Name: Aaron Overhead Doors
Telephone: 831-219-8648
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What Homeowners from Monterey to Santa Cruz Need to Know About Garage Door Springs

If your garage door’s acting up, there’s a good chance worn-out springs are the culprit. It’s a common issue we see all the time because of the the salty air of Monterey to the quiet neighborhoods of Santa Cruz. We get calls about broken or struggling springs nearly every day. If you’re hearing strange noises, feeling resistance, or the door just won’t open smoothly, it’s time to take a closer look before it turns into a bigger, more expensive problem.

Signs, Safety Tips & Repair Costs in Monterey & Santa Cruz

As a garage door company that’s worked on countless garage doors along the Central Coast, we can tell you: when those springs fail, you’ll know something’s not right. But homeowners often describe the problem in different ways, and it’s not always obvious that the springs are the culprit.

First, What Do Garage Door Springs Do?

Your garage door springs are responsible for lifting the heavy weight of the door. Even if your opener is doing the “pulling,” it’s the springs that do most of the heavy lifting.

There are two main types:

Torsion Springs (mounted above the door)
Extension Springs (mounted along the sides)

Most newer homes use torsion springs because they’re safer and last longer. Either way, when a spring breaks or loses tension, your door isn’t going to work properly or at all.

What Homeowners Say When Springs Are the Problem

Here’s how folks from Monterey, Pacific Grove, Capitola, Salinas and Santa Cruz often describe the problem when they call us:

“My garage door won’t open all the way.”
“It started making a loud bang, and now it’s stuck.”
“The motor runs, but the door doesn’t move.”
“I tried to open it manually and it’s super heavy—like something’s wrong.”
“One side looks lower than the other.”

All of these are signs that a spring may be broken, worn out, or off balance.

Signs You Might Have a Broken Garage Door Spring

Here are some common symptoms we see:

A loud snap or bang when the spring breaks (people often think something hit the house)
Door only lifts a few inches or not at all
Garage door looks crooked or uneven when it tries to open
Cables look loose or are hanging down
The door slams shut or closes faster than usual

A broken spring can happen without warning, especially if it’s reached the end of its cycle life. Most springs are rated for 10,000 cycles. Every time you open and close the door counts as one.

Can You Open the Garage Door with a Broken Spring?

Technically, yes but you really shouldn’t.

You could seriously injure yourself or damage your opener. Garage doors can weigh over 150 pounds, and without the spring to help counterbalance the weight, it’s dangerous to lift manually. Some homeowners try it, but it’s often not worth the risk.

If your car is stuck inside and you’re in a pinch, we recommend calling a professional. We’ve helped plenty of folks from Carmel to Scotts Valley get their car out safely with an emergency spring repair.

How Much Does Garage Door Spring Repair Cost?

Here on the Central Coast, spring replacement typically runs between $200–$400, depending on the type of spring and whether both need replacing.

Why replace both springs? If one broke, the other isn’t far behind. Replacing both at the same time saves you time, money, and another service call down the road.

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?

Most springs last about 7 to 12 years, depending on how often you use the door. If you use it more than a few times a day, like coming and going multiple times for work, school, or errands, your springs will wear out faster.

If you want longer-lasting springs, ask about high-cycle springs rated for 20,000 or more cycles. They cost a bit more up front but last much longer.

When to Call a Garage Door Pro

Garage door spring replacement isn’t a DIY job. These springs are under a ton of tension, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, they can cause serious injury. We always recommend having a trained technician handle it.

We’ve seen it all. Rusted springs in the beach air near Marina, springs snapping during temperature swings in Aptos, or noisy springs causing headaches in Salinas. Wherever you are, help is close by.

What You Can Do as a Homeowner

Here are a few things you can do to help your springs last longer:

Lubricate them regularly with garage door spray (not WD-40)
Watch for rust, especially if you live close to the ocean
Listen for noise changes—squeaking or grinding can signal wear
Schedule a tune-up once a year to catch common problems early

If your garage door isn’t opening or something just doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. A broken or weak spring isn’t just annoying, it can be dangerous. Whether you’re in Carmel Valley or Watsonville, the local pros at Aaron Overhead Doors have been around since 1968 helping you get your garage door working safely again.