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Posted by Pop` on May 9, 2007, 11:01 am
Goedjn wrote:
> On Mon, 7 May 2007 18:59:52 -0700, "CWLee"
>
>>
>> I'm the original poster. I need to clarify the type of
>> garage door I have. It is for a double garage, and it is
>> one large panel, about 6'6" x 18'. It is constructed of 2 x
>> 4s and sheet plywood. On each side of the door there is a
>> bracket that hinges on hardware that is attached to the wall
>> next to the door opening.
>>
>> When the door is closed the springs are stretched. When the
>> door is opened they contract. In the past when one of the
>> springs has broken I have held the door open using a 6'
>> ladder. Then I have released the safety catch, and the
>> broken spring came off very easily. When I attached the new
>> spring I had to stretch it perhaps an inch or so for it to
>> hook, and then I would re-install the safety catch.
>>
>> I recently repaired the door by replacing some water soaked
>> crumbling areas with fresh, slightly thicker plywood. This
>> makes the door a little bit heavier, so that when it is in
>> the full up/open position it is not quite horizontal as it
>> was before. What I want to do now is, one side at a time,
>> is disconnect the two springs, and then move the metal
>> harness into which they fit, into the next hole. (There are
>> five adjustment holes provided, and mine is in the middle
>> one, so I can go two steps in either direction.) Then when
>> I reconnect the springs they will be stretched a bit more,
>> and thus pull the door up a bit farther.
>>
>> The only track involved is part of the automatic garage door
>> opener, and I don't think it is relevant to my problem.
>> (But, I could be wrong, and I'm here to learn not argue.)
>>
>> So, with that additional clarification, what do suggest for
>> a tool or device to stretch the springs that my 75 year old
>> muscles can't handle? :-)
>
>
> I recomend a nephew. Failing that, you need some alternative
> way to open and close the door. (Maybe a come-along attached
> to the back wall of the garage?)
>
> Close the door part way, and shove sticks (wood shingle, bits
> of clapboard, or parts of a pallet) into the coils of the spring.
> Open the door all the way, and brace it. Move the springs.
> Un-brace-the door, lower it, and take the sticks out.
THAT is a decent idea! I'd never have thought of that in a million years!!
I had those doors when we lived in Chgo so am familiar with them but haven't
had any good ideas for this poster. I ended up useing threaded eye-hooks
for the springs. Loop the spring over it, lug the nuts until it cinched up
where I needed it. Those springs were bears to stretch and get positioned,
plus it was a low-clearance installation and a bit_h to reach things when
the door was up.
A few pieces of wood to keep the springs partially extended would have
worked wonders - good thinking.
Pop`
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