garage door wire snapped

[John sankus]

Closing the garage door last night, cable snapped as I was closing it, which meant it came down with a bang, and jammed shut. Luckily there is a side door... anyway, I managed to get it free - the speed of the closure had meant the stop had over-travelled a wee bit, so once that was free I could open it again. Problem seems to snapped cable (as previously mentioned...). Seems to be two springs also - one is lying flat, looking like a nice normal spring - the other is bulging out looking like someone's intestines - seriously U-shaped.
Google tells me I should get someone in to do it, which would be a bit of a first for me - but is it truly hazardous? Can I just pop the spring back in, wearing a helmet, eye-protection and a pair of welding gloves? (it does look under some serious tension)
The wire repair is secondary at the moment I think - the spring looks dangerous - but I assume I can just buy some wire and fit it...?

 

[Wayners]

Picture may help. Ive adjusted mother in laws last year. Open door which will slacken spring and with two hands I was able to stretch spring off.
Then I adjusted and hooked back on.
I think there were different hook on spots.

Mine at home is different. You slacken while its on but door is open.
Then unhook spring.
Hook back on then tighten spring with spanner

 

[John sankus]

Thanks bud. I'll still have to get new wire - snapped on one side (not the side with the varicose vein spring though...)

 

[Wayners]

The hook on type is not easy to get on

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Can I just pop the spring back in, wearing a helmet, eye-protection and a pair of welding gloves? (it does look under some serious tension)

and plenty of thick clothing!

but I assume I can just buy some wire and fit it...?

Basically, yes, but the wire ends need to be either crimped, or if there is space to add them - you could fit clamps. There is least tension of the spring, with the door open, but with the door open, it is impossible to access the springs in some designs. Mine was like that. I ended up attaching the wire to the end of the spring, along with a rope, shutting the door, and using the rope to tension the spring, enough to hook the end of the wire, onto the door. The rope I then cut off.

 

[John sankus]

and plenty of thick clothing!



Basically, yes, but the wire ends need to be either crimped, or if there is space to add them - you could fit clamps. There is least tension of the spring, with the door open, but with the door open, it is impossible to access the springs in some designs. Mine was like that. I ended up attaching the wire to the end of the spring, along with a rope, shutting the door, and using the rope to tension the spring, enough to hook the end of the wire, onto the door. The rope I then cut off.

The springs, I think (can't remember) are on the top of the door, enclosed in a square tube (is that an xymoron?) or, the square tube might be on the inside wall, sitting just above the door - in which case I won't be able to get near it if the door is open... (the latter is more likely...)
I have another garage other side of the house so I'll be able, at least, to see what it should look like when it is working..

 

[John sankus]

The hook on type is not easy to get on

Better get my thinking cap on... I'll wear it under the helmet...

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The springs, I think (can't remember) are on the top of the door, enclosed in a square tube (is that an xymoron?) or, the square tube might be on the inside wall, sitting just above the door - in which case I won't be able to get near it if the door is open... (the latter is more likely...)

Like mine then! It was a pressed steel U shape, with a cover fitted, turning it into a tube, to contain the springs, the wire ran over a roller at each end, then down inside the vertical track, to a hooked bracket on the door. It was worn out, and quite troublesome. I replaced the troublesome door, one or two decades ago, with an automatic, roller shutter door.

 

[John sankus]

Like mine then! It was a pressed steel U shape, with a cover fitted, turning it into a tube, to contain the springs, the wire ran over a roller at each end, then down inside the vertical track, to a hooked bracket on the door. It was worn out, and quite troublesome. I replaced the troublesome door, one or two decades ago, with an automatic, roller shutter door.

Yep.. that's exactly what it is. I think i'll get a man in... I know my limitations...

 

[Rodders53]

https://www.garagedoor-spares.com/ has a wealth of door parts... once you identify the make you have currently...

Also informative fitting instructions https://www.garagedoor-spares.com/technical-guides/

If, after seeing those you decide to pay a professional I'd not be entirely surprised.