disconnecting cable wire from a garador door

[SS]

I have a garador garage door (20 years old) one of the springs has broken and I have purchased a set of pre loaded springs, before I fit this how can I safely release the tension from the unbroken spring in order to retrieve the cable, instructions from the internet suggest just snip this one however I want to save it without doing this. It is attached at the lower end on to an elongated C clip with a groove where the cable end should be able to slip out...IF I can control the tension.

Any help appreciated. thanks

It is an up and over door with the springs located in a metal box horizontal above the door fixed to the door frame.

[A.Lee]

If I remember correctly, there is a hook around 3 inches away from the attachment point of the existing spring. You attach something with a hooked end over the spring end, pull it to release it from its anchor point, then hook it over the hooked point on the frame. It is a little awkward, but isnt too bad. It helps if you have someone handy with a long screwdriver, as I found the hardest bit was getting the released end over the frame point to get it held. You dont release all of the tension when doing this.

Alan.

[Tim Lamb]

There is a flat metal tag mounted on top of the pulley which engages in a slot in the top of the metal box. I have only done this with the box removed from the garage and secured in a vice. I think the initial release was by gripping the cable with a Mole wrench (should this item be added to the list headed by angle grinder?) creating some slack by pulling the wire with a gloved hand and releasing the loop from the door spigot.

Once secured in a vice (use a suitable bolt through the top securing mount and grip that in the vice jaws) the cable can be pulled with a metal bar through the loop. You need an assistant to engage the tag.

How have they *pre-tensioned the springs*?

You only get one shot at re-fitting so it pays to have an assistant standing by to stop the tag re-engaging the slot as you try to release the spring. The cable is very keen to jump out of the pulley groove so try to pull the cable towards the door frame rather than into the garage. Use GLOVES!

regards

[Invisible Man]

I seem to remember a lot of time with a pair of screwdrivers in various holes to let go or increase spring tension.

[SS]

Ok now sorted thanks for your input guys. A bit scary but got there in the end.