How To Fix A Garage Door Spring
Royal Garage Doors is rated 5.0 from 500+ reviews, with 15 years in business and technicians averaging 12 years of hands-on experience installing and repairing doors across Toronto and the wider GTA.
How do you fix a garage door spring?
How to fix a garage door spring: match the exact wire size and length, release the old spring’s tension safely, fit the new one, and re-wind it to balance the door. It is the most dangerous repair — never DIY it. Royal Garage Doors does it for $280–$460 + tax.
Can I really not do this myself?
Technically the steps are known, but a wound torsion spring can release violently and cause severe hand and face injuries. Without winding bars, the right replacement spring, and experience, the
- Rating
- 5.0★ from 500+ verified Google reviews
- Experience
- 15 years in business across the GTA
- Warranty
- Workmanship guarantee; 5 years on hardware, 90 days follow-up
- Author
- Nick Thompson, Founder & Lead Technician
Why this is the one job to leave to a pro
A torsion spring is wound to hold the door’s full weight — often 60–200 lbs. Released or wound incorrectly it can whip free with enough force to break bones. Garage door springs are consistently the leading cause of serious DIY garage door injuries. We include this how-to for understanding, but strongly recommend a trained technician.
How a spring repair actually works
- Identify the system — torsion vs extension; measure wire size, length, inside diameter.
- Secure & release tension — clamp the door, unwind with steel winding bars.
- Replace — remove the old spring, fit the matched new spring(s) and bearing.
- Wind to spec — exact turn count for the door height, lock set screws.
- Balance & test — half-lift hold, auto-reverse, smooth travel.
Getting the replacement spring right
Four measurements define the spring: wire diameter, inside diameter, length and wind direction. A mismatch leaves the door heavy or light, overworks the opener, and shortens spring life. This precision is a big reason DIY attempts often fail. More background in our broken spring guide.
Cost vs risk
Professional replacement is $280–$460 + tax with a balance check and warranty — modest against an ER visit or a wrongly-sized spring that fails in months. See the breakdown in our spring repair cost guide.
Royal Garage Doors recommendation
Book a same-day technician for spring work. Go to spring repair in Toronto, review costs, or call our emergency line if your vehicle is trapped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really not do this myself?
Technically the steps are known, but a wound torsion spring can release violently and cause severe hand and face injuries. Without winding bars, the right replacement spring, and experience, the risk far outweighs the savings.
What tools are required?
Proper steel winding bars (not screwdrivers), vise grips/clamps, sockets, and an accurately matched spring. Using the wrong tools is exactly how people get hurt.
How do I find the right replacement spring?
You need four numbers: wire diameter, inside diameter, length, and wind direction. Getting any wrong leaves the door unbalanced and the spring fails early — a technician measures these in minutes.
Should I replace one spring or both?
Both, on a two-spring door. Matched springs wear together; a single new spring next to a worn one fails sooner and unbalances the door.
How much does professional spring repair cost?
$280 + tax for a single torsion spring and $320–$460 for a double set — parts, labour and balance check included, with a free service call.
Sources & standards: Garage door safety follows the UL 325 standard for automatic operators, and our technicians are certified by the International Door Association (IDEA). Pricing reflects current Royal Garage Doors rates for the GTA.
The bottom line: done right, the result is a garage door that opens quietly, balances correctly and is safe to use every day — backed by Royal's 1-year labour warranty so the outcome lasts.
