Signs You Need to Replace or Repair Garage Door Cables
If one or both of your garage door cables have snapped, stop using your door immediately and call A1 Garage Door Service at (844) 236-8448. This is an obvious sign to make that call. Hopefully, you schedule a service before that happens, but here are a few things you should routinely look for:
- Misaligned door: If the door lurches, has fallen off track, or you hear scraping noises, chances are the door is misaligned. You’ll want to replace one or both of the cables.
- Malfunctioning Bearings: If the bearings aren’t working properly, they may wear down the cables. If you hear squeaking or grinding, check the bearings and replace the cable.
- Falling Cables: If your garage door cables are sagging or not winding around their drums, the torsion spring may have snapped. If so, replace both cables.
- Loud Noise: If you hear a loud bang and your door won’t move, the spring probably snapped. The snap will stretch and weaken the cables, you should replace them.
What Are the Types of Garage Door Cables?
There are typically four main types of garage door cables:
- Torsion spring cables: Used with overhead torsion springs; they wind and unwind on drums to lift the door evenly.
- Extension spring cables: Paired with side-mounted extension springs; they stretch and contract via pulleys, common in low-headroom setups.
- Safety cables (also called retaining cables): Backup cables threaded through extension springs to contain them if they break, preventing injury or damage.
- Emergency release cables: Red cords that disengage the automatic opener for manual operation during power outages or malfunctions.
Do you need to service lifting cables or specialized variants like high-lift cables? We service uncommon and rare cables too. When you see the signs, call us at (844) 236-8448. From what we see in the field, scheduling a garage door inspection and tune-up for $29.95 has saved a lot of people, a lot of money. Prevent disasters before they happen with A1 Garage Door Service.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Garage Door Cables?
The cost to hire A1 Garage Door Service for a professional cable replacement typically falls between $250 and $400. Final pricing depends on factors such as your door’s size, configuration, and any related repairs required for safe operation. Our trained technicians work around high-tension springs and ensure every component is correctly balanced and tested—giving you a safe, long-lasting repair and peace of mind. For the best value, pair upgraded cables with MaxLife springs rated for 80,000 cycles—16X longer than standard springs. This combination reduces future repairs, extends system life, and makes A1 Garage Door Service the most cost-effective choice for cable replacement and garage door repair
