with every cycle.
Our Process
Inspect both springs and the shaft
Even if only one spring has broken, we check the other — torsion springs are would in pairs and matched ones are at, or near, the end of their life at the same time.
Measure for an exact match
Wire diameter, coil length, and inside diameter all have to match your door's weight and track type; we measure rather than guess.
Lift the door safely with clamps
We secure the door so it can't drop while the old spring is removed.
Install and torque to spec
Springs are wound to the precise number of turns for your door's weight using professional winding bars — never by hand.
Balance test
A correctly sprung door should hold steady at any height when disconnected from the opener. We test this before reconnecting it.
What Affects Pricing
Spring replacement is priced by the spring (or pair), based on the wire gauge and door weight, plus labor for the safety inspection of cables, rollers, and the drum that the spring works alongside.
- Single vs. double-spring torsion system
- Wire gauge / spring rating for your door's weight
- Standard vs. high-cycle spring upgrade
- Condition of the cable drums and bearing plates
Frequently Asked Questions
If only one spring broke, do I need to replace both?
We recommend it. Torsion springs are installed in matched pairs and cycle together; the second spring is almost always close to failing too, and replacing both keeps the door balanced.
Can I just buy a spring online and have someone install it?
Springs are sold by exact wire diameter and length — the wrong one either won't lift the door properly or will wear out the opener fast. We measure and supply the correct spring as part of the job.
How long does a spring replacement take?
Most single torsion spring jobs take about 45–75 minutes once the technician is on-site.
