You press the remote, hear the opener strain, and the door barely moves. Or maybe you heard a loud bang from the garage last night and now the door feels like it weighs a ton. In most Van Nuys homes, that means one thing: a broken garage door spring. Springs do the heavy lifting on every garage door, and when one fails, the whole system stops working the way it should. Here is what Van Nuys homeowners need to know about spring problems, why they happen, and how Metro GDS gets your door moving safely again.
What Your Garage Door Springs Actually Do
A typical two-car garage door can weigh well over 150 pounds. Your opener is not built to lift that weight alone. The springs counterbalance the door so it feels light enough to raise by hand and smooth enough for the opener to move without strain. Most Van Nuys homes have one of two systems:
- Torsion springs sit on a metal shaft above the door opening. They twist as the door closes and unwind to lift it. They are common on newer homes and on many replacement doors installed across the San Fernando Valley.
- Side mount springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side of the door. They stretch as the door closes. You still see them on many older ranch-style homes in Van Nuys, often paired with safety cables that run through the coils.
Both types store a large amount of tension. That stored energy is what makes them useful and also what makes them dangerous when they wear out.
Warning Signs of a Failing Spring
Springs rarely fail without some warning. Watch for these signs:
- A loud bang from the garage with no obvious cause. That is often a torsion spring snapping.
- A visible gap in the coil on a torsion spring, usually a few inches wide.
- The door opens only a few inches and then stops or reverses.
- The door looks crooked as it moves, with one side higher than the other.
- The door slams shut or drops fast when you let go of it halfway.
- Stretched or gapped side mount springs that no longer sit tight along the track.
- Your opener hums or strains but the door does not lift.
If you notice any of these, stop using the door. Running the opener against a broken spring can strip its gears, bend the door panels, or pull cables off their drums.
Why Springs Break in Van Nuys Homes
Every spring is rated for a set number of cycles. One cycle is one open and one close. Standard springs are often rated around 10,000 cycles. A household that uses the garage as its main entrance can open and close the door four or more times a day, which wears through a standard spring in just a few years.
Local conditions add to the wear. Van Nuys sees big swings between hot summer afternoons and cooler nights, and that expansion and contraction stresses steel over time. Dust from the Valley and a lack of lubrication increase friction and lead to rust spots, which are where most cracks begin. Doors that were upgraded to heavier insulated panels without new springs are also common failure points, because the original springs were never sized for the added weight.
Why Spring Repair Is Not a DIY Job
It is tempting to watch a video and try to swap a spring yourself. We strongly recommend against it. A wound torsion spring holds enough force to break bones or cause serious injury if a winding bar slips. Side mount springs without safety cables can whip loose with the same kind of force. Getting the right spring also matters: the wire size, length and inside diameter must match the weight and height of your specific door. A mismatched spring leaves the door unbalanced, wears out the opener and fails early.
Our technicians carry the right tools, winding bars and a wide range of spring sizes on the truck, so the job is done safely and correctly the first time.
How Metro GDS Repairs Garage Door Springs
When you call Metro GDS for garage door spring repair, here is what a typical visit looks like:
- Full inspection. We check both springs, cables, drums, bearings, rollers and tracks. If one spring broke, the other is usually close behind.
- Weigh and measure. We match new springs to your door’s actual weight and size, not just to what was there before.
- Replace in pairs when it makes sense. On two-spring systems, replacing both keeps the door balanced and saves you a second service call.
- Balance and adjust. We set the tension so the door stays put when you release it halfway, then test the opener force and auto-reverse safety.
- Lubricate and tune. Moving parts are lubricated and fasteners tightened, so the whole system runs quietly.
If we find other problems during the inspection, such as frayed cables, worn rollers or a struggling opener, we explain them clearly and let you decide what to do. Our garage door repair team handles the full system, not just springs.
Serving Van Nuys and Nearby Neighborhoods
Metro GDS works across Van Nuys, from the neighborhoods near Van Nuys Airport and Lake Balboa to the streets around Valley Glen and the Sepulveda Basin. Learn more about our local service on our Van Nuys garage door page. We also serve nearby communities, including Sherman Oaks, Encino, North Hollywood and the rest of the San Fernando Valley.
Make Your New Springs Last Longer
- Ask about high-cycle springs if your garage is your main entry. They last much longer than standard springs.
- Spray springs and hinges with a garage door lubricant every few months. Avoid heavy grease, which traps Valley dust.
- Test the balance twice a year: disconnect the opener, lift the door halfway and let go. It should stay in place.
- Schedule a yearly tune-up so small issues are caught before they leave you stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
We do not recommend it. The door is far heavier than normal and can fall suddenly. If your car is stuck inside, call us and we can help get it out safely.
Should I replace both springs if only one broke?
On most two-spring doors, yes. Both springs have done the same number of cycles, so the second one is usually near the end of its life.
How long does a spring repair take?
Most spring replacements are finished in a single visit once the technician is on site.
Get Your Garage Door Working Again
A broken spring is stressful, but it is one of the most common repairs we handle. Metro GDS is rated 5.0 from 294 Google reviews by homeowners across Los Angeles County. If your garage door in Van Nuys will not open, is lifting crooked or slammed shut, reach out today. Request your free estimate and our team will get your door back to safe, smooth operation.