Removing a Middle Panel From a Garage Door

Raise the garage door. Unplug the garage door opener from the electrical outlet in the garage ceiling. Cut two 18-inch-long rods from 1/2-inch steel rod using a hacksaw.

Insert one of the rods into one of winding cone's holes. Hold on to this rod firmly with one hand as you loosen the winding cone's set screws with a wrench in the other hand. When the set screws are loose, you will feel tension trying to pull the rod.

Allow the rod to be slowly pulled, exposing another hole beneath it. Insert the second rod into this hole. Hold on to the second rod firmly while you remove the first rod from its hole. Allow the second rod to slowly pull up, exposing another hole. Insert the first rod into this hole and remove the second rod. Continue to unwind the tension in this pattern.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 to release tension from the spring on the other side of the garage door. Pull the garage door's red cord to separate it from the motor and manually close it.

Secure a vise grips to both of the garage door tracks. If you are replacing the second panel up, position the vise grips below the third panel's bearings to hold the garage door up while you remove the panel. If you are replacing the third panel, place the vise grips below the fourth panel's bearings.

Back out the bolts holding the bottom panel to the second panel with a socket wrench. Maneuver the panel out of the tracks and set it aside. Back out the bolts holding the second panel to the third panel and remove it from the tracks. If you are removing the third panel, back out the bolts holding it to the fourth panel and remove it from the tracks.

Prepare the new garage door panel according to the manufacturer's directions. Insert the wheels on each side into the tracks. Lift up the hinge and secure it to the panel above it, holding the new panel in place. Put any remaining panels back into the tracks and secure them in place with the bolts you removed in Step 6.

Reverse Step 3 to rewind the garage door springs. Turn each winding cone seven or eight turns to give the springs the proper tension. Tighten the winding cones' set screws.

Lift the garage door up manually until it catches in the garage door motor. Plug the motor back into the electrical plug. Open and close the garage door to test its operation.