Quick Answer: Should You Replace a Garage Door Spring Yourself?

In most cases, no. Springs are under heavy torque/tension. One slip with the wrong tool, an incorrect number of turns, or a loose set screw can cause the spring or bar to release violently.

If you’re in the South Shore or Greater Boston area and want a safe fix, start here: Residential Garage Door Services in Braintree, MA (our main local hub page).

Common Signs You Have a Broken Garage Door Spring

• Loud bang from the garage (often sounds like something fell)
• Door won’t open or opens only a few inches
• Door feels extremely heavy when lifting manually
• Opener strains, hums, or reverses
• You see a gap in a torsion spring above the door
• Cables look slack or the door lifts crooked

If any of this is happening, the safest move is to stop operating the door and schedule service: Garage Door Spring Repair in Braintree, MA.

Why DIY Spring Repair Is Risky (Especially With Torsion Springs)

Garage door springs aren’t like swapping a hinge or tightening a bolt. Springs are designed to counterbalance a door that can weigh 100–300+ lbs. When you adjust or remove them, you’re working against stored energy.

Top DIY Mistakes We See in Braintree Area Homes

• Using screwdrivers instead of winding bars (common and extremely unsafe)
• Incorrect spring sizing (door won’t balance, opener gets damaged)
• Uneven winding on two-spring systems (crooked door + cable issues)
• Ignoring worn bearings/drums/cables that caused the spring failure
• Re-running the opener while the door is unbalanced (burns out motors/gears)

If your door is stuck, off-track, or binding, you may need more than springs—start with a full inspection: Garage Door Repair Near Braintree, MA.

What You Can Do Safely (While You Wait for a Technician)

Here are safe steps homeowners in Braintree and the South Shore can take without touching spring tension:

1. Stop using the opener to avoid damaging the motor and rails.
2. If the door is closed, keep it closed.
3. If the door is open and you must secure the opening, keep people/vehicles clear and call a pro for the safest next step.
4. Take photos (inside view of the springs + full door). This helps speed up quoting and correct spring matching.

For faster help, call/text: 857-209-6904 or visit our main local page: Lynoka Garage Door Services (Braintree, MA).

Torsion vs. Extension Springs (And Why It Matters)

Most Massachusetts homes around Braintree use either:

• Torsion springs mounted above the door on a shaft (most common on newer installs)
• Extension springs along the horizontal tracks (more common on older setups)

Spring type affects the repair approach, the parts needed, and the balance test afterwards. If you’re not sure what you have, don’t guess—send photos and we’ll confirm.

If you already know you have torsion springs, this page explains the proper service option: Garage Door Torsion Spring Replacement.

How a Proper Spring Replacement Should Be Done

A professional spring service typically includes more than “swap the spring.” We verify the full system:

• Correct spring sizing for your door weight and height
• Balance test (door should stay mid-travel without drifting)
• Cable/drum inspection and reset (especially if the door lifted crooked)
• Bearing and bracket check
• Opener force/limit check + safety sensor test
• Hardware and track inspection to reduce repeat failures

For homeowners who want a local specialist, our Braintree team handles springs and full-system repairs: Braintree Garage Door Repair Company.

DIY vs. Professional Spring Repair in Braintree, MA

DIY can look cheaper at first—but incorrect sizing, damaged hardware, or a burned-out opener can quickly cost more than a proper repair. If your door is your main entry (common in South Shore homes), you also want it fixed fast and safely.

When to Call Right Away

• Door is stuck open or halfway open
• Door is crooked or off-track
• You see frayed cables or loose cables
• Opener is straining, smoking, or making grinding noises

Not sure if you’re in our coverage area? See our Massachusetts service areas.

Book Spring Repair (Braintree + South Shore)

If you suspect a broken spring, don’t gamble with DIY winding. Lynoka Garage Door Services is based in Braintree and serves the South Shore and Eastern MA.

Call/Text: 857-209-6904
Or schedule through our service hub: Residential Garage Door Services Braintree, MA

Prefer local pages? Start here: Garage Door Repair in Boston or explore nearby town service pages from our homepage.

Tip: If you want the fastest quote, text a photo of your door (outside + inside spring area) and tell us if it’s stuck open or closed.