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danauns t1_iu5361i wrote

Reply to comment by WardStradlater in [Help] Please advise on how to safely remove an old garage door spring (existing guides are all for new styles of torsion spring) by moron_that_later

This.

Extension springs aren't really that dangerous. The way they load/unload is linear and predictable. Take precaution of course, and be careful, but these aren't a big deal to work on or maintain by an average DIYer.

Torsion springs are EXTREMELY dangerous. They fail in unpredictable ways and have a lot of potential energy wound up in them. Danger bay.

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moron_that_later OP t1_iu53m4j wrote

That makes a lot of sense. Here is the spring, btw, which I was able to find with the help of this distinction: https://www.thelumberyard.com/SPRING-EXTENSION-BLACK-32IN-p/5658042.htm

So basically whereas a torsion spring is always already under tension, and thus has a ton of potential energy stored up, an extension spring is not under tension until it is extended (like a trampoline), is that right?

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IronSlanginRed t1_iu5b135 wrote

Yup. These kind don't have tension on them unless they are extended. So all the way up there's usually a slack spot.

TBH when i removed mine i barely had to pull on it to unhook the S-hook. All the way open and the spring was pretty much fully closed and had next to no tension. I just wore gloves so i wouldn't pinch my hand. These are waaaaay different than torsion springs.

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asad137 t1_iu5lbt5 wrote

>Torsion springs are EXTREMELY dangerous. They fail in unpredictable ways and have a lot of potential energy wound up in them.

While this is true, they are also trapped by the rod passing through the center. So the only way to get a piece flying off is if less than a 360-degree arc of the spring breaks off.

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jeffersonairmattress t1_iu5tbgc wrote

It's the levers you use to wind the springs or the wrench you use to tighten the 2-3 locking setscrews that cause the most common injuries. The spring is wound on its shaft by a capstan with radial holes and you wind it by putting two levers in the holes- one to hold it and one to advance it. if the capstan's light aluminum casting breaks or your lever slips, the next one comes around and takes out your head or impales you- the same thing can happen if a lever slips while you are locking the bolts and the wrench you are using takes your hand off or winds up inside you. All compounded by the fact that this typically happens to a DIY amateur standing on a ladder.

I've seen the springs unwind unexpectedly a few times but I've only seen two springs break and one of them just violently unwound on the shaft as you suggested but the other one threw a section of itself through 2 layers of drywall 60 feet away. I'll never touch another one.

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DudebuD16 t1_iu8q9en wrote

That's why you use locking pliers and the rod you use to wind the spring to hold it in place when tightening anything.

And when winding the spring, keep your body to one side(the non spring side) to avoid injury.

But you are right about the spring exploding, it's happened before(not to me)

Source: garage door installer

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