Snapped or Frayed Cable? Stop Immediately.
Expert Cable Replacement to Restore the Safety and Balance of Your Door.
The Lifelines of Your Garage Door
The Critical Role of Your Garage Door Cables
While your garage door springs provide the raw power, the high-tension steel cables are the critical lifelines that transfer that energy to lift the door’s immense weight. Working in perfect sync with the drums and springs, these cables bear hundreds of pounds of force with every cycle. When a cable becomes frayed, worn, or snaps, the entire system is dangerously compromised, becoming unbalanced and unpredictable.
Symptoms of a Failing or Broken Cable
- A Slanted or Crooked Door: A broken cable on one side will cause the door to hang unevenly and often become jammed in the tracks.
- Visible Fraying or Corrosion: You can see broken steel strands or significant rust on the cable, usually near the bottom brackets or the top drums.
- Sudden, Loud Noise Followed by a Crash: If a cable snaps during operation, the door can suddenly fall on one side, creating a loud and dangerous impact.
- Cable Slipped Off the Drum: You might see a loose, spaghetti-like cable hanging or notice it has come unwound from the grooved drum at the top of the door.
DANGER: Cable Replacement Requires Professional Expertise
Garage door cables are directly connected to the high-tension spring system. Attempting to replace a cable without properly securing the door and completely releasing all spring tension can cause the spring to unwind violently, resulting in severe injury. This is not a simple fix; it is a hazardous procedure that requires specialized knowledge, tools, and a deep understanding of the door’s mechanics to perform safely.
Frequently Asked Cable Questions
Our Safe & Methodical 4-Step Cable Repair
Step 1: Complete System De-Tensioning
Safety is the first and most critical step. Our technician will clamp the door securely in place and professionally unwind the torsion springs, removing all dangerous tension from the system.
Step 2: Removal and Full Inspection
We remove the old or broken cables and then conduct a full inspection of the entire system—including drums, rollers, tracks, and springs—for any related damage or wear.
Step 3: Installation of New, Correctly Sized Cables
We install a new pair of appropriately sized, high-strength aircraft-grade steel cables, ensuring they are correctly threaded and secured, and wound perfectly on the drums.
Step 4: Re-Tension, Balance & Full System Test
We meticulously re-tension the spring system and perform a series of balance tests. We then run the door through multiple cycles to ensure it travels smoothly and evenly, guaranteeing a safe, reliable, and long-lasting repair.
Don't Trust a Frayed Cable. Trust a Professional.
Ensure the safety and reliability of your garage door system. Contact Garage Door Illinois today for expert, safe, and professional cable repair and replacement service.