How to fix a jerky garage door – Simple guide to fix the noise
Oh, that annoying jerk! There are very few things that can spoil a perfectly good morning like a jerky garage door can.
Imagine being all set to drive the car to work and realizing that the garage door jerks, creaks, and makes a loud noise every time it moves. Now, your whole ride is infested with thoughts on how to repair it and how much it will cost.
Morning = ruined!
But hey, things don’t have to be so bad. A jerky door is not all that difficult to fix as long as you know what you are dealing with. Through this guide, we shall help you zero in on the problem and provide helpful solutions for the same. Here we go!
Common reasons why your garage door is jerking
More often than not, the problem is quite easy to solve but to do that, you must know why it is happening in the first place. Let’s go through a few common reasons:
- The tracks have debris or loose screws
- The rollers are loose
- The springs are broken or rusted
- Cables on the pulleys are disturbed and no longer positioned accurately
- The torsion spring on the top is broken
How to fix a jerky garage door
1) Debris in the tracks
The most common problem that we have encountered with garage doors is debris. After a while, debris and dirt start collecting in the track, disabling the smooth functioning of the door. To fix this, you need a lint-free cloth and soapy dish water. Use a flash light to check for dead insects, debris, etc. and wipe the tracks accordingly. After this, use clean water for the final rinse. They should be as good as new in no time.
2) Loose screws in the tracks
While you are at it, grab a flat-head screwdriver and check whether all the screws are tight. If you find any loose ones, fix them right away.
3) Loose or broken rollers
After checking and cleaning the tracks, if the problem persists take a look at the rollers to ensure that nothing’s wrong there. There might be dirt on the rollers. If yes, clean them as well. In some cases, rips and tears may be identified. In this case, you will need to replace them.
Cleaning tip – use 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and 2 cups of water to clean the rollers.
4) Rusted springs
Rusted springs will make things harder than they have to be. A layer of rust is enough to make your door jerk every time it moves. A wire brush and vinegar can help you get rid of the rust.
5) Broken torsion spring
You will find the torsion spring overhead. If you see that the coil is sticking up or the spring is broken, you will understand that this is the reason behind all the trouble. While this isn’t as common as rusted springs or debris in tracks, it does happen from time to time.
You will need professional help to rectify this issue.
Even after fixing the above, if your garage door jerks when opening and closing, you must hire professional repair services. They will be quick to identify and rectify the problem for you. In most cases, it does not cost a lot either! We recommend professional services even if you have never repaired a garage door on your own. While DIY projects are fun, they can be troublesome if you are not sure what you are doing. Also, a poorly repaired door will make matters worse in days to come. Avoid all that hassle by hiring someone who knows what they are doing!
In case you have any doubts regarding fixing a garage door that jerks, you can talk to us! Please feel free to comment and we will be happy to address all your queries.
