When it comes to spring replacement, it’s generally recommended to change both springs, even if only one is broken. Springs work in pairs to maintain balance and stability—if one fails, the other is likely worn and may fail soon after. Replacing just one can lead to uneven ride height, a rougher driving experience, and extra stress on new components. Many manufacturers and repair shops advise replacing both springs to ensure the vehicle remains safe and balanced. For older or high-mileage cars, matched springs are key to keeping rides smooth and steering responsive. Below are practical tips and key facts to help make an informed decision about spring replacement.
Key Takeaways
- By replacing both garage door springs simultaneously, you promote balanced operation and minimize the chances of unexpected failures.
- Both springs endure similar stress and cycles, so replacing only one can cause early failure of the other.
- A balanced door is a door that works more safely and better, putting less strain on your opener and causing fewer safety hazards.
- If it’s not conducive to your schedule, replacing both springs while the tech is already there tends to be cheaper overall and means fewer return maintenance calls.
- Professionals and OEMs alike usually advise replacing both springs to preserve system integrity and warranty coverage.
- A little bit of regular preventative maintenance goes a long way.
Why Replace Both Springs?
Replacing Both Springs – Sure, one door spring might be broken, but why do you want to wait for the other one to fail? Because springs split the load, their wear and tear equalize over time. When one goes, the other is probably not far behind. An unbalanced tension can put undue stress on your door system, causing additional repairs or safety issues.
Benefits of replacing both springs:
- Ensures even tension and smooth movement
- Reduces the risk of sudden breakdowns
- Saves money on repeat service calls
- Improves door safety and reliability
- Helps avoid costly future repairs
1. Matched Lifespan
Both springs on your garage door cooperate with each open and close cycle. That’s why they experience the same number of cycles—typically about 10,000 apiece—so their life span is nearly equal.
If you replace a single spring, the new spring operates in conjunction with an aging, fatigued spring. This mismatch can cause the old spring to break soon after, resulting in another repair. Paired springs maintain your garage door’s smooth operation and prevent performance drop-offs or wobbles.
2. Balanced Operation
Well-balanced springs are key for smooth, safe use. Two new springs keep the door moving balanced and prevent the opener from over-exerting itself.
If you keep one old spring around, your door can slip out of balance. That strains the opener motor and may cause the door to move lopsidedly or get stuck. Some routine inspections and two new springs keep things on track and your door alive.
A balanced system keeps the door from going off track or sticking — troubles that cause more headaches and bigger repair bills later on.
3. System Integrity
Springs do the grunt work—they counterbalance the entire weight of your garage door. If one is new, the system is weaker and more likely to fall apart.
Replacing both springs at the same time ensures that your door operates correctly. You won’t have one side working harder, which guards against additional wear and tear and keeps things balanced for a longer period. Maintaining the integrity of the system sound prevents surprise repairs and keeps your door safe.
4. Future Savings
By installing two new springs now, you’re saving yourself from another repair soon. You save yourself a second service call, extra labor, and emergency fees. Fewer breakdowns and fewer service calls = more money back in your pocket! Because repairing both at the same time saves you money, the price of replacing BOTH springs is often less than the price of two individual repairs.
Being proactive now saves you time and money later.
5. Enhanced Safety
Two functional springs make the door secure to operate. A fatigued or unbalanced spring can break at any moment, which is dangerous.
Balanced springs reduce the risk of harm to you or your garage. Old springs under tension can snap and injure you.
Safety first – replace both springs for peace of mind.
How Garage Door Springs Work
Garage door springs, whether torsion or extension springs, carry the heavy burden of lifting and lowering your garage door, which typically weighs over 300 pounds. When functioning correctly, even a small amount of force is sufficient to operate the door. However, if a garage door spring breaks, it can lead to an unbalanced garage door, causing it to jam or become crooked.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs, found above the garage door, twist to store energy and unwind to lower the door. These springs are essential for heavy-duty doors, such as double-wide garage doors, which typically require two springs for optimal performance. When you open the door, the wound-up spring unwinds, delivering the necessary lifting force for such a significant load. Regular garage door spring repairs are crucial, as torsion springs tend to last the longest and can endure more cycles, with one cycle being the door’s complete opening and closing.
Even if two springs are installed at the same time, one can break before the other. If you only replace the broken spring, the remaining old spring endures extra strain, leading to premature failure. Therefore, replacing both springs is advisable, ensuring a balanced garage door and extending the life expectancy of your garage door components.
Extension Springs
Extension springs are typically for smaller, lighter doors. They lie along the sides of the door and extend when it closes. When you open the door, they contract, assisting in lifting the load. One spring is used on single garage doors, nd two springs are used on double doors.
It’s recommended to replace extension springs in pairs. If you change just one, the door may lift unevenly and cause additional problems. Old springs can lose their tension, causing the door to be heavy or difficult to open. Using old or mismatched springs could endanger yourself or your family, as the door may move or fall without notice.
Spring Tension And Performance
Proper spring tension ensures your garage door glides open and shut.|3|4. If tension is off, the opener works harder and parts wear out faster.
Springs fatigue from usage, weather, and time. So when one spring breaks, the other is often not very far behind.
The Dangers Of Imbalance
An imbalance in your garage door can lead to serious safety concerns and costly repairs. If a garage door spring breaks and only that spring is replaced, it results in uneven weight distribution, causing your door to operate sluggishly and deteriorate more rapidly. This can lead to issues with garage door spring repairs and longevity.
- Jerky door movement or track misalignment
- Extra strain on the opener motor
- Higher risk of accidents or sudden failures
- Damage to the door, walls, or nearby vehicles
- Increased repair costs over time
Uneven Wear
If your garage door has 1 new spring and 1 old, the wear isn’t equal. The older spring is already extended, and the new one assumes additional tasks. This mismatch causes more rapid wear on springs and other door components. Over time, this unbalanced load can cause components to fail much earlier than anticipated, which translates to increased repair or replacement costs.
Staying aware of your spring conditions aids. If you detect uneven wear early, you can correct the situation before it aggravates. Replacing both springs at the same time keeps wear balanced, which prolongs your door’s life and saves you trouble later on.
Opener Strain
If your door is unbalanced, the opener needs to put in extra effort to open it. This additional work can result in the motor consuming more power, which increases your bills. Over time, the opener’s components degrade more quickly. This can cause a complete breakdown of your opener, frequently prior to its expected lifespan.
Deal with spring problems immediately. Addressing springs when they first exhibit trouble may assist you in sidestepping larger, more expensive fixes to your opener.
When the opener motor gives out, you’ll be stuck trying to manually lift the heavy, uneven door — dangerous and a pain.
Door Damage
Unbalanced doors can warp or scrape on the floor as they swing. This stress can cause dents and scratches or even bend the frame. When the door doesn’t swing freely, it can bonk against walls or scratch other objects, wrecking more than just itself.
In the long term, you jeopardize the entire door system going out of line, which is expensive to repair. Spring replacement keeps your door working right and your property safe.
Safety Risk
An unbalanced door can drop without warning.
Broken or weak springs can snap and cause injury.
Both springs need to be strong for safe use.
Fix spring issues before they become accidents.
The “Good” Spring’s True State
It’s the ‘Good’ Spring’s true state – if one still works, why rush to change the broken garage door spring? Even if a spring seems okay, that doesn’t mean it’s secure or dependable. Both springs have the same workload, age, and risk of failure. A thorough inspection of each garage door spring is the only way to know its true condition and prevent unexpected downtime or safety hazards.
Identical Age
Most garage door springs, whether torsion or extension springs, are installed simultaneously, sharing the same age and wear. This means both springs have endured the same years of hard work, even if only one break occurs at the moment. By relying on an old spring during a garage door spring repair, you’re inviting a second breakdown that could lead to costly repairs or even safety concerns. When planning a replacement, consider the age and condition of both springs, as even an intact spring can be a red flag if it’s significantly worn.
Equal Cycles
Springs on the same door or axle experience virtually identical cycles—when you open or close, both bend and unbend. Over decades, these cycles compound, leading to potential garage door spring breaks. If one spring breaks, the other is probably just as worn out and could quit any time as well. For instance, a few have monitored their garage door usage and discovered both springs expired within weeks of each other. Steady operation is the result of uniform tread, so spring repairs on both simultaneously safeguard you against surprise issues and maintain your vehicle’s equilibrium.
Metal Fatigue
Metal fatigue occurs when metal is flexed back and forth, compromising its strength and potentially leading it to snap, even if it appears fine. Garage door springs, which are tensed up and endure plenty of flexing, are particularly susceptible to this type of deterioration. Many people have checked their garage door springs, believed they were okay, and then faced issues when the garage door spring breaks. Seasonal inspections can identify cracks or stretched coils early, but once you notice signs of fatigue, it’s time to install new garage door springs for safety.
Imminent Failure
A ‘good’ garage door spring may be on the verge of snapping. They frequently fail unexpectedly, and the price for a broken garage door spring can be steep. Changing out both springs is an easy way to avoid costly repairs. Proactive checks—at least yearly—help catch garage door spring repairs before they turn into bigger problems.
Cost Versus Long-Term Value
If you consider garage door spring replacement, the up-front cost is only half of the equation. You also need to think about how this choice affects the long-term value of your door system, especially regarding the average life expectancy of garage door springs. Considering both the topline costs and the larger perspective ensures you steer clear of unexpected expenses, additional trips, and costly repairs later on.
Option | Upfront Cost (USD) | Long-Term Savings | Repair Frequency | Downtime/Disruption |
Single Spring Replace | $150–$400 | Low | Higher | More frequent |
Double Spring Replace | $300–$800+ | High | Lower | Rare |
Single Repair Cost
One broken garage door spring will cost you somewhere between $150 and $400 to replace. This may appear to be the best bargain if you just want to repair one spring right now. The majority of springs are around for 7-15 years. When one breaks, the other is typically nearing its expiration date as well.
If you just replace the broken spring, that older spring may break shortly afterwards. That is, you’ll have to pay for another service call, more parts, and labor. It all adds up. Over time, repeated single repairs can easily add up to hundreds or even thousands more than a one-time double spring replacement.
It’s easy to forget how quickly these costs accumulate until you monitor them. Every additional repair equates to more cost, more inconvenience, and more lost time for your garage door.
Double Repair Cost
Number of Springs | Estimated Cost (USD) |
One | $150–$400 |
Two | $300–$800+ |
Replacing both garage door springs at the same time can be more expensive upfront, typically between $300 and $800. However, this step significantly reduces the risk of a broken garage door spring later on, which can lead to costly repairs. By addressing both springs simultaneously, you avoid the potential of the second spring breaking shortly after the first, minimizing emergency calls and long-term expenses.
There’s the advantage of fewer service calls as well. You won’t need to accommodate multiple service visits in your hectic schedule, and your garage door will operate seamlessly for years to come.
Costing a little more upfront frequently pays for itself in genuine savings and peace of mind.
Labor Efficiency
Replacing both springs simultaneously expedites the process and makes the job go smoother for your technician, which means one visit, one setup, and less time on site.
You won’t be stuck waiting for yet another fix if the second spring snaps down the line. Less interruption to your day, and your garage door remains in balance and safe.
Fewer repair trips equals less stress and fewer interruptions. You can resume your normal schedule more quickly.
Labor efficiency is a time- and money-saver, so it’s a smart play for the majority of homeowners.
Professional Assessment And Warranty
An expert inspection of your garage door springs is essential for secure operation and an extended lifespan of the garage door system. Professionals see beyond just a broken garage door spring; they check for issues like worn cables, rusty tracks, or the wrong spring type, all of which can lead to serious problems. By opting for garage door spring repairs and replacing both springs at once, you can avoid sudden breakdowns, as most springs have a life of approximately 10,000 cycles or 7 to 9 years.
Technician’s View
Every garage door repair technician will advise you to replace both springs, especially if one is a broken garage door spring. This is because garage door springs function similarly and wear out at the same rate. If you replace just one, the other could break shortly afterward, leading to costly repairs. A pro will also check to see if the garage door tracks are rusty or if the cables are loose—both of which can cause serious issues. Relying on their expert garage door services ensures that your system remains secure and operates smoothly.
Manufacturer’s Stance
Most manufacturers recommend replacing both springs simultaneously. It’s not only to keep things balanced, but it’s also for protection and quality. They put these tips in their guides so your door operates as it should and to protect you. Skip their advice, and you could void your warranty. Always check what the manufacturer states before initiating a fix. It can save you aggravation later on.
Warranty Implications
When you swap out a single spring, it’s crucial to note that your warranty may not apply down the road. Most warranties require compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions, which typically means replacing both springs. Ignoring this step can lead to costly garage door spring repairs, resulting in all repairs being out of your pocket. Always check your warranty to understand what is covered for peace of mind.
Conclusion
You save yourself time and stress down the road by replacing both springs, not just the one that broke. New springs pair up and keep your door operating smoothly. Your door opens level – less wear on every moving part. You avoid shock expenses and reduce the danger of an unexpected breakdown immediately following a repair. A pro can inspect both springs, identify concealed wear, and provide a rock-solid warranty. You get peace of mind, not a band-aid. For most people, this is a good decision that recompenses immediately and maintains your environment secure. Ready to tame your garage door! Contact your trusted local expert for a quick once-over and straightforward guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should You Replace Both Garage Door Springs If Only One Is Broken?
Yes. Installing two new torsion springs will guarantee your safety, as broken garage door springs can create uneven tension that jeopardizes your garage door opener and leads to costly repairs.
2. What Happens If You Only Replace One Spring?
Replacing one spring can be detrimental as it leads to an unbalanced garage door, straining your opener, and potentially causing premature wear or safety concerns with the garage door components.
3. Do Garage Door Springs Wear Out At The Same Time?
Typically, yes. Garage door springs function as a pair and face the same cycles. If one breaks, the other’s not far behind, even if it looks pristine.
4. Can I Replace Garage Door Springs Myself?
I don’t think so. Garage door spring replacement is dangerous without the proper equipment and expertise. Certified professionals ensure the correct spring is installed, providing peace of mind and preserving your warranty.
5. How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
Garage door springs typically have an average life expectancy of 7,000–10,000 cycles, which translates to about 7–10 years with frequent use and proper care.
6. Will Replacing Both Springs Save Money In The Long Run?
Yes. Performing garage door spring repairs and maintenance simultaneously dramatically lowers your risk of impending repairs, sidesteps the dreaded emergency call, and can increase the life cycle of your garage door system.
7. Does Replacing Both Springs Affect My Warranty?
Most pro services will replace both springs during garage door spring repairs for the warranty. Regardless, always consult your installer and save your paperwork for subsequent claims.
Yes—Get Balanced, Long-Lasting Performance With A Dual Spring Replacement
If one garage door spring has broken, don’t wait for the other to fail—because it will. Both springs work together and wear out together. Replacing them as a pair ensures safe, even tension and extends the lifespan of your entire garage door system. You’ll save time, money, and avoid the hassle of a second service call just weeks later. At Bay Area Doors, we offer custom garage door spring solutions designed for reliability, efficiency, and peace of mind. Our professional technicians are ready to inspect, replace, and restore balance to your door with same-day service options available.
We’ll find the cause and prevent it from happening again—call for same-day service now. Visit Bay Area Doors Custom Garage Door Solutions or contact us directly to book your service today.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Garage door spring replacement involves high-tension components that can cause serious injury or property damage if handled improperly. Always use appropriate safety gear and tools, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Bay Area Doors recommends consulting or hiring a licensed professional for any garage door spring repair or replacement. By using this information, you agree to assume all risks associated with DIY repairs and hold Bay Area Doors harmless from any liability or damages resulting from its use.
