Table of Contents
Garage door gears will wear out over time.
One sign they’re worn out is if you begin to hear the motor running while the garage door is not moving.
Now, if that’s the issue you’re currently dealing with, don’t worry.
Replacing gears in garage door opener is possible.
However, it requires expertise and knowledge to handle the replacement.
On the other hand, a DIY fix is still possible.
When performing a DIY fix, one thing you should do is to remove the gear from its place.
Also, you’ll need a new gear set to replace the old ones.
It can be pretty tedious, but you can also call for a garage door company such as Washington’s Garage Doors to do it for you.
On the other hand, read further below if you’re on the DIY route.
When Should You Replace the Gears in Your Garage Door Opener?
Garage door gears can get damaged because of wear and tear.
When this happens, there will be movement issues in your garage door.
Once you notice damage upon inspection, such as rust chipped gears, it’s better to replace them as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you’ll end up damaging your garage door opener, which can be costly.
DIY Guide to Replacing Garage Door Gears
If you’re ready in replacing gears in garage door opener, refer to the steps below:
Step 1. Disengage the power supply
The first thing to watch out for before you do any replacements is preparation.
In fact, it is the most important step when replacing gears in the garage door opener.
First, disengage the motor from the power supply.
To do this, release the emergency rope.
You can now open or close the garage door manually by disengaging the rope.
Step 2. Check the Garage Door Gears
Examine the garage door gears to see if there’s damage.
Don’t hesitate to replace the gears if you spot any worn-out edges and shreds from the gear edges.
To get the right gear, bring the damaged equipment to a hardware store, or you can call Washington’s Garage Doors to assist you.
Step 3. Prepare the Tools
Before replacing your gears in your garage door opener, gather the necessary tools.
In this way, you’ll focus on the replacement project instead of going back and forth to get your tools.
Gather your tools to make the process smoother and quicker.
Here are some of the tools you need:
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Hammer
- Nut Drivers
- Punch
Step 4. Loosen the Circuit Board
A circuit board depends on the type of garage door opener you have.
To loosen the circuit board, unscrew the screws carefully.
Step 5. Reduce Tension in the Chain
After loosening the circuit board, it’s time to reduce the gears’ tension.
The chain attached to the rod creates tension while the gears are working.
So, when loosening the chain, use a wrench to unscrew the nuts.
Step 6. Remove the Gears Carefully
To remove the gears and sprocket assembly, loosen the screws from where the gears are attached.
After disassembling the sprocket, locate the shaft and remove the helical gear from it.
To remove the gears, use the hammer and punch to detach the pin that holds the gears in their position.
If you find it challenging to do this, apply a lubricant on the pin and leave the solution for a few minutes.
Then, re-detach the pin.
After the pin is loose, remove the gears by loosening the screws located on the collar.
Step 7. Replace the Damaged Gears
Now on to the last step, replace the worn-out garage door gears with new ones.
Place the gears back on the shaft, then re-assemble the motor.
Then, replace the helical gears.
After everything is placed back to its original place, tighten the chain and apply a lubricant to prevent rusting.
Cover the opener, turn on the power and test your garage door opener.
Reach Out To Washington’s Garage Doors Now!
Replacing gears in garage door opener is essential.
This way, you’ll prevent the damage the worn-out gears may affect in the future.
Before you do any replacement, make sure to buy the correct gear, tools, and basic knowledge of hardware.
However, if you don’t want the inconvenience of replacing the gears on your own, Washington’s Garage Doors is open to serving you anytime.
We also offer maintenance, garage door repairs, and installation.
Get in touch so we can replace the gears right away – or you’ll end up damaging your garage door if you left the gears to stay damaged.