I need to replace the frayed lifting cables on my garage door. The issue is that my setup with the pulleys is kind of unusual, making the cables a non-standard length. I'm considering buying a longer wire rope and securing the non-looped ends with three cable clamps on each side. I've found some studies showing that correctly installed clamps can achieve around 80% of the nominal tensile strength, but I keep seeing warnings like 'never use cable clamps for overhead lifting.' If I factor in a conservative strength estimate of 60%, my safety factor seems solid. Here's my calculation: 2 cables (one per side) with a 1400lb rated wire rope and the garage door only weighing 150lbs gives me a safety factor of 11.2. What do you all think? Any advice or corrections? Thanks!
3 Answers
Those springs and cables can be very dangerous, and improper handling can lead to serious injuries. If you’re not fully confident in doing this yourself, it’s best to call in a professional. Just a tip: these are extension springs, and when the door is open, there’s no tension on them, which makes things a bit easier, but still, safety first!
Put the calculator down for a sec. Cable clamps can loosen over time and do little to stop the cable from fraying. Honestly, using the proper cable ferrule and a crimper with the right torque is the way to go. And that’s coming from someone who's been around garage doors with torsion springs before.
I’d definitely heed that advice about not using cable clamps for overhead lifting. It might seem like a straightforward solution, but safety should come first. You might want to consider a more secure method to attach those cables instead of risking it with clamps.
I appreciate the concern! Just to clarify, yes, these are extension springs so they shouldn't pose the same risk. I still want to be careful, though.