Wondering How to Maintain or Replace Your Garage Door Rollers? Here is What Seasoned Installers Do

A man showing how to lubricate garage door rollers

Are you starting to hear squeaking when you use your garage door? You might need to have your rollers lubricated. It could also mean that your rollers are worn out and need to be changed, which is something you do not want to put off.

The garage door rollers are responsible for supporting weight when the door opens and closes. With all the weight of the door, they will eventually start to wear out and need to be replaced.

Image from a video > Through the course of its life a garage door opens & closes 20,000 times

Were you aware? A single opening and closing of a garage door is called a cycle.

Image from a video> 20,000 opening and 20,000 closing of a garage door is the equivalent of travalling up and down the Everest 5 times

Your garage door works hard. Watch this video to see exactly what your garage door does.

Because of the work the garage door must do, you need to make sure that you are maintaining the door and rollers properly. This will help to extend its life. When maintained, it will work better and be quieter and smoother. It also helps to ensure safety for you and your family. Keep your eyes and ears on the door and rollers.

Below, a professional garage door technician will help you understand the steps needed to better maintain the rollers. The professionals know when to replace them and how to replace them safely and properly.

First –What Kind of Garage Door Rollers Do You Have on Your Garage Door?

Here are 3 types of garage door roller:

  • Black Rubber : These work well for doors less than 10’wide. They do not have ball bearings.
  • Steel : These do have ball bearings, and the rollers will ideally have at least 10.
  • Nylon : A benefit of nylon is that they are quieter. They can work for single and double doors, and have 12 ball bearings.

2-inch Nylon rollers for residential overhead garage door

The vast majority of residential doors have 2” diameter rollers.

Before Starting to Work, Always Cut Off the Power!

A yellow sign of saying Safety First

The first thing that needs to be done is to turn off the power. Then, you still must unplug the garage door opener.

If the power is on, it could result in a severe injury or even death. Turning off the power and unplugging it the smart thing to do.

How to Lubricate Your Garage Door Rollers?

Regardless of the type of rollers, DO NOT USE OIL LUBRICANTS!

Although the door is squeaking, oil lubricants are degreasers. Your rollers need to have grease to operate properly.

Image of lubricant recommended for tracks, hinges, springs, and rollers

Instead, use a silicone-based lubricate for your rollers, unless they are steel.

  • Steel Rollers : The ball bearings on the innermost part of the rollers should be lubricated.
  • Nylon Rollers that have Exposed Bearings : You can add the lubricant on the outside of the roller outside, as well as where the shaft connects to them.
  • Nylon Rollers with Sealed Ball Bearings : This is a great option because they do not need lubrication and can last forever.


Remember!

  • Use the straw included with the lubricant can
  • Add thin coats of lubricant
  • Use a clean cloth to wipe off excess lubricant IMMEDIATELY
  • You want the rollers to roll, not slide on the track
  • It is a good idea to perform maintenance at 6-month intervals

Lubricate the Rest:

  • Hinge
  • Locks
  • Arm Bars
  • Bearing Plates
  • Springs need lubrication, but you should not do it if you are the homeowner! It should only be handled by professionals since the springs are under high tension. They are dangerous. Let your garage door maintenance handle it instead.

Should You Go with Nylon or Steel?

What is the right choice for you? Nylon or steel rollers 🤔?

When it comes to nylon garage door rollers, you will find they are costlier, but they also have the benefits below:

  • Quieter
  • Tougher
  • Will last more than 10 years.

According to Tim, from GarageTransformed , steel rollers have some drawbacks:

  • Noisy
  • They can ruse and corrode
  • Need to have more maintenance
  • Will only last about 3 to 5 years

How Certified Garage Door Technicians Replace Garage Door Rollers?

Warning sign

Safety Message : Do not replace the rollers yourself. Get help from a professional.

Bolts used to secure the garage door to the bottom fixture should NEVER be loosened. NEVER remove the cable from the bottom fixture either.

Failure to heed these warnings may cause the SPRING TO SNAP. The door might jam, or it could even call. This could causedamage to your property, injuries, or even death. This is a warning!

Replacing the garage door rollers can be dangerous because of two main factors:

  • The garage door’s weight
  • Spring tension

If the rollers need to be replaced, you probably have other problems with your garage door, too. You should always contact your local garage door & opener technician to help with maintenance and replacement.

No 1 – The garage door opener needs to be unplugged

This ensures no one accidentally activates the door while you are working on it.

No 2 – We use a winding bar to unwind the springs

The hinges and rollers should be replaced when the door is "down" . However, the springs must be unwound prior to this.

We can use a Vis-grip on the springs shaft, which can ensure the cable is locked in place.

No 3 – We take off the garage door rollers

  • We start by loosening screws from the hinge that holds the roller
  • We use a hammer to tap the hinge out
  • ESSENTIAL – After removing the first hinge and roller, it needs to be replaced before removing another. They are are holding the door in place.
  • We take off the old rollers

No 4 – Adding the new garage door roller

  • We ensure we carefully slide the roller into the right hole
  • We tip the roller to get it back into the track correctly
  • We place the hinge over the bolt holes
  • It is a good idea to use Loctites or larger screws
  • From the outside, we will then tap the bolts back through the hinge holes – once this is done, we can then tighten the nut

The steps should be followed and repeated for each roller. After they’ve all been replaced, you can move to the next step.

No 5 – We wind the springs to the point of their original tension

  • We make adjustments if needed
  • We remove the vice grip

You Want Professionals Handling Your Garage Door Rollers Replacement and Your Garage Door Maintenance?

Professionals are the best choice.

The garage door presents a substantial amount of danger, and it’s not something you want to try to fix on your own. It takes knowledge, skill, and the right tools.

Contact us at 1-877-342-4666.

We know garage doors and openers, and we have a skilled team ready to help.

We can provide you with a tune-up service and handle all your questions regarding garage doors and openers. Check out our services and repairs.

Do you know what you need? We can offer an email quote.

Need a replacement?

Find your dream garage door here.

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