Garage Door Cables: Function, Importance, and Replacement

Dec 11, 2024

Garage door cables are essential to the performance of your garage door. They ensure your door opens and closes smoothly, efficiently, and more importantly, safely. Should your cables fail, you can find yourself in a very dangerous situation. The goal of this page is to explain what the cables actually do and why they are important, and how to determine when they need to be replaced.

What Do Garage Door Cables Actually Do?

Many people have no idea what garage door cables actually do, they just know it’s part of the garage operating system. Garage door cables connect the spring line to the garage door. The cables connect to the door at the bottom brackets which are located on each side of the door.

Their purpose is to bear the weight of the garage and run in tandem across from one another while being fixed onto the shaft at the same point.

Why Are Garage Door Cables Important?

The cables hook up to the drums connected to the torsion shaft above your door. Each is having force exerted by the wound up springs. The spring line components (drums, cables, springs, and torsion shaft ) each work together to do 2 main jobs:

  1. Counterbalance the weight of the garage door
  2. Keep the door level during operation

Without the cables and the spring line components working in sync, you will experience counterbalance issues and your door may not actually sit level when closed. 

Time For A Cable Replacement?

Determining factors of whether or not it may not be time to replace your cables include visible fraying/damage, one side seems to be exerting more force than the other, the door is visibly imbalanced, or the door will not close all the way. Each of these could be urgent warning signs it’s time to replace your cables, likely with varying urgency. 

Out of all the issues you could have with your door, issues with your cables are the most dangerous. If one or both cable systems fail and snap, they tend to explode resulting in tiny pieces of metal flying through the air at high speeds including the cable(s) flying through the air like a metal whip. With that being said, should you notice any of the warning signs, give us a call ASAP to come out for a replacement. We will be able to safely identify and address the issue. 

Gables needing repair for garage door

Having other issues? Look at our other resources for potential help

What’s the Average Garage Door Size? New Garage Door Guide

There are many garage door sizes out there and finding the right one can be overwhelming. How many options are available for my space? Can I select the color, windows, material, etc.? How much does the cost vary if I were to customize?... the list goes on. ...

Keep Your Garage Cool This Summer!

As summer quickly approaches, it’s essential you keep your garage at a stable temperature for a few reasons. Keeping your garage set at a stable temperature will allow your equipment to function properly, keep your interior walls from warping, and most importantly -...

Garage Door Won’t Open?

Is your garage currently stuck closed and you’re not sure what to do? The likely culprits include a locked door, a dead clicker, the door is off track, broken springs, or loss of power to the motor. Luckily, the most common issues can be resolved without the help of a...

Insulated vs Uninsulated Garages

Whether you have an existing garage or are looking to build soon, you likely have considered insulation. Depending on a few factors, there definitely are pros and cons of investing in insulation. Let’s explore both. Pros Of Insulated Garages Comfortability Whether you...

Got Dents? A Guide To Repairing Garage Door Dents

Have you discovered dents in your garage door and not sure how or if you should repair these? The goal of this article is to help you identify if the dents can be repaired yourself at home and if so, give you DIY tips on repairing those dents. While every dent is...

Why is My Garage Motor Beeping?

Are you noticing a beeping sound coming from your motor? Even if it doesn't seem like a big deal, it can get annoying and might be a warning for more issues. There really are only two main reasons your motor would be beeping - issues with one or both sensors or your...

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last? 

There are two main styles of garage door springs - extension and torsion springs. Each spring style has their own lifespan that can be shortened or extended based on a couple factors. Factors include usage, how the springs are made, how they are installed, and how...

How Do Garage Door Springs Work?

There are two main types of springs - extension springs and torsion springs. While both are used to assist in the operation of the garage door, extension springs are mainly a thing of the past and torsion springs are now more common. Let’s explore both and how they...

Lubrication – A Guide To A Properly Lubricated Garage Door

Having a properly lubricated door is essential for your garage door to work properly. Proper lubrication will extend the life of your equipment by decreasing the wear and tear, which ultimately will save you money in the long run. In addition, your garage door will...

Why Choose Today Garage Door Services? 

Are you looking for a garage repair service and not sure which company to choose? Look no further than Today Garage Door Services. There are several reasons why we have some of the highest Google Reviews in the industry and a near 100% satisfaction rate. Let’s go over...
Table of Contents