7 Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring

By Arizona Garage Doors Repair · Updated 2026-09-27

Garage door springs do all the heavy lifting; the opener only guides the door. When a spring breaks, the door becomes several hundred pounds of dead weight. Here are the signs, and why it matters.

The 7 signs

1. A loud bang from the garage. A torsion spring releasing its tension sounds like a firecracker or a car hitting the door.
2. A visible gap in the spring. Look at the coil above the door. A broken torsion spring shows a clear 1 to 2 inch separation.
3. The door opens a few inches and stops. Modern openers detect the extra load and quit for safety.
4. The door is extremely heavy by hand.
5. Loose or dangling cables. When the spring lets go, the cables often unwind.
6. The door is crooked. With extension springs, one side breaks and the door lifts unevenly.
7. Slamming or falling fast. A door that drops quickly on the way down has lost its counterbalance.

What to do

Stop using the opener immediately; forcing the door burns out the motor and can bend the top panel. Keep people and pets away from the door and call for same-day garage door spring replacement.

What it costs

In North Carolina, single torsion spring replacement typically runs $180 to $380 and a pair $260 to $520 installed. We recommend replacing both springs on a two-spring door; the second one was installed the same day and has the same wear.

Why not DIY?

Torsion springs store enough energy to break bones. Winding bars, correct wire gauge and proper cone tightening are not optional. Our technicians carry a full range of springs and complete the job in under an hour. Find your city to book.