2026-03-26 6 min read
There's a specific sound that Pasadena homeowners dread: a loud bang from the garage, usually early in the morning, followed by a door that won't budge. That's almost always a broken torsion spring. and it happens with almost no warning. If you own a home in this city, especially one of the thousands of Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Revival houses, or mid-century ranchers that define neighborhoods like Bungalow Heaven, Chapman Woods, and Hastings Ranch, understanding your garage door springs before they fail can save you a serious headache.
This post is a straight-talking guide to what springs actually do, how to spot wear before a break happens, and. critically. what you should never attempt yourself.
<33-22,33-23>A common misconception among homeowners is that the garage door opener does all the heavy lifting. In reality, it's the garage door springs that shoulder the bulk of the door's weight.</33-22,33-23> Your opener simply triggers the movement. the springs do the actual work of lifting 150 to 400 pounds of door panel every single time.
There are two types you'll encounter in Pasadena homes:
- Torsion springs mount horizontally above the door opening and twist to store and release energy. <34-10>Torsion springs generally last longer, provide smoother operation, and are considered safer because they stay on the shaft when they break.</34-10> Most doors installed in the last 20,30 years use this system. - Extension springs run along the sides of the door tracks and stretch like a rubber band. <37-1,37-2>Extension springs are an older technology commonly found in older homes and generally run along the sides of the sectional door.</37-1,37-2> If your home is a pre-1970s build in areas like Orange Heights or Washington Square, there's a reasonable chance you still have extension springs.
<31-10>Standard springs are rated for approximately 10,000 cycles, which works out to roughly 3 to 5 years for most families</31-10> using the garage four times a day. <31-11>High-cycle springs are rated for 25,000+ cycles and can last 7 to 10 years with proper care.</31-11> That lifespan shortens if the springs are never lubricated or if your door is unusually heavy. as older wood doors in historic Pasadena homes often are.
Springs rarely announce their failure gracefully. But there are signs if you pay attention. Check your service areas page to confirm we cover your neighborhood, then read through these warning signs:
- The door feels heavier than usual. <32-22,32-23>If your garage door suddenly feels unusually heavy or difficult to lift, even with the opener, the springs may no longer be doing their job. Springs are designed to carry most of the door's weight.</32-22,32-23> - The door won't stay open. Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway. If it slides down on its own, the springs are losing tension. - Visible gaps in the spring coils. A gap in a torsion spring means it has already partially broken. Do not operate the door. - The opener sounds strained. <33-25,33-26>As garage door springs grow weaker, the brunt of the door's load ends up being supported by the garage door opener. The added burden slows down the opener, making it more sluggish than usual.</33-25,33-26> - Rust or corrosion on the coils. This is especially relevant in Pasadena after winter rains. <33-12,33-13>Exposure to the elements is a common cause of broken springs. when springs get wet, they rust.</33-12,33-13>
If you spot any of these, stop using the door and call a professional. For more common questions about this process, our FAQ page has answers.
There's a clear line between what homeowners can safely handle and what they should leave alone. On the safe side:
Lubrication: <32-1,32-2>Apply a silicone-based or lithium-based garage door lubricant to the coils every 3 to 6 months. This reduces friction, prevents rust, and keeps the springs moving smoothly.</32-1,32-2> Avoid WD-40. it's not a lubricant, it's a solvent, and it will dry out quickly and leave residue that attracts dust. In Pasadena, where Santa Ana winds deposit grit on everything in fall, this matters more than it might seem.
Visual inspection: <34-28,34-29,34-30>Once a month, look for gaps in the coils, rust, or fraying cables. Catching small issues early can prevent sudden failure.</34-28,34-29,34-30>
Balance test: Disconnect the opener using the red emergency cord. Lift the door manually to waist height and let go. A balanced door stays in place. A door that drops or flies up needs a professional adjustment.
Keep the area clean: <32-6,32-7>Dust and debris buildup can affect spring performance. Gently wipe around the springs and surrounding hardware during seasonal maintenance.</32-6,32-7>
This part matters. Torsion spring replacement is one of the most dangerous DIY jobs in home maintenance. <31-41,31-42>Torsion springs require specialized winding bars and precise calibration. One slip can release hundreds of pounds of stored energy instantly.</31-41,31-42> Every year, homeowners are seriously injured. and sometimes killed. attempting to adjust or replace torsion springs themselves.
<36-16,36-17,36-18>You can perform basic tasks like visual checks and light lubrication. However, maintaining garage door springs involves working with high-tension parts, creating a risk of serious injury. For anything beyond surface maintenance, always call a professional.</36-16,36-17,36-18>
If one spring breaks, replace both. <34-34,34-35,34-36>If one fails, the other is likely close behind. Replacing both keeps the door balanced.</34-34,34-35,34-36> It also means you won't be back in the same situation six months later.
For homeowners in Altadena. just north of Pasadena. or in older pockets of the city where garage hardware hasn't been touched in decades, it's sometimes more cost-effective to upgrade the entire spring system rather than patch failing components one at a time.
<34-22>High-cycle springs (25,000+ cycles) are available for homeowners who want to invest in longer-lasting components.</34-22> If you use your garage as a primary entry point multiple times a day. which is common in households where the garage door is the main way in and out. the upgrade pays for itself quickly in reduced service calls.
Garage Door Pasadena can assess whether your current system is worth servicing or whether a full spring upgrade makes better long-term financial sense for your home. Reach out to our team to book a no-pressure evaluation.
Q: How do I know if I have torsion or extension springs? A: Stand inside your garage and look at the door mechanism. If you see a long horizontal spring mounted on a metal rod directly above the door opening, that's a torsion spring. If you see springs running along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door, those are extension springs. Homes built before the 1980s. common throughout Pasadena's historic districts. are more likely to have extension springs.
Q: My spring broke overnight. Can I still use the door manually? A: You technically can, but you shouldn't. Without functioning springs, the door's full weight (often 150,400 lbs) is unsupported. Trying to lift it manually risks injury, and forcing the opener to run in this condition can burn out the motor. Leave the door closed and call for repair.
Q: How much does spring replacement typically cost in the Pasadena area? A: Costs vary depending on spring type and whether you replace one or both. As a general range, torsion spring replacement runs $200,$400 and extension spring replacement runs $150,$250 for professional installation, including parts and labor. Upgrading to high-cycle springs costs more upfront but can significantly extend the time between replacements. a smart move for heavily-used garage doors.