Chain driven garage door openers are very strong. It is rare that the chain will actually break. Many times you will find that it is not operating properly because it has a broken gear or socket or is just rusted. Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Kansas City, KS can assist you in troubleshooting a broken garage door chain.
Troubleshooting a Broken Garage Door Chain
After unplugging the motor, pull the chain and inspect it for damage of any kind. Next, you want to check the wiring and make sure it’s not a motor problem or rust in the carriage assembly. You can also soak the chain in lubricant at this time to see if that corrects the problem.
How to Stay Safe When Making The Repair
If you find that the chain does need to be replaced, make sure all power to the opener remains off. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. And have someone assisting you as you’re working. We have technicians that can make this repair for you.
How to Take Down The Garage Door Opener
To get started, you will need to remove the garage door opener. This is the only way to get the chain off of the unit.
- Pull the emergency release cord.
- Disconnect the power.
- Take the fastener ring off of the arm to disconnect from the trolley.
- Remove the clevis pin.
- Lower the arms and let them lay against the door.
- Take the cover off of the light to get to the safety sensors.
- Take a picture of the wires on the safety sensor and the wall control.
- Remove the wires from the unit.
- Replace the cover.
- Take off the locks, washers, and bolts.
- Have a helper be available to support the opener when you disconnect it.
- Take the fastener ring off of the bracket clevis pin.
How to Remove the Chain
Once you have the opener on the floor, you can tackle removing the chain. Here is what you will need to do:
- Take the outer trolley off of the inner trolley.
- Take a marker and mark the position of the inner trolley so that you can put it back together the way it was.
- Remove the outer nut.
- Take out the threaded shaft.
- Remove the chain.
- Use something to pray away the master link clip-on spring.
- Remove the master link bar.
- Take out the idler pulley bolt.
- Remove the chain from the rail.
- Take the threaded shaft off of the chain.
- Take the chain and cable assembly off completely.
How to Install the New Chain
Now is the time for you to install the new chain. Here is what you will need to do:
- Push 12 inches of the cable through the rail window.
- Add grease to the pulley.
- Push the idler pulley through the rail window.
- Line up the mounting hole.
- Replace the pulley bolt and tighten up the nut.
- Be sure that the pulley can spin easily once you have tightened the nut.
- Re-connect the chain by pushing the pins through the cable link as well as the trolley slot.
- Put the clip-on spring on the master link cap.
- Use the mark you made earlier to position the inner trolley.
- Re-align the chain and cable on the rail.
- Connect the trolley onto the shaft that is threaded.
- Replace the inner lock washer.
- Don’t twist the chain in the process.
Replace the Garage Door Opener
After you have replaced the chain, you will need to replace the garage door opener. Use the instructions on your opener manual to replace the opener. Once you have the opener re-installed, you should test the door to see if it works.
Contact Us To Replace Your Chain
If you need to have the chain replaced and cannot do it on your own, call Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Kansas City, Kansas so that we can handle the problem for you. Our technicians are able to make the replacement quickly and safely. Call us now so we can get someone out to you.
