Snapped Garage Door Cable in St. Louis: Signs and Repair
The short answer
Lift cables run from the bottom corners of the door up to the drums by the springs, and they carry the weight together with the springs. If a cable is loose, frayed or snapped, the door will hang crooked and should not be used until it is repaired.
Call About a Snapped Cable(314) 200-4461Signs to look for
- A cable hangs loose along the side of the door.
- The door lifts crooked, or one side lags behind.
- You can see frayed or rusty strands near the bottom corners.
- The door drops or slams instead of closing smoothly.
- A cable has come off the drum at the top of the door.
Why it happens
Wear and rust
Cables rub at the bottom brackets and drums on every cycle. Moisture near the floor rusts them from the bottom up.
A broken spring
When a spring breaks, the cable can go slack and jump off its drum.
A door off track
If the door shifts in the track, one cable takes more load than the other and can slip or snap.
Worn drums or bearings
A worn drum lets the cable wind unevenly until it slips off.
Is it safe to use the door?
No.
Cables hold a lot of tension. A loose cable can whip, and a door with one cable can fall to one side. Keep the door closed, unplug the opener, and don't touch the cable, drums or bottom brackets.
What you can check, and what needs a pro
Safe for you to check
- Look at both sides of the door from a distance. Do not touch the cables.
- Unplug the opener so nobody runs it.
- Keep the door closed and the area clear.
- Take photos of both bottom corners to share on the call.
Leave these to a technician
- Replacing lift cables, which are under spring tension.
- Replacing cable drums and bearings.
- Replacing bottom brackets.
- Balancing the door after the repair.
Never adjust, release or loosen springs, cables, drums or bottom brackets. They hold enough tension to cause serious injury.
Call About a Snapped Cable(314) 200-4461What the repair involves
The technician secures the door and takes the tension off safely, then replaces the cables. They are usually replaced as a pair so both sides lift evenly.
The drums, bearings, bottom brackets and springs are checked at the same time. Then the door is balanced and tested so it closes level.
More about our garage door cable repair service in St. Louis
Call About a Snapped Cable(314) 200-4461