Garage door lift cables run from the bottom corners of the door up to drums on the spring bar. Together with the springs, they carry the weight of the door. When one snaps or slips off its drum, the door can hang crooked, slam shut or refuse to open.
Signs of a broken or loose cable
- The door is crooked, with one side higher than the other.
- A cable is hanging loose or coiled on the floor near the door.
- The door jerks, shakes or stops partway.
- You heard a snap, followed by the door dropping on one side.
- Frayed strands or rust are visible on the cable near the bottom bracket.
Why cables fail
Most cable failures come from wear and rust at the bottom bracket, where moisture collects. Houston humidity speeds this up. Cables also fail when a spring breaks and the load shifts suddenly, when the door is out of balance, or when a worn drum or bearing lets the cable rub.
What to do right away
- Stop using the opener and unplug it if you can do so safely.
- Keep everyone away from the door. A door with a broken cable can drop without warning.
- Do not try to rewind or reattach the cable. It is connected to springs under high tension.
- If the door is open and you need to secure the house, lock the inside door to the garage.
How a technician repairs it
A proper repair replaces both cables, since the other one is usually worn too, and checks the drums, bottom brackets, springs and bearings. The door is then rebalanced and tested. If a spring is also worn, it is often smart to replace it at the same visit. Read more about signs of a broken spring.
Cable repair in the Houston area
We repair cables, springs and off-track doors across Houston, including Pearland, Friendswood and Katy. See our garage door repair service or call (832) 434-7291.