Garage door cables are vital parts of the roller system, as they make sure that your garage door is working smoothly and quietly. And if you think about it, you’ll realize that they make your life easier too – after all, who doesn’t like a garage door that silently and smoothly operates?
Read this article thoroughly to know every step about how to adjust garage door cables.
What does the Garage Door Cable Do Anyway?
Garage door cables are installed to make sure that garage doors effortlessly open and close. They stretch from either end of the rollers and attach to the spring system. And that’s not all – they also stop garage doors from swaying and keep them open when you need them to. You need to know the following parameters of your garage door in order to understand how to adjust garage door cables
Cable Sizes
Garage door cables come in different sizes – usually, there’s a 40-inch cable for each roller. But if your door is too heavy, you might need two 40-inch cables for each roller. Also, please bear in mind that the garage door cable you choose should match the weight of your door. You can find out about the maximum allowable load by checking out the chart located on this page .
Types of Garage Door Cables
There are three different types of garage door cables. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
Regular or ‘piano’ cables have a special pulley that attaches to the bottom roller. They’re usually made from steel and come wrapped in a protective sleeve. These cables run through a track located on the ceiling of the garage.
The second type of cable is called torsion cable. It’s very similar to the regular cable, but it has a special bracket that allows you to adjust how much torsion force your door uses during operation.
You probably guessed it – they’re installed on torsion springs, which are responsible for opening and closing your garage door.
Last but not least, we have extension cables – they’re the same as regular cables, but longer. They’re used on extension springs, which have a long winding pole that runs along the ground.
Problems of Garage Door Cables
The most common problem with garage door cables is when they break. This can happen either because they were damaged or because you bought inferior quality ones in the first place.
However, there are other problems that can occur with these cables too. These are very essential to understand while learning about how to adjust garage door cables. Here are some examples:
If you don’t adjust garage door cables correctly, your roller system will start to squeak. This might also cause the door to move out of alignment and become difficult to open or close.
And if you leave it like that, your garage door cables might break and the noise will become unbearable.
The Right Length of A Garage Door Cable
Let’s now take a look at what you need to do if garage door cables are too long or too short for your rollers:
If your garage door cables are too long
You’ll need to shorten them if they are too long. In order to do that, use a hacksaw and make sure you cut them evenly. Next, make sure your cables are exactly the same length – if they’re not, repeat the process. Finally, put on some new garage door cable sleeves and make sure everything looks good.
If your garage door cables are too short
Get a pair of pliers and remove the clips that attach the cable sleeves to the rollers. Now, carefully pull one side of the cable until it’s exactly as long as it needs to be – don’t forget to put on a new garage door cable sleeve! Repeat this process with your other cable and make sure everything looks like it should.
Steps of How to Adjust Garage Door Cables
The first step is to determine which cables are too long or too short. If they’re not, then you don’t have any problems yet.
If you did find out that your garage door cables are the problem, then the next thing you need to do is remove old cable sleeves. It’s important to note that you should cut the cables evenly – this will allow for the best results.
After that, you need to attach each cable to its corresponding bracket. Then, you need to tighten all of them up using the adjusting bolt located on the bottom roller. Finally, check your garage door cables to make sure they’re evenly adjusted – if not, fix this by loosening each cable one by one.
How to Adjust Garage Door Cables: Role of A Professional
If you’d rather not deal with this problem on your own, it’s best to hire a professional. They’ll do everything for you in no time and you won’t have to worry about anything.
Also, keep in mind that garage door cables can be different lengths on each side of the roller – that’s why it’s important to check if they’re the problem before calling someone. And if you’d rather not deal with this situation at all, don’t hesitate to call an expert because they know how to adjust garage door cables professionally.
QAs
Q: I have a cable that’s too short, but my other cable is fine. Can I fix this myself?
A: Yes, you can – all you have to do is double the cable and attach them securely using a clip.
Q: Can garage door cables get too long?
A: Yes, they can – if this happens, you’ll need to shorten them.
Q: Can garage door cables be different lengths on the two sides of the roller?
A: Yes, they can – that’s why it’s important to check them first before calling someone to fix the problem.
Q: How do I know if my garage door cables are damaged?
A: You won’t be able to tell if they are damaged by looking at them unless you have the knowledge about how to adjust garage door cables. You can determine this by checking the inside of your garage door. If you notice that there are deep marks everywhere, then it’s most likely because your cables are way too short.
