How To Change A Garage Door Motor

Replacing the motor on your garage door is a job that can be completed in a few hours with the right tools and materials. Before you begin any work, disconnect the power to the garage door opener from the circuit breaker panel.

Materials you will need

New garage door motor
Screwdriver
Socket wrench
Drill
Pliers
Safety glasses
Work gloves

Instructions

Disconnect the power to the garage door opener from the circuit breaker panel.
Remove the old motor by disconnecting the wires and unbolting it from the mounting bracket.
Connect the wires to the new motor according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Bolt the new motor to the mounting bracket.
Reconnecting the power to the garage door opener from the circuit breaker panel.
Test the garage door to make sure it is working properly.

Tips

Make sure to choose a new motor that is compatible with your garage door.
If you are not comfortable working with electrical wires, hire a qualified electrician to do the wiring.
Be careful not to overtighten the bolts when securing the motor to the mounting bracket.
Test the garage door several times to make sure it is working properly before you close it all the way.

Troubleshooting

If the garage door does not open or close, check the power supply and make sure that the motor is properly connected.
If the garage door opens or closes slowly, the motor may be damaged or the springs may need to be adjusted.
If the garage door makes a grinding noise when it opens or closes, the gears may be damaged or the motor may need to be lubricated.