How To Fix Your Garage Door Chain (Step by Step)

Unfortunately, sooner or later, all things break down. When this invariably happens, you have two options. You can either replace the old item with a new one or try to fix it.

Buying a new product often results in making a significant investment and ensuring that your new item will serve you for many years to come.

On the other hand, repairing the thing that broke can save you some money, especially if you do it yourself.

If your door chain broke down and you are not thrilled about covering the new garage door cost, we might have something for you.

In our guide, you will learn how to fix your garage door chain step by step.

Here’s How To Fix Your Garage Door Chain

Check the Chain

The first thing you should do is to check whether your current chain is broken or not. If it is, there’s a chance that it can be fixed.

To do so, start by removing your door opener. Make sure you know the model number of your opener. Find the model on the data plate on the garage door opener or look at the end of the motor shaft.

Next, remove the torsion springs. There are two springs on each side of the garage door. You will need to remove a bar and turnbuckles before you can get to the springs. To do this, you will need a pair of pliers.

Once you have removed the springs, you can then remove the chain from the bottom roller and measure its length.

If the chain is not broken, try tightening it first. This should take care of any issues with chain tension. On the other hand, if that does not help, you might need to replace the chain entirely.

Replace Your Chain

Most hardware retailers carry chains for garage doors that are sold in pairs with enough hardware to replace one-half of the loop for each end of the door.

However, if you are not sure about the size you need or which type to choose, contact a specialist who will help you find the most suitable one.

Before you replace your chain, you should check the ends to see if either one is damaged or if they are worn out. If they are, you will need to get new ones.

In order to cut off the broken ends, use a hacksaw and file them down if they do not match up well with each other. If you’ve never cut a chain before, consider watching this short tutorial first.

Once you have done that, you can attach the new ones together, using an old chain as a guide for cutting them to size. Attach them at both sides of your garage door loop by loop until they fit together well and the loop is as tight as possible.

Finally, put the chain back onto the sprockets and adjust it accordingly. You should make sure it’s exactly right before attaching it back onto your door opener.

Tighten the Chain

If your chain is not pulled very tight, it might be causing a lot of issues with your door. Before you replace your garage door chain, try tightening it first.

To do this, you need to remove the door opener and get access to the bottom of the garage door. Begin by removing the torsion springs.

As we already mentioned, there are two springs on each side of the garage door. You will need to remove a bar and turnbuckles before you can get to the springs.

Next, measure the length of the chain once again. If it is too long, make sure you cut off the excess with a hacksaw. Then, measure across the garage door to find out whether the chain is pulled as tightly as possible.

In order to make any adjustments, you will need to loosen the screws on the chain tensioner. You will want to pay attention to how much slack is in the chain before you start making any adjustments.

Once you have found a setting that makes the chain tight enough, screw the chain tensioner back into place.

Then, put the springs back into place, making sure they are attached properly and that they do not interfere with the chain or spring guides. Finally, attach the torsion springs back onto your garage door opener and make sure everything is working well.

Bonus Tip: How to Oil Your Garage Door Chain

As we’ve already mentioned, there are a lot of moving parts in your garage door chain system. It is easy for dirt and grime to build upon those parts and cause problems for your chain.

In order to avoid this problem and keep your chain running smoothly, you will need to oil it occasionally.

To do so, all you need is a few drops of WD-40 or oil and a rag to clean off any dust or dirt that might be on your chain.

After that, spray a little bit of oil onto the chain from one end to the other and let it soak in. Don’t worry if you use too much oil – it can actually help lubricate your system better.

Finally, wipe off the excess oil with a clean rag.

Chain Maintenance

Now that you have fixed your chain, you should keep an eye on it in order to avoid similar issues in the future.

One of the things you can do is wax your chain every few months to avoid rust build-up and corrosion.

To wax your chain, grab a rag and some wax (for example WD-40) and rub it into the chain several times until it is evenly coated.

Then wipe off any excess with another rag. Doing this regularly will ensure that your chain remains in good condition for many years to come.

Fixing Garage Door Chain Problems

In most cases, you can fix your garage door chain yourself. However, if you do not feel comfortable doing this, we recommend you get in touch with a professional and let them do it for you.

You should know that fixing the chain can be a pretty time-consuming process. To get it done faster, you might need to have a helper.

If you decide it’s not worth your time or trouble, try to find the best garage door repair services in your neighborhood. The professionals will gladly help you out with the task and will do it in no time.

In addition, they will also tell you whether the chain is broken or not.

Wrapping Up

With this guide, you have learned how to replace your garage door chain step by step.

As we mentioned at the beginning, you should only try this process if you know what you are doing or if you have experience with it. If not, don’t hesitate to contact a professional and ask for help.