What does a garage door spring replacement involve?
A technician makes the door safe, releases any remaining spring tension, fits the new spring, re-tensions it to suit the door, and then checks the cables, rollers and balance. Springs hold a lot of stored energy, so manufacturers such as B&D advise against fixing them yourself.
Why springs matter
A garage door is heavy, and the springs do most of the lifting. They store energy as the door comes down and release it as the door goes up, so a person or a small motor can move it. When a spring breaks, the door can become too heavy to lift by hand, sit crooked, or drop.
B&D, a garage door manufacturer, says a snapped spring "can lead to an imbalanced door or complete operational failure", and that ignoring one risks damage to vehicles, injury to people nearby and harm to other parts of the door.
Signs a spring has gone
- A loud bang from the garage, then a door that won't lift
- A visible gap in the coil of a spring above the door
- A door that suddenly feels much heavier, or only lifts part way
- An opener that strains, stops or reverses
- A door that hangs lower on one side, or a loose cable
If you see any of these, stop using the door and keep people and cars clear of it.
What the technician does
The job depends on the door type:
- Torsion springs (on a bar above many sectional doors): the technician lowers the door, unwinds the remaining tension with proper winding bars, replaces the spring, and rewinds it to suit the door's weight.
- Extension springs (beside the tracks on some sectional and tilt doors): the springs are replaced with the door fully open and secured, and the safety cables that run through them are checked.
- Roller door springs (inside the drum): the curtain is secured, the drum is opened up, and the spring tension is reset after the repair.
On most jobs, the technician then checks the cables, drums, rollers and bottom brackets, and balances the door so it stays put when half open by hand. If an opener is fitted, they test the force settings and safety beams.
On a door with two springs, ask whether the technician recommends replacing one or both, and why.
Why it is not a DIY job
Garage door springs are under high tension. B&D says common faults including broken springs "are serious safety risks, and it's advised against trying to fix them yourself".
Licences and quotes
The QBCC requires a QBCC licence for building work valued over $3,300. Most spring jobs cost less than that, but if your quote includes a new door or other work and goes over, ask for the licence number. If the job needs a new power point for an opener, that has to be done by a licensed electrician. Published price estimates are on the price guide.
Related services
Sources: B&D, garage door repairs and service; QBCC, who must hold a QBCC licence; Electrical Safety Office Queensland, dangerous DIY.
Last checked: 2026-10-30.