Repairing a Sagging Chain on a Garage Door Opener

An automatic garage door opener makes lifting a heavy garage door manually a thing of the past. The opener houses an electric motor and is usually mounted to the garage ceiling. A chain drive connects the motor to a trolley that is attached to the garage door. When the opener is activated, the trolley slides along a rail and opens or closes the door. A chain that has become loose may cause excessive sprocket noise, which may eventually cause the opener to malfunction.

Flat head screwdriver
Wrench set

Instructions

- 1
  Close the garage door. Pull down on the release knob to disengage the trolley and the garage door from the rail.
- 2
  Locate the turnbuckle -- a device with lock nuts that allow for chain adjustment -- mounted within the length of the chain along the rail mounted to the garage ceiling.
- 3
  Insert the end of a flat head screwdriver into the slot on the turnbuckle to keep it from twisting while the lock nuts are loosened.
- 4
  Loosen the lock nuts on each end of the turnbuckle in a counterclockwise direction with a wrench.
- 5
  Use the handle of the flat head screwdriver to twist the turnbuckle in a counterclockwise direction. Continue twisting the turnbuckle until it is slightly above and not touching the rail.
- 6
  Continue to hold the flat head screwdriver in the slot on the turnbuckle. Tighten the lock nuts with a wrench in a clockwise direction then remove the screwdriver.
- 7
  Activate the garage door opener so that the trolley reconnects with the track. Test the operation of the door by activating the opener.

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