Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

On Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:43:07 -0400, "Meanie" wrote:

Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you


If it's balanced as you say, and moves freely with the opener
detached, there's only a couple things left.
1. The motor is failing.
2. The chain or worm is binding.
Check if the spring guy moved the opener chain/worm rail off-center.
You might also test the pulling force of the motor manually, but be
careful.
Otherwise it might be time to replace the opener.

--
Vic

On 6/24/2012 9:23 AM, Vic Smith wrote:
....

If it's balanced as you say, and moves freely with the opener
detached, there's only a couple things left.
1. The motor is failing.
2. The chain or worm is binding.
Check if the spring guy moved the opener chain/worm rail off-center.
You might also test the pulling force of the motor manually, but be
careful.
Otherwise it might be time to replace the opener.

3. The two springs aren't equally adjusted even though overall tension
counterbalances weight...

4. Hinges are binding

5. Track alignment is amiss or rollers/etc. are worn to point of causing
misalignment/binding...

6. Variations of any/all of the above...

--

On Jun 24, 10:27*am, dpb wrote:
On 6/24/2012 9:23 AM, Vic Smith wrote:
...

If it's balanced as you say, and moves freely with the opener
detached, there's only a couple things left.
1. *The motor is failing.
2. *The chain or worm is binding.
Check if the spring guy moved the opener chain/worm rail off-center.
You might also test the pulling force of the motor manually, but be
careful.
Otherwise it might be time to replace the opener.

3. The two springs aren't equally adjusted even though overall tension
counterbalances weight...

4. Hinges are binding

5. Track alignment is amiss or rollers/etc. are worn to point of causing
misalignment/binding...

6. Variations of any/all of the above...

--

I'd add to the above list:

The force limit may need to be adjusted on the opener. The ones I've
seen had one for the down force and one for the up force. It's a
safety mechanism to stop the door if it encounters too much
resistance.
If it's set too low, just normal opening could stop it.

Meanie wrote:
Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you



Hi,
Did they replace only broken one spring? Something is not in alignment.

On Jun 24, 10:50*am, "
wrote:
On Jun 24, 10:27*am, dpb wrote:









On 6/24/2012 9:23 AM, Vic Smith wrote:
...

If it's balanced as you say, and moves freely with the opener
detached, there's only a couple things left.
1. *The motor is failing.
2. *The chain or worm is binding.
Check if the spring guy moved the opener chain/worm rail off-center.
You might also test the pulling force of the motor manually, but be
careful.
Otherwise it might be time to replace the opener.

3. The two springs aren't equally adjusted even though overall tension
counterbalances weight...

4. Hinges are binding

5. Track alignment is amiss or rollers/etc. are worn to point of causing
misalignment/binding...

6. Variations of any/all of the above...

--

I'd add to the above list:

The force limit may need to be adjusted on the opener. *The ones I've
seen had one for the down force and one for the up force. *It's a
safety mechanism to stop the door if it encounters too much
resistance.
If it's set too low, just normal opening could stop it.

If I set my up force to a setting that makes it very easy for me to
stop the door during the summer, come winter time the door will stop
at various points while opening, depending on how cold it is.

I never seem to have that problem with the down force. Even a minimum
setting on the down force works all year.

wrote in message
...
On Jun 24, 10:27 am, dpb wrote:
On 6/24/2012 9:23 AM, Vic Smith wrote:
...

If it's balanced as you say, and moves freely with the opener
detached, there's only a couple things left.
1. The motor is failing.
2. The chain or worm is binding.
Check if the spring guy moved the opener chain/worm rail off-center.
You might also test the pulling force of the motor manually, but be
careful.
Otherwise it might be time to replace the opener.

1. I'll keep that one in mind.
2. I don't think it's the gears as I replaced them last November.

The rail doesn't appear to be off center. It sits within a notch at the door
end and thus, would be very noticeable.

How do I check the pulling force?


3. The two springs aren't equally adjusted even though overall tension
counterbalances weight...

Torsion springs have the white painted line on them to determine rotation
amount. I made sure both sides are equal to ensure one spring isn't working
harder than the other.

4. Hinges are binding

5. Track alignment is amiss or rollers/etc. are worn to point of causing
misalignment/binding...

6. Variations of any/all of the above...

I'll check 4, 5 and 6. Thanks


I'd add to the above list:

The force limit may need to be adjusted on the opener. The ones I've
seen had one for the down force and one for the up force. It's a
safety mechanism to stop the door if it encounters too much
resistance.
If it's set too low, just normal opening could stop it.

I'll check that as well. Thank you

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message
...


Meanie wrote:
Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact,
but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began
to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and
now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the
door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could
be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear
to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you



Hi,
Did they replace only broken one spring? Something is not in alignment.

Both springs were replaced and equal in rotation. It's never a good idea to
replace one side when there are two or more.

On Jun 24, 11:50*am, "Meanie" wrote:
"Tony Hwang" wrote in message

...







Meanie wrote:
Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact,
but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began
to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and
now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the
door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could
be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear
to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

Hi,
Did they replace only broken one spring? Something is not in alignment.

Both springs were replaced and equal in rotation. It's never a good idea to
replace one side when there are two or more.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Are you saying that with the opener completely disconnected from the
door that the door goes up and down the full amount of travel without
any great effort in either direction and no signs of binding during
the complete distance of travel up and down and back up??

"hr(bob) " wrote in message
news:d297d313-cf50-4c41-9b14-

Are you saying that with the opener completely disconnected from the
door that the door goes up and down the full amount of travel without
any great effort in either direction and no signs of binding during
the complete distance of travel up and down and back up??

Correct.

On Jun 24, 2:55*pm, "Meanie" wrote:
"hr(bob) " wrote in message

news:d297d313-cf50-4c41-9b14-

Are you saying that with the opener completely disconnected from the
door that the door goes up and down the full amount of travel without
any great effort in either direction and no signs of binding during
the complete distance of travel up and down and back up??

Correct.

OK - Have you run the opener from one end to the other end of its
travel, in both directions several times? Any hint of binding as the
traveler goes back and forth? Is it a chain drive or a screw drive?
Is the connecting link from the chain/screw traveler to the door
itself well-lubricated, that's easily overlooked.

On Sunday, June 24, 2012 6:43:07 AM UTC-7, Meanie wrote:
Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

Inside your garage door opener, do you have one of these

http://ddmgaragedoors.com/parts/images/OGG-DG1.jpg

that’s busted?


On Sunday, June 24, 2012 6:43:07 AM UTC-7, Meanie wrote:
Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

"hr(bob) " wrote in message
...
On Jun 24, 2:55 pm, "Meanie" wrote:
"hr(bob) " wrote in message

news:d297d313-cf50-4c41-9b14-

Are you saying that with the opener completely disconnected from the
door that the door goes up and down the full amount of travel without
any great effort in either direction and no signs of binding during
the complete distance of travel up and down and back up??

Correct.

OK - Have you run the opener from one end to the other end of its
travel, in both directions several times? Any hint of binding as the
traveler goes back and forth? Is it a chain drive or a screw drive?
Is the connecting link from the chain/screw traveler to the door
itself well-lubricated, that's easily overlooked.

Yes, several times.

No binding.

Chain.

Yes, well lubricated.

Update is following.

wrote in message
...
On Sunday, June 24, 2012 6:43:07 AM UTC-7, Meanie wrote:
Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began
to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and
now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the
door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could
be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear
to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

Inside your garage door opener, do you have one of these

http://ddmgaragedoors.com/parts/images/OGG-DG1.jpg

that’s busted?

Nope, I replaced that and other internal parts the past November. It still
looks good and still well lubricated.

On Jun 24, 9:43*am, "Meanie" wrote:
Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

As suggested by trader4, have you tried to increase the UP force to
see what happens?

An UP force set right at the minimum could cause the door to stop at
different spots depending on temperature, humidity, etc.

I thank you all for your suggestions. I followed all advice and checked
EVERYTHING which was suggested.

Rollers, hinges and other misc moving parts on the door itself are well
lubricated and appear to be in good working order.

Gears, chain, chain sprocket, guide rail, etc. on the opener are also in
good working order, well lubricated.

Two things I did.

1. The "up force" setting has a range in low, medium and high. It was on the
low range about 3/4. I set it to about 3/4 on medium.
2. The up travel limit switch was set far to high. I reset it about an inch
before it hits the end. This eliminated the bouncing/shake effect when fully
opened.

Results: the door is traveling fine thus far. Perhaps it was the force
setting, which I didn't even think about until it was suggested here.
Therefore, that could have been the problem.

Overall, I rechecked the door balance and the bottom of the door at waist
high (two panels vertical and two panels on the curve to horizontal), it
remained in place. At about knee high (three panels vertical and one panel
horizontal), it dropped slowly, but I could get it to stay and pulling
completely open when the last panel is vertical and three are horixontal, it
pulled all the way up.

I try to keep the door well maintained every year and sometimes it still
puzzles me and sometimes I overlook the obvious. Your suggestion help me in
both manners.

Thank you all again. I'll see how it performs from here.

On Jun 24, 6:38*pm, "Meanie" wrote:
I thank you all for your suggestions. I followed all advice and checked
EVERYTHING which was suggested.

Rollers, hinges and other misc moving parts on the door itself are well
lubricated and appear to be in good working order.

Gears, chain, chain sprocket, guide rail, etc. on the opener are also in
good working order, well lubricated.

Two things I did.

1. The "up force" setting has a range in low, medium and high. It was on the
low range about 3/4. I set it to about 3/4 on medium.
2. The up travel limit switch was set far to high. I reset it about an inch
before it hits the end. This eliminated the bouncing/shake effect when fully
opened.

Results: the door is traveling fine thus far. Perhaps it was the force
setting, which I didn't even think about until it was suggested here.
Therefore, that could have been the problem.

Overall, I rechecked the door balance and the bottom of the door at waist
high (two panels vertical and two panels on the curve to horizontal), it
remained in place. At about knee high (three panels vertical and one panel
horizontal), it dropped slowly, but I could get it to stay and pulling
completely open when the last panel is vertical and three are horixontal, it
pulled all the way up.

I try to keep the door well maintained every year and sometimes it still
puzzles me and sometimes I overlook the obvious. Your suggestion help me in
both manners.

Thank you all again. I'll see how it performs from here.

It should be good thru the summer, next winter at zero temps will be
the next testg.

On Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:43:07 -0400, "Meanie" wrote:

Earlier this year (winter), one side of the torsion springs broke on my
garage door. My wife works for a contractor and had one of their garage
contractor replace the springs. A week or so went past before I realized
when the opener would open the door, as it approached the full open
position, the door would shake the mount, opener, etc. as if it had much
force behind it. I decided to check the balance of the doors and set the
tensions of the springs. Everything appears to be balanced and intact, but
was still landing hard at that same spot. Just last week, the door began to
stop midway while opening. When I first noticed it, it would stop about a
foot before fully opened. Then it stopped about midway a few times and now,
it stops after opening about a foot from the ground. If I release the door,
the opener will complete the cycle, but when I reattach the door, the
problem occurs. Therefore, my guess is the door is the cause which could be
binding up, too heavy, etc.. But lifting the door manually doesn't appear to
hang up anywhere and as I stated above, it's balanced. Therefore, I'm
dumbfounded to the cause.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

This just happened to me.

Open the case and examine that big ol' cheesy nylon gear inside that
was probably ripped to shreds trying to open a non-tensioned door.
You'll see little white particles all over the inside if it
self-destructed

Then go to Amazon.com and buy a new one. Heck buy a few, they're cheap
(and cheaply made), and replace it yourself. It's not hard. You can
find instructions on the web.

BTW, dont ever run the opener without lubricating that gear. Dont
ask me how I know.

On Sunday, June 24, 2012 7:38:00 PM UTC-4, Meanie wrote:
I try to keep the door well maintained every year and sometimes it still
puzzles me and sometimes I overlook the obvious. Your suggestion help me in
both manners.

Think maybe the door contractor futzed with the force setting on the door opener after he replaced and adjusted the springs?