How to Wind Garage Door Torsion Springs

Position a ladder slightly to the side of the spring so that the winding cone is easily accessible, and so your body is not directly in line with the winding bars. Check the label attached to the spring warning tag for the required number of complete turns to balance your door.

1. Insert one winding rod snugly into winding cone, to full socket depth 
   
2. Maintaining a tight grip on the winding rod rotate it slowly in the proper direction, as shown below. 
   
3. If there is any slippage of the winding rod in the winding cone socket, reverse the direction of winding and return the cone to its original position. Remove the winding rod from the winding cone socket. Reseat the winding rod in the socket. Start over at Step #1. 
   
4. When the winding rod is vertical above the winding cone, insert another winding rod into one of the other sockets, being careful to seat it snugly and at full socket depth. 
   
5. Hold the spring with the second winding bar, and remove the first. 
   
6. Repeat Steps #2 through #5 until the complete turns have been applied 

IMPORTANT: AFTER WINDING THE SPRING(S), TIGHTEN THE (2) SET SCREWS TO 14-15 FT. LBS. OF TORQUE IN THE WINDING CONE. ONCE SET SCREWS CONTACT THE SHAFT, TIGHTEN SCREWS ONE FULL TURN.

FOR SPRINGS UP TO 3-3/4” ID ON COMMERCIAL SECTIONAL DOORS: 

Securely hold the winding rod while tightening the 2 set screws in the winding cone to 14 - 15 ft. lbs. of torque (once set screws contact the torsion shaft, tighten screws one full turn).

After the torsion spring is secure, use the winding rod to apply pressure in the opposite direction to ensure the set screws are securely fixed to the torsion shaft. Carefully remove winding rod from winding cone. Repeat for remaining springs, if applicable. While holding the door down to prevent it from raising unexpectedly in the event the spring(s) were over-wound, carefully remove the locking pliers from the torsion shaft and vertical tracks.

Adjustments to the number of turns stated may be necessary. If door rises off floor under spring tension alone, reduce spring tension until door rests on the floor. If the door is hard to rise or drifts down on its own, add spring tension. 

WARNINGS: 

• Winding springs is an extremely dangerous procedure and should be performed only by a trained door system technician using proper tools and instructions
  
• Use only specified winding bars, as stated in step securing door for spring winding. Do not substitute with screw drivers, pipe, etc. Other tools may fail or release from the spring cone and cause severe or fatal injury. 
  
• Please carefully read the installation instructions for the model number of the door before beginning the installation process.  We recommend you call a professional garage door installer to have your springs adjusted.

Garage Door Torsion Springs Instructions

Below are a few of the instruction manuals available for winding garage door torsion springs.

• Torsion Springs 8000-8200 Steel Garage Doors
  
  
• Torsion Springs 8300-8500 Steel Garage Doors
  
  
• Torsion Springs 8700 Vinyl Garage Doors
  
  
• Torsion Springs 8800 Aluminum Full View Doors
  
  
• Torsion Springs 8450-8850 Aluminum Full View Doors
  
  
• Torsion Springs 9105 & 9600 Steel Garage Doors
  

Find more information on how to wind garage door torsion springs by viewing the installation instructions for the garage door model you have.