How To Tighten Cable On Garage Door

Over time, cables on garage doors can stretch or become loose. When this happens, the door may begin to malfunction or even fall off track. Tightening the cables is a relatively simple task that can be completed in just a few minutes.

Tools You’ll Need

Adjustable wrench
Ladder
Safety glasses

Step-by-Step Instructions

Gather your tools and safety gear.

Before you begin, make sure you have all of the tools and safety gear you need. This includes an adjustable wrench, a ladder, and safety glasses. 2.

Inspect the cables.

Before you tighten the cables, inspect them for any damage. If you see any frayed or broken wires, you should replace the cables before attempting to tighten them. 3.

Locate the turnbuckles.

Turnbuckles are the devices that are used to adjust the tension on the cables. They are typically located at the top of the door, near the drums. 4.

Loosen the locking nuts.

Using an adjustable wrench, loosen the locking nuts on the turnbuckles. This will allow you to adjust the tension on the cables. 5.

Tighten the turnbuckles.

Turn the turnbuckles clockwise to tighten the cables. You should tighten the cables until they are snug, but not too tight. 6.

Retighten the locking nuts.

Once the cables are tight, retighten the locking nuts on the turnbuckles. This will help to keep the cables in place. 7.

Test the door.

Once the cables are tightened, test the door to make sure it is working properly. The door should open and close smoothly without any jerking or binding.

Tips

If you are not comfortable tightening the cables yourself, you can call a qualified garage door technician to do it for you.
Tightening the cables too tightly can damage the door or the cables themselves. If you are unsure how tight the cables should be, it is best to err on the side of caution and tighten them less rather than more.
If you have a heavy garage door, you may need to replace the cables every few years to ensure that they are strong enough to support the weight of the door.