Garage door issue

[b21playa]

Hi all

I have an old up & over garage door that has come off it runner on one side but also has a lot of tension in it when trying to open it. There’s no access from inside at all and thought I’d locked myself in as struggled to get it open again from inside.

Before I go and spend money on a new door (reluctant as it’s up for sale and will most likely get converted), any ideas what could be causing this and if it’s fixable.

Thanks in advance

 

[Burnerman]

Does this door have the tapered bobbins on either side, with the cables that attach to the door midway?
I'd suggest that one of the cables has come off the bobbin or even snapped........if it's that sort of door!
John

 

[b21playa]

Does this door have the tapered bobbins on either side, with the cables that attach to the door midway?
I'd suggest that one of the cables has come off the bobbin or even snapped........if it's that sort of door!
John

Yes it had some sort of bobbin on the end and the cables seemed loose.

 

[Burnerman]

I think it would be a good idea to identify the particular door......a common one is the Henderson Merlin, and happily spares are available.
Does it have a large spring on the top of the door frame, for example?
John

 

[b21playa]

I think it would be a good idea to identify the particular door......a common one is the Henderson Merlin, and happily spares are available.
Does it have a large spring on the top of the door frame, for example?
John

I’ll take a look for make/model next weekend (don’t live there)

Yes it had a massive torsion spring on the top

 

[nickjb]

Does sound like the cable has come off. They are a pain but relatively easy to fix. If it is the same as mine then you'll probably need a new cable as they get kinked. You'll also need an allen key (3 or 4mm iirc, folding set is handy) and possibly 2 winding tools. A bit of 8 mm rod is ideal but screwdrivers do work. Basically the torsion spring is free at one end and fixed at the other. You can lock it in place with a grub screw then undo the bobbin with another grub screw to rewind the cable then tighten it back up and unlock the spring. You might get away without having to re-tension the spring using the winding tools.

 

[Burnerman]

Good call, Nick!
Other things to look out for......
The bobbins are handed and often coloured for recognition
The bobbins are fixed to the shaft with a roll pin
Don't release the spring without locking it first - there's one hell of a lot of energy stored there!
John