A noisy garage door can be a serious disruption, especially if anyone is sleeping above or next to the garage. As long as the door is opening and closing properly, it is usually pretty simple to reduce the racket.

1. Tighten the nuts

With a socket wrench or adjustable wrench, tighten all nuts on the door and track. You want everything snug, but don’t over-tighten or strip the parts.

2. Replace the rollers

It is not uncommon for old metal rollers to make a lot of noise as they roll up and down the metal track. If you can clearly identify this as the source of the noise, or if the rollers just look worn down, consider replacing them.

A typical five-section garage door will require a dozen rollers. Consider using nylon rather than metal rollers, as they are quieter and don’t have to be lubricated on a regular basis. They also cost more—roughly $60 for a full set of nylon rollers versus $40 for metal.

Standard rollers have a 2-inch roller and a 4-inch stem, but measure yours before buying replacements. Replace the rollers one at a time. The whole job shouldn’t take more than an hour.

Caution: 

Garage doors use two different types of spring mechanisms to ease lifting and lowering. Extension springs are located above the upper tracks on both sides. Torsion springs are attached to the header directly above the closed door. If you have torsion springs, do not try to replace the rollers in the bottom bracket. Because they are always under tension, tampering with the bottom brackets could cause serious injury. This is a job for a professional only. Call Superior Door Service immediately!

3. Replace the hinges

Over time, the hole in the hinge that houses the roller stem can become worn. Inspect each of the hinges and replace any that have a hole that is more oblong than round. Our superior service technicians can assess this damage for you with a quick evaluation.

4. Replace the drive mechanism or entire doors

If you garage doors are warped, damaged or the whole system is aging. It might be time to consider replacing them. New garage doors come with new quieter technology, and they will give a great facelift to your curb appeal. Call us for an estimate to repair the damaged garage door panels and lifting mechanism or replace the garage doors.