How To Lubricate And Change Garage Door Rollers

If your garage door suddenly sticks, falls down the tracks, or makes horrible squeaking noises when the door moves either up or down, then it is likely that the garage door rollers are in a state of disrepair. These rollers may need to be lubricated or replaced. Keep reading to learn how to complete both of these tasks.

Lubricating the Rollers

The rollers that are attached to your automatic garage door are made to help the door move up and down smoothly. Each roller contains a stem, a ball bearing, and an outer roller made from either steel or plastic. The rollers move along the track of the garage door, and sometimes debris within the track can cause issues with sticking or squeaking rollers. To see if this is the issue, use a car brake cleaning fluid that will rinse away dirt, grease, and other foreign debris. Just make sure to wear gloves and protective eyewear, because the material may be damaging to the skin. Spray a generous amount of the cleaner across the garage door tracks, and use a clean cloth to remove the cleaner and dirt. If cleaner residue is left behind, use your hose to rinse the tracks clean. 

Afterwards, lower the garage door and listen for squeaks. If the rollers continue to make noise and stick, then you should place a lubricant on each roller bearing. The bearing sits directly in the middle of each roller and you will need to use a silicone-free lubricant. Motor oil, like the one you use for your car, is a good lubricant for the bearings. You can place the oil in an oil can and use the end nozzle to apply the lubricant to the bearings or you can place a small bit of motor oil on a clean rag and gently rub each bearing with it. Once you apply the oil, raise and lower your garage door to see if it works better. If it does, then think about cleaning the track and lubricating the rollers every two or three months to keep the door moving smoothly.

Changing the Rollers

If cleaning and lubricating does not help with garage door movement, then think about replacing the rollers along the door. You may only need to replace a few of the rollers that are in poor condition. This is likely the case, since most garage door rollers are rated for 15,000 cycles, and they are typically able to stay strong for about 20 years. Specifically, rollers that do not spin or that are rusty or cracked along the plastic edge should be replaced, while the other rollers can be left alone. However, you will be unable to fully inspect each roller without removing them from the door. Most garage doors have one roller on the right and left side of each door section. If your door has six sections, then you will probably have around 12 rollers. Each one will be kept in place with a hinge on the inside of the door. Secure your door so it is all the way down and use a screwdriver to remove the screws from each hinge. Inspect each roller for damage.

Place all damaged or degraded rollers in a pile and take one roller to your local home store to find the necessary replacements. Replace the damaged rollers and also secure the undamaged ones back into place. Use a small amount of motor oil to lubricate the new rollers and screw all the hinges back into place. Try your garage door again. This should fix your garage door issue. If you still have a problem though, then think about contacting a garage door repair specialist, such as Overhead Door Of Akron, for assistance. 


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