Springs, not the opener, do the lifting on a garage door. They also wear out on a schedule — every open and close is one cycle off a finite life.
Early warning signs
- The door feels much heavier than it used to when lifted by hand
- It will not stay put at waist height with the opener disconnected
- The opener strains, hesitates or lifts the door only a few inches
- The door slams the last foot instead of settling gently
- Visible rust, gaps or stretched sections in the coil
Why both springs get replaced
On a paired system both springs have completed the same number of cycles. Replacing only the broken one leaves a worn partner that typically fails within months, and an uneven door in the meantime.
High-cycle springs
If your garage door is the family's main entrance, a heavier-gauge high-cycle spring costs a little more up front and lasts considerably longer. It is worth asking about at quote stage.