Garage door cables have an important role in the operation of a garage doors and their main purpose is to work in alongside with the springs to balance the door weight and to ensure smooth movement.
When you operate your garage door either with an opener or manually the door the cable winds around the cable drum and the counterbalance provided by the springs and the cables prevents the door from crashing down or becoming too heavy to lift.
How do you adjust garage door cables?
Adjusting garage door cables requires caution and expertise to ensure safe and effective operation.
Here’s a basic guide on how to adjust garage door cables:
Disconnect the garage door opener and lock the door in place to prevent accidental movement.
Determine whether the cables need tightening or loosening. Loose cables may result in an imbalanced door while overly tight cables can strain the system both can lead to off track door.
Tightening cables: To tighten the cables locate the cable drum or pulley at the top of the door. Use a wrench to turn the set screws clockwise to tightening the cable. Make sure the tension is balanced on both sides.
Loosening cables: For loosening turn the set screws counterclockwise gradually until the desired tension is achieved.
Test and recheck: Operate the door manually and make sure it moves smoothly.
Adjust as much as needed and always consult a professional if you’re uncertain about it.
Why do garage door cables keep coming off?
Garage door cables can come off because of incorrect tension, track misalignment or damaged rollers.
If the garage door’s springs are not properly balanced it can lead to uneven tension on the cables increasing the chances of them coming off. A significant impact with the garage door such as backing into it with your car can cause the cables to disconnect.
Can I open garage door without cables?
Technically it is possible to open a garage door without cables but it’s not safe and also the door weight will be too heavy to lift and if you try to lift it with your opener it will definitely damage your opener. Garage door cables are integral components for balancing the door and preventing it from crashing down and opening the door without them can lead to off track door and even personal injury.