If your garage is more than 20 years old NY Gates suggests that you consider replacing your garage door. A new garage door can add curb appeal and value to your home or business. Newer garage doors are also easier to use and have added safety features for your convenience.
We have a team that handles all our new garage door installations along with a variety of other services. If you are up for the challenge here is a step by step guide on how to install a garage door.
Gather Tools and Loosen Tension
Before you start make sure that you have the necessary tools to do the job nearby. You will need the following:
- Socket bit
- Level
- Open-ended wrench
- Drill bits and Phillips driver bit
- Drill and hammer
- Safety glasses ‘
- Adjustable locking pliers
- ½” diameter rods
Once you have everything you need you can get started. You will need to release the tension in the torsion spring before you start working on the garage door itself.
Clamp the adjustable locking pliers and wedge the pliers against the header wall at the top of the door. Insert a steel rod in one of the four holes in the spring winding cone. Hold the rod tight and loosen the set-screws while you hold the winding cone in place.
Loosen the spring one-quarter turn at a time using the steel rods. You will want to alternate the rods since one is for turning the cone after the first rod is out and the other is to hold the cone steady.
Taking Apart The Old Opener and Door
Once you are finished with step one disconnect your existing garage door opener and start taking apart the garage door. Start with the panels at the top and remove the hinges. On the panel below. Next, unscrew the track from the door frame.
If you are replacing the existing garage door opener then remove the openers track as well as the opener. If not, skip this step.
Putting In The Door Panels
It is now time to put the door panels in. If you are installing a two-panel garage door drill two pilot holes at the top center of the panel and secure a bar to prevent the door from bending in the center. Secure the hinges to the top of each panel along with the axles to the top of the top panel and the bottom of the bottom panel.
After you place the bottom panel in the door opening put a nail into the wall next to the panel and bend it over to hold the panel steady. Put the next panel on top of the first panel making sure that the groove from the upper panel sits into the ridge on the bottom panel. Repeat these steps until you get to the very top, the last panel will sit an inch above the opening of the door.
Hinges and Tracks
While inside the garage attach the top half of each hinge to the panel above. Put the wheeled axles into the side hinges and the bottom and top axle support. To install the track attach the brackets to the vertical track pieces, checking the owner’s manual to make sure you are installing it correctly.
Put the brackets against the wall making sure the wheels align in the track. Connect the door cable to the hook on the bottom panel axle support. Once this is complete attach the bottom bracket to the wall.
Spring Assembly
Your owner’s manual can instruct you on how to put together the pieces to support the spring assembly. Once that is complete you can attach them to the track.
Place the curved portion of the track on the vertical piece attaching the other end to the ceiling bracket. The same ceiling supports used with the old door will be used with the new door.
Connecting the Tracks
Connect the horizontal track to the vertical track already on the door. Only tighten the bolts once you are sure the door fits and lines up properly.
Use the holes in the vertical track to figure out where to drill the holes in the horizontal track and attach them. Bolt the tracks together using the proper size bolts.
Installing the Springs
Find the center of the opening and mark it on the door header. Connect the springs to the spring anchors and then the spring locking cone.
Make sure the spring locking cone is secure, this is what keeps the spring from popping off under high tension. Bolt the springs to the door header bracket you marked earlier.
Pulleys and Torsion Rod
Slip the torsion rod in the designated holes in the side header brackets. After you check to make sure the rod is secure you can attach the pulleys to both ends of the rod.
Affix the center header bracket to the center mark on the header, lifting to make sure that it is level.
Attach the Cable and Tighten the Springs
Pull the cable up and connect it to the pulley wheel on either side. Rotate the wheel so there is no slack in the pulley over the door. Bring the wheel to the header bracket and make sure it is tight. Use a pair of locking pliers to hold the rod tight when you start to tighten the springs.
Use the rods to tighten the springs just by simply doing the opposite of what you did when you were loosening the springs in the beginning. Your owner’s manual can tell you exactly how many turns are needed to tighten the springs. Once the springs have been turned to the proper tension, tighten the bolt inside the anchor and remove the pliers from the torsion rod.
Call Us Today
NY Gates can help you with a variety of services including garage door installations. Our team can help with questions and assist you with your garage door or any of our other offerings. If you need assistance give us a call today!
New York Gates is the leading security gate and commercial garage door supplier and installer in New York City. We service all the 5 boroughs of NYC.
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