How to Set the Coil Springs Tension on an Overhead Garage Door

Raise the overhead door all the way up to take the tension off the springs. Place a 6-foot stepladder under the bottom edge of the door to keep it propped up during the spring tensioning process.

Grasp one of the coil springs mounted perpendicular to the garage door opening near the ceiling -- one is included on each side. Note that the springs should hang loose and be under no tension with the door fully raised.

Unhook the spring from the hanger bracket mounted on the ceiling away from the door opening. Place the hook in the spring in the next highest hole if the door closed too quickly, indicating there was not enough spring tension. Place the hook in the spring in the next lowest hole if the door opened too quickly, indicating there was too much spring tension.

Unhook the spring from the hanging bracket on the other side of the door opening and place its hook in the same hole as you did on the opposite spring and bracket.

Remove the stepladder and test the operation of the door. Open the door a few inches and place a 3-foot level on the underside of its bottom edge. If the bubble in the level is not between the two lines, the door is off-balance side-to-side.

Open the door completely and place the stepladder back under its bottom edge. Remove the spring from its bracket on the low side of the door and place it in the next highest hole. Remove the ladder and close the door to within a few inches. Place the level on the bottom edge. Repeat this procedure until the bottom of the door is level and it does not open or close too quickly.