Garage door spring vs cable

Homeowners often say "the spring broke" when a cable slipped, or the other way around. Knowing the parts helps you search for garage door spring or garage door repair near you and talk to a listed shop.

Springs lift the door

• Torsion springs sit on a shaft above the door opening.
• Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks.
• A broken spring often leaves the door very heavy or stuck a few feet up.
• You may see a visible gap in a torsion spring or a hanging extension spring.

Cables guide and lift

• Lift cables run from the bottom brackets up to drums near the springs.
• A frayed or off-drum cable can tilt the door in the opening.
• Cables are usually replaced as a pair, often with spring work.

Filter the spring replacement or repair category, then confirm the diagnosis with the business. Featured listings are paid placements and are labeled as such.