What Garage Door Cables Do
On a torsion system, a steel cable runs from the bottom corner of the door up to a drum at each end of the bar above the door. When the spring turns the drum, the cable winds and lifts the door. Cables carry a large share of the door's weight.
Signs of a Bad Cable
- Frayed strands or rust spots
- A cable hanging loose near the drum
- One side of the door higher than the other
- A door that jams or will not lift
- A snapped cable after a spring break
Why Cables Break
Humidity rusts steel. Years of use fray the wire. A broken spring can whip a cable off the drum. Cables also wear when they rub against a track or bracket. Many manufacturers suggest replacing cables about every 10 years.
Why You Should Not Do This Yourself
A cable under load can recoil and injure. Many contractors also check the drum and spring balance during cable work. A cable fix without checking the spring often leads to a second failure.
Typical Garage Door Cable Repair Cost
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Replace one cable | $100 to $200 |
| Replace both cables | $150 to $250 |
| Replace cable and drum | $200 to $400 |
| Cable plus spring replacement | $250 to $500 |
Prices vary by contractor and door.