Why You Should Slightly Stretch Garage Door Springs After Winding

Garage Door Parts OKC – Serving OKC and Edmond with Quality Parts

When installing or replacing garage door springs, specifically torsion springs, most people focus solely on the winding process—but there’s a small, often overlooked trick that can make a big difference in how your door operates: slightly stretching the spring after winding.

At Garage Door Parts OKC, we don’t just sell parts—we help you understand how to get the most out of them.

What Does "Stretching the Spring" Mean?

Once you've wound your garage door spring to the correct number of turns (based on door height and spring size), you may notice the spring starts to buckle or bow out slightly in some areas. This is because a wound spring is very slightly longer than when it was unwound. To compensate for this expansion, we very slightly stretch the spring after winding is complete.

This simple move aligns the coil tension more evenly and gives your spring a better starting point for movement.

Why Bother Stretching After Winding?

Here are the key benefits:

✅ Smoother Door Operation

A stretched spring unwinds more symmetrically, leading to smoother, more consistent lift and descent of the door.

✅ Reduces Jerky Movement

Without a slight stretch, some doors may jerk or “jump” when first opening or closing. Stretching helps distribute the initial force more evenly.

✅ Maximizes Spring Life

Even tension helps reduce uneven wear. This small adjustment can potentially extend the life of your garage door springs, especially under high-cycle use.

✅ Helps With Noise Reduction

A stretched spring often produces less creaking and popping, especially in colder months when metal contraction becomes a factor.

How to Do It

After winding your spring to the correct number of turns:

Prior to tightening down the set screws, carefully take one winding bar and tap it against the other (one currently still in the spring's cone). Typically only ¼” to ½” is needed.

If the spring isn't moving at all, try tilting the winding bar that's currently in the cone towards the center bearing a little. Repeat the tapping step.

After stretching, tighten the set screws down like normal.

⚠️ Safety Warning: Always handle springs with extreme caution. If you’re unsure, consult a professional or contact us for assistance. You can get very hurt working on springs.

Buy Garage Door Springs in OKC or Edmond

If you're in the Oklahoma City or Edmond area and need to buy garage door springs, torsion bars, drums, or cables—we’ve got you covered. At Garage Door Parts OKC, we carry high-quality springs in a variety of wire sizes and lengths, all at affordable local prices.

🏠 Same-day local delivery

📍 Serving: OKC, Edmond, Moore, Norman, and beyond