It’s probably the part of a garage door that no one ever thinks about and probably one of the most important parts, as well. So, what is a garage door cable and what can one do to repair it, if it’s damaged or broken?

A garage door cable, also called a safety cable, is a strong, metal wire cable that is attached to the garage door and winds up and down as it is opened or closed. These are there to ensure that the springs don’t fly off and hurt someone should one of them break. 

So, how does someone repair it if it’s damaged or broken? First, realize that these are a part of the garage door system that can cause a lot of damage if improperly repaired. This sort of damage isn’t limited to property, but can harm people as well. That’s why it’s best to have a professional come in and make a garage door cable repair rather than attempt to do so, oneself.

For those who have the necessary background in these kinds of repairs and take all of the required precautions, here is how to fix a broken garage door cable:

First, ensure to have vice grips, winding bars, wrenches, and a ladder handy as they will be required to do the job properly. Next, take a few measurements of the garage door to make sure that the right cable can be required. Most are about an eighth of an inch in width, but this can vary according to the door. Associates at the hardware store can aid in making this determination.

Once the proper cable has been attained, secure the springs with the winding bars. Then remove the bottom bracket from the door track. After that, the new coil can be installed after the old one has been removed. Replace the bracket and make sure the new cable is secure in the roller. 

Check the cable to ensure that it’s free of any obstructions and then loosen its screws until it’s possible to spin the drum. This can be difficult to do, but it is required. A lubricant can help to make the drum spin easily. If that doesn’t work, a light tap with a hammer can also loosen it and make it spin better. Insert the cable into the drum and then slowly wind it around it until the cable is fully in place.

At this point, release the winding bars and have someone raise and lower the door slowly. Watch carefully from a safe point to ensure that the new cable is working the way it should. Repeat this a few more times to make absolutely sure that everything is working the way it should be before using an automatic car door opener.

Once again, before considering making a garage door cable repair, remember that it is best to hire a business that does garage door cable repairs to do the job instead. They are professionals and they know how dangerous a job it can be. 

Robert Spurr