"Andy Hall" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 11:23:08 GMT, Steve
wrote:

I have an up & over metal garage door that stays up when I open it most
of the time. The problem is that every now and again it drops down
again, by anything from about 6 inches to 2 or 3 feet. This often
happens some time I have opened it and carried on, happily believing it
has decided to stay open. It's already taken a lump out of the top of
my head and it's only a matter of time before it drops on to the roof of
the car as I back it out. This would not be a good thing.

Its the type that has a large metal spring just above the door, the full
width of the opening. At each side of the door opening is a vertical
track in which a nylon wheel attached to the garage door runs. There is
also a taut wire running from a reel on the end of the big spring to
help pull this wheel up.

The big spring was dry and rusty so I gave it a good soaking in WD40 and
that seemed to improve things for a while, but the problem soon came
back. I've sprayed everything I can see with WD40 but it's still not
right. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks

Steve

How old is the door and the spring?

If more than about ten years then probably new springs would make
sense.

THis firm has most things and gives helpful advice as well.

http://www.garage-door-spares.co.uk/


I've bought replacements for mine and also helped a neighbour with
his. Springs are not hugely cheap or expensive either, but probably
that's the solution. Worth a phone call at least.



--

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

They are adjustable - Mine is superbly balanced and well lubricated.
However, they are dangerous to work on. Find the tensioning instructions and
do it a bit at a time. Take care that nothing slips off the sprung shaft
whilst the Allen screw is loose.



--


Regards

John