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How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

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101–110 of 344 posts

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A jack is basically suicide tbh. Jackstands are fine, provided they're used correctly. Ramps are nice, provided you don't need to take a wheel off, then you're using jackstands anyway, so, if you're buying one or the other, jackstands are a good option. Personally, if you have the space for it, a trench is the best option, I had one previously and I miss it alot. Nothing leaves the ground, car just pulls in and is re…

IMO a trench mitigates the danger effectively.

Until you fall into it when you’re not paying attention!

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#102
post #96

If they are this bad to replace, should I be worried about them randomly failing? I mean, I drive right underneath them like twice a day backing in and out.

They typically fail when wound (closed), not unwound (open), because that's when they're stressed. Cables can fail when winding the drum (open), but you have two.

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#103
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Potentially throwing away so many good years How much time did you spend changing oil?? It's a 20-30 min job once you have done it coupe of time and know the ropes. I sometimes do it myself not because I want to save few bucks, but because it's sometimes faster than going somewhere.

I'm assuming you're leaving out the time it takes to drive somewhere to dispose of the used oil and driving back. I grew up in the boonies, and my dad was one to dispose of oil "out back". It was such a shock the day he brought home a proper catch can to have it disposed of properly

Pretty much any big chain auto parts shop accepts used oil. With a proper catch can you still have to bring in for disposal.

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#104
post #72

Why are we still using springs?

Garage doors weigh from 80 to 200 lb (37 - 90 kg)[0], so you'd have to hang one of these from it[1]. Hmm, that doesn't sound too bad. Here's some smarter people than me discussing it[2]. Also, here's a company that sells them[3]. Looks like they use a pully system to double the weight and half the distance. Neat! I feel like I may have seen one of these before...

[0] https://veterangaragedoor.com/faq/how-much-do-garage-doors-w...

[1] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Heavy_Du...

[2] https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/8692/why-are...

[3] https://www.hermco.ca/products/2000-series/

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#106
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ramps are very good. I don't know why anyone would use a jack for an oil change...

A jack is basically suicide tbh. Jackstands are fine, provided they're used correctly. Ramps are nice, provided you don't need to take a wheel off, then you're using jackstands anyway, so, if you're buying one or the other, jackstands are a good option. Personally, if you have the space for it, a trench is the best option, I had one previously and I miss it alot. Nothing leaves the ground, car just pulls in and is re…

Another option, if you’ve got the ceiling height is a proper 4 post lift. Expensive, but you can justify it by doubling your car storage space.

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#107
post #72

Why are we still using springs?

The people answering apparently don't know that you can use counter-weights, cables and pulleys instead of a torsion spring. It takes more space, but it rock solid and safer to fix.

It is very common in some other countries.

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#108
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ramps are very good. I don't know why anyone would use a jack for an oil change...

Depends on the jack. The people I know that do this use a jack and jack stands rather than just a jack. The jack is just the tool to go up/down.

[deleted]

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#109
post #96

If they are this bad to replace, should I be worried about them randomly failing? I mean, I drive right underneath them like twice a day backing in and out.

They typically fail when wound (closed), not unwound (open), because that's when they're stressed. Cables can fail when winding the drum (open), but you have two.

That doesn't instill any peace of mind. So they are normally under stress and might explode at some random moment?

Edit: Okay, that [0] doesn't look too violent.

[0] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4qTIpspUik

Re: How I replaced deadly garage door torsion springs (2002)

#110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A jack is basically suicide tbh. Jackstands are fine, provided they're used correctly. Ramps are nice, provided you don't need to take a wheel off, then you're using jackstands anyway, so, if you're buying one or the other, jackstands are a good option. Personally, if you have the space for it, a trench is the best option, I had one previously and I miss it alot. Nothing leaves the ground, car just pulls in and is re…

IMO a trench mitigates the danger effectively.

Make sure it is shored correctly!
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