How to Rewind a Garage Door Spring with Proper Tension

Published Date: Nov 10, 2025

A smoothly working garage door relies on its springs, but when they lose tension or become unbalanced, your door can feel heavy or even unsafe. Since these springs are under high pressure, adjusting them comes with serious risk, and it’s often safest to leave the job to professionals. That said, let’s learn how to rewind a garage door spring, so you know what to expect or what to watch for if you ever face this issue.

Garage Door Spring Safety: What to Do Before You Start

Before you even think about how to rewind a garage door spring, staying safe is the absolute top priority. Garage door springs, whether they’re the torsion kind or extension springs, are under significant tension. They store so much power that they can cause serious injuries if not handled correctly. Due to this danger, many homeowners wisely choose to hire professionals.

If you do attempt it, always wear safety glasses and tough gloves. Make sure the garage door is fully closed, unplug the opener, and keep kids and pets at a safe distance. If you’re unsure about any step or don’t feel confident proceeding, stop right away. It’s better to call in support than risk your safety.

Step-by-Step: How to Wind Garage Door Springs

Before you begin, identify what kind of springs your garage door uses. Torsion springs are mounted above the door, while extension springs run along the sides of the door. This guide focuses on how to wind garage door springs with a torsion setup.

You’ll need a set of winding bars — special tools designed for this job, available at most hardware stores. However, keep in mind that even with the right tools, working on these springs can lead to serious injury.

Step-by-Step: How to Wind Garage Door Springs

Get the Spring Ready: Stick a winding bar into one of the holes on the cone at the end of the garage door spring.
Apply Initial Tension: Use the bar to gently lift the spring a bit, then start turning it up a quarter-turn at a time. Make sure you know which way to wind the garage door spring before you begin. Typically, it’s clockwise on the left and counterclockwise on the right. Most home garage doors need about 7 to 9 quarter-turns of tension, depending on the door’s weight and size. Refer to your door’s manual or consult a technician if you’re unsure.
Put in the Second Bar: After you finish a quarter-turn, put the second winding bar into the next open hole to hold the tension. Then, carefully take out the first bar while keeping the second in place.
Keep Going: Keep repeating this, switching winding bars, until you reach the correct number of turns your door needs.

How to Wind a Double Spring Garage Door

If you have two torsion springs, the winding process is pretty much the same as for one, but with one important difference. To correctly follow how to wind a double spring garage door, you must apply the same number of turns to each spring. This keeps the door evenly balanced and prevents stress on one side of the mechanism.

Once each spring is wound, tighten the set screws on the winding cone to secure the spring to the torsion shaft. Finally, double-check that both sides are even before testing the door.

How to Test and Adjust Garage Door Spring Tension

After you’ve wound the springs, gently test how your garage door balances. Disconnect the opener and lift the door by hand to about your waist height. It should stay put without dropping or flying up. If it sags, it needs a bit more tension; if it shoots up, it’s got too much.

Make small, quarter-turn tweaks until the door sits perfectly balanced. Knowing how to adjust a garage door spring properly helps the door operate smoothly and reduces wear on your opener. If you find it tough to get the balance just right, or if the door still feels off, the experts at 24H Garage Doors can fine-tune it safely and efficiently.

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Summing Up

Rewinding a garage door spring is a tricky and potentially risky job. While this article explains the basics of how to rewind a garage door spring, working with high-tension springs should never be taken lightly. If you’re unsure, lack the right tools, or are dealing with a broken spring, attempting the repair yourself can lead to serious injury or further damage.

For reliable and safe garage door spring service, including adjustments and replacements, contact the experts at 24H Garage Doors. We’re here to keep your garage door running safely and smoothly, so you can relax.

When your garage door spring breaks, replacing it yourself might sound like a good way to save a few bucks. After all, springs are just springs, right? Not exactly. Garage door springs, whether they are torsion or extension, are under immense pressure. They’re what make your garage door feel like it weighs 20 pounds instead of 200. Mishandle it, and it can go from a fix-it project to a serious hazard. That’s why this guide exists — to give you a clear, safe understanding of how to install a garage door spring and, more importantly, to help you know when it’s time to call trained technicians at 24H Garage Doors.

How to Fix a Garage Door Spring Without Causing Damage

Tempted to handle that broken garage door spring yourself? It might seem like a quick fix, but it’s actually one of the most dangerous garage repairs you can take on. Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager, or contractor, knowing the risks can help you avoid injury and expensive mistakes. In this guide, 24H Garage Doors explains how to fix garage door springs safely and when it’s best to call a trained professional.

How Many Turns on a Garage Door Spring: Expert Insights for Homeowners

If your garage door feels heavy, moves unevenly, or makes unusual noises, the garage door springs are often the reason. A common question we hear from homeowners is how many turns on a garage door spring are needed for the door to work right. While it’s a good question about how your door operates, trying to adjust these powerful parts yourself can be extremely risky. In this article, 24H Garage Doors shares why these springs are so important and why their proper setup always calls for professional help.