How to measure garage door torsion spring

Our core mission is to provide the correct torsion spring or extension spring for your application. From normal springs to customized springs, we promises the right spring for your application. Let us match your requirements to the correct Garage door Spring solution. Following the steps below will help in getting the correct dimensions.

Step 1: Determine the wind direction of the garage door spring

Look at the end of the spring to determine the wind direction. If the end of the spring points in the clockwise direction it is left-wound and if the end of the spring points in the counter-clockwise direction, it is right-wound. On most garage door springs, wind direction is also indicated by the color of the winding cones — black indicates a left-wound spring while red indicates a right-wound spring.

Step 2: Measure the overall length of the garage door torsion spring

You need to determine the length of the unwound spring, but you don't need to unwind the garage door spring to measure the length.

If your torsion spring is unbroken and unwound, simply measure the length of the spring. Measure from the first coil on one end of the spring to the last coil on the other end of the spring. Do not include the cones themselves in your measurement, but include the coils that are on the cone.

Step 3: Measure the Torsion spring’s wire size

Wire size is the thickness of the wire used to make the garage door spring. The only accurate way to measure wire size is to measure 10 and 20 turns. Since the coils rub against each other as the garage door operates, the sides of the coils are less affected by corrosion. Also, when the garage door spring is painted, the paint does not get between the coils. 10 and 20 coil measurements are very accurate.

To measure 10 coils, insert the end of the tape measure between two coils, or hang the tape measure over the end of the spring if there is no cone on the garage door spring. Then, count to 10 loops and pull the tape up to where the 10th and 11th loops meet. Measured to the nearest 16 inches. Note that the hook at the end of the tape measure has slots for measuring the outside and inside dimensions. Since you're measuring the outside dimensions of the coil, you'll need to pull the tape measure away from the end to get the correct length. Pushing the tape measure into the end of the ruler will give you a longer length, usually 1/16 inch more. Record the measurements on a piece of paper. (When measuring, make sure all coils are compressed. If there are gaps between the tape measure) coils, you will be measuring wrong and ordering the wrong garage door spring. )

Next, measure the width of 20 coils. We measured 20 coils because this is more accurate and removes errors from coil counting. Record the measurements for 20 coils. This reading should be double the 10 coil reading. If not, go back and re-measure the 10 and 20 coils.

After you measure, you can tell us the result and we will help you to check the result and tell you the sizes. If you still don't know how to measure, we will help you and teach you. Feel free to contact me.

Step 4: Measure the inside diameter of the garage door spring

The inside diameter of a garage door torsion spring can be difficult to measure when the garage door spring is on the shaft, so it is better to look for markings on the winding and stationary cones. The more common inside diameters will have "1 3/4" or "2" or "3 3/4"(Unit:inch), as pictured below.

If you can't find any of these marks, use a caliper or ruler to measure the inside diameter to the nearest 1/16 of an inch. Be careful: if you bend the tape measure so that it goes around the shaft, you will most likely get wrong measurements and the garage door spring you ordered will not work properly.