Broken spring
Garage Door Spring Repair: Cost, Signs and Safety
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A loud bang followed by a door that won't lift almost always means a broken spring. Stop using the door: HomeAdvisor says it's unsafe to open by hand with a broken spring, and DASMA says spring systems should be repaired only by trained pros. Garage door spring repair cost in the Phoenix area typically runs $155 to $362, about $258 on average, per Angi. We'll match you with up to 5 licensed, insured local companies, free.
- Typical Phoenix cost: $155 to $362
- Torsion and extension springs
- Licensed, insured local companies
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How do I know if my garage door spring is broken?
The clearest signs of a broken garage door spring are a loud bang from the garage, a visible gap in the coil above the door, and a door that feels extremely heavy or rises only a few inches when the opener runs. If you notice any of these, stop using the door and keep people and cars clear.
- A loud bang or snap from the garage, often when nobody is using the door
- A visible gap in a torsion spring (the coil above the door looks split in two)
- The opener hums or strains but the door rises only a few inches, or not at all
- The door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it
- The door slams down fast or closes crooked
- A loose cable hanging near the bottom corner of the door
Precision Door lists the same three classic signs for a torsion spring: a loud pop, a gap in the coils and a door that slams shut.
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Get Help NowGarage door spring broke? What to do right now
If your garage door spring broke, stop using the door, unplug the opener and keep people, pets and cars away from it. Leave the door where it is, don't pull the emergency release if it's open, and call a trained pro. HomeAdvisor says opening a door by hand with a broken spring is unsafe.
- Stop pressing the button. The opener can't lift the door's dead weight and may strip its gears.
- Unplug the opener so nobody runs it by accident.
- Leave the door where it is. If it's open, don't try to drop it closed or pull the release cord.
- Keep everyone clear of the door's path, especially kids and pets.
- Note what you saw: which spring has a gap, whether a cable is loose, whether a car is trapped.
- Request help and say if the home can't be secured or a car is stuck.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
No, it isn't safe for most homeowners. Garage door springs hold enough stored energy to cause serious injury if a tool slips, and DASMA says spring systems should be repaired only by trained professionals. Pros also size the new springs to your door's weight, which is easy to get wrong without the right tools and experience.
The danger isn't only the spring. DASMA warns that the bottom brackets, where the cables attach, are also under extreme tension, which is why many manufacturers use tamper-resistant hardware there.
Don't loosen set screws, cut cables or try to wind a torsion spring yourself. Leave the door where it is and let a licensed pro handle it.
Torsion vs. extension springs: which do you have?
Torsion springs mount on a bar above the door and twist to lift it; extension springs run along both sides and stretch. Torsion springs usually last longer (about 8 to 15 years versus 7 to 12, per HomeAdvisor) but cost a little more per spring.
| Torsion springs | Extension springs | |
|---|---|---|
| Where they are | On a metal bar above the door opening | Along each side, above the horizontal tracks |
| How they work | Twist to lift the door | Stretch and pull to lift the door |
| Typical lifespan | 10,000 to 20,000 cycles (about 8 to 15 years) | 8,000 to 15,000 cycles (about 7 to 12 years) |
| Typical cost per spring, parts and labor (U.S.) | $75 to $150 | $50 to $100 |
| Safety note | Must be wound by a trained pro | Should have a safety cable running through each spring |
Lifespan and per-spring figures from HomeAdvisor (2026). Per-spring prices include parts and labor; the springs alone run about $30 to $100 (torsion) and $15 to $45 (extension). Quotes from your matched pros may differ.
DASMA says each extension spring should have a safety cable running through it to contain the spring if it breaks. Some pros suggest converting from extension to torsion; Angi lists that at $400 to $825 in Phoenix, so ask whether it's worth it for your door.
How long do garage door springs last?
Most garage door springs last about 7 to 15 years. HomeAdvisor rates torsion springs at 10,000 to 20,000 cycles (about 8 to 15 years) and extension springs at 8,000 to 15,000 cycles (about 7 to 12 years). One cycle is one open and one close, so heavy daily use shortens that.
A1 Garage Door Service puts a standard 10,000-cycle spring at about 7 to 10 years for most homes. Higher-cycle springs, such as 25,000-cycle springs, last longer and cost more up front.
If the garage is your main entry, you'll use up cycles faster. Ask what cycle rating the replacement springs carry. A higher-cycle spring makes sense if you plan to stay for years.
Should both springs be replaced?
On two-spring doors, usually yes. DASMA and HomeAdvisor both recommend it, even if only one broke. Both springs have done the same number of cycles, so the second is usually close behind, and replacing both keeps the door balanced.
Car stuck in the garage with a broken spring?
Wait for the pro if you can, and don't run the opener. Tell the company your car is trapped so it can prioritize the visit. Only try a manual lift after asking the pro, with the door fully closed, two adults lifting together, and never with the emergency release on an open door.
Door maker Raynor says a manual lift should only start with the door fully closed, uses two adults (never one), and stops right away if the door won't rise easily. A door held open on one good spring still isn't safe for normal use.
Never pull the emergency release while a door with a broken spring is open or partly open. The door can crash down.
Garage door spring repair cost: Phoenix and U.S. prices
Garage door spring repair in the Phoenix area costs about $258 on average, with most homeowners paying $155 to $362, according to Angi. Nationally, HomeAdvisor puts the typical range at $150 to $350. Your price depends on spring type, how many springs are replaced, door weight and timing.
| Item | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Spring replacement, Phoenix average | $258 (most pay $155 to $362) | Angi, 2026 |
| Spring replacement, U.S. average | $250 (typically $150 to $350) | HomeAdvisor, 2026 |
| One torsion spring, parts and labor (U.S.) | $75 to $150 (part alone $30 to $100) | HomeAdvisor, 2026 |
| One extension spring, parts and labor (U.S.) | $50 to $100 (part alone $15 to $45) | HomeAdvisor, 2026 |
| Springs plus cables (U.S.) | $175 to $450 | HomeServe, 2022 |
| One door, Phoenix-area guide | $150 to $350 | Angi, 2026 |
| Two doors | $275 to $425 | Angi, 2026 |
| Three doors | $350 to $725 | Angi, 2026 |
| Convert extension to torsion (Phoenix) | $400 to $825 | Angi, 2026 |
| Convert torsion to extension (Phoenix) | $250 to $500 | Angi, 2026 |
| Labor rate | $75 to $150 per hour | Angi, 2026 |
Angi's Phoenix guide doesn't say whether its per-spring figures include labor, so per-spring rows use HomeAdvisor's national numbers, which do.
What moves the price:
- Torsion or extension springs, and one spring or two
- The size and weight of your door
- The spring's cycle rating
- Related parts, like cables or rollers, fixed at the same visit
- After-hours timing
For more detail, see the garage door repair cost guide.
Spring snapped or car stuck inside? Tell us now and mark it urgent, so the matched companies know.
Get Help NowWhat happens during a spring replacement visit
Inspection
The tech confirms which spring failed, measures it and checks the cables, drums, rollers and bearings for related damage.
Quote
You should get a clear price before work starts, including whether both springs are being replaced and the cycle rating.
Replacement
The old spring tension is released safely, new springs are installed and wound or set to match the door's weight.
Balance and safety test
The tech checks that the door stays balanced partway open and that the opener's auto-reverse still works.
A spring failure sometimes knocks a cable loose or pulls the door off its track. If that happened, it's covered on our garage door cable repair page. If the opener strained hard against the broken spring, ask the pro to check it too, or read about garage door opener repair.
Spring repair in the Phoenix heat
Long Arizona summers dry out lubricants, and the monsoon (June 15 to September 30) brings bursts of humidity. A local garage door company, in sponsored content on azfamily, says that wet-dry swing wears springs sooner and that humidity can corrode metal parts. A light spray lubricant, as DASMA suggests for squeaky springs, plus a yearly pro check can help. See garage door maintenance.
We match homeowners across the Valley, including garage door spring repair in Phoenix, garage door repair in Mesa, garage door repair in Gilbert and garage door repair in Chandler. If the spring broke after hours and the door is stuck open, see emergency garage door repair.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you open a garage door with a broken spring?
You shouldn't, in most cases. With a spring broken, the door is no longer balanced, so lifting it puts its full weight on you and can let it drop suddenly. HomeAdvisor calls opening it by hand unsafe, and running the opener can damage the motor. If a car must come out, ask the pro first; Raynor's guidance requires two adults and a fully closed door to start.
Why did my garage door spring break?
Most springs simply wear out. Every open and close is one cycle, and standard springs are often rated around 10,000 cycles. Rust, lack of lubrication and a door that's out of balance can shorten that life. Springs often fail when the door is sitting still, which is why many people hear the bang when nobody is touching the door.
How long does garage door spring replacement take?
For a typical home door, spring replacement is usually done in a single visit once the tech arrives. It can take longer if both springs need replacing, if cables or drums were damaged when the spring broke, or if you're converting from extension to torsion springs. The bigger wait is often scheduling, so mention urgency on the form. The pro can estimate time after inspecting.
What's a high-cycle spring and is it worth it?
A high-cycle spring is built to last more open-and-close cycles than a standard spring. A1 Garage Door Service lists 25,000-cycle springs as a common upgrade over standard 10,000-cycle springs. If you use the garage as your main entrance or plan to stay in your home for many years, the higher upfront cost can pay off. Ask your pro to price both.
Is it safe to lubricate garage door springs myself?
Spraying a light lubricant on the springs is generally fine and is something DASMA suggests for squeaky springs. What's not safe is adjusting, winding or loosening them. Keep your hands off the set screws, cones and bottom brackets. If the springs keep squeaking after lubricating, or the door feels uneven, have a pro look at it.
Does the opener need to be replaced if a spring breaks?
Usually not. But if someone kept pressing the button after the spring broke, the opener may have strained against the full weight of the door. That can strip gears or damage the trolley. Ask the tech to test the opener after the new springs are in. Many openers come back to normal once the door is balanced again.
Phoenix-area cities we serve
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Get Help NowSources
- Angi: Garage door spring replacement cost in Phoenix, AZ
- HomeAdvisor: Garage door spring repair cost
- DASMA: Garage door safety tips
- A1 Garage Door Service: Garage door spring cycles explained
- Precision Door: How long do garage door springs last?
- Raynor: Handling a garage door with a broken spring safely
- azfamily (sponsored): Arizona monsoon and garage doors
- Phoenix New Times: When is Arizona monsoon season?
- National Weather Service Phoenix: Arizona monsoon outlook (season runs June 15 to September 30)
- HomeServe: Garage door spring repair cost
Last updated October 2026.