Garage Door Repair Lincoln, NE

A homeowner in Lincoln, NE, called Omaha Garage Door Repair with a common garage door problem—their opener was having trouble lifting the garage door. They were positive the chain was to blame because it had been creating a horrible screeching noise every time the door shut. However, when our technician arrived, a closer inspection revealed that the chain had loosened and the front sprocket had snapped due to excessive wear. We promptly ordered a replacement part for their opener model and scheduled a second visit for installation and setup. We returned a few days later to replace the worn sprocket and gear and calibrate and set up the garage door opener. The homeowner was overjoyed with the garage door repair.

Although garage door openers are engineered to function for years, broken parts and components are among the most typical repairs homeowners must deal with. The gear and sprocket, for example, are responsible for connecting the belt or chain to the motor. Unfortunately, this part may become damaged over time due to constant use and wear, especially if the springs are worn out. The result is a loose chain.

Issues Leading to a Loose Garage Door Opener Chain

Garage door opener chains are exceptionally sturdy and rarely break. However, in rare cases, the cable will fail in systems that combine chain and cable drive system. The most prevalent causes of cable loosening or breaking are listed below.

Broken gear or sprocket

If your garage door opener’s chain appears loose or broken, it is likely due to a broken gear or sprocket. This component is the garage door opener part that connects the motor to the chain or belt. Wrong tension setting on the chain during installation and climatic changes in your area might cause gear and sprocket failure. Also, the age of the opener might be another reason.

The gear and sprocket assembly is located inside the cover of the motor, and a skilled garage door repair specialist should perform this. Removing the cover reveals the electronic components, which can be easily damaged if you do not know what you are doing and void any manufacturer warranties. Furthermore, the travel limits and force restrictions may need to be adjusted after installing the new gear and sprocket.

Broken front sprocket

The front sprocket breaking is another common cause of a slack chain. The front sprocket is located at the garage door opening at the end of the opener rail. This sprocket, as well as the gear and sprocket at the motor, is wrapped in the chain. The cost of replacing a front sprocket depends on the brand of the opener and the service fee. Call a local garage door repair company if you are unsure how to diagnose the problem.

What Causes the Gear and Sprocket to Break?

A garage door will lose strength as time, wear-and-tear may take its toll, and the top plate supporting the spring will deteriorate over time. These factors cause the components to experience more stress than intended. When this occurs, one of two things may happen: either the chain or belt connecting it may snap or fray out, or the bushing atop the top plate may fail.

The chain or belt becomes slack when the top plate bushings collapse, increasing friction on the gear and sprocket. This defect will eventually result in the sprocket breaking off. When this happens, the chain or belt will look broken.

Garage Door Repair Near Me

Welcome to Omaha Garage Door Repair, the top provider of garage door solutions in Lincoln, NE, and the surrounding communities. We are a family-owned company committed to offering our clients the best garage door repair services. Our services include garage door installation and maintenance. We also serve homes and businesses with garage door opener repair services, such as gear and sprocket replacement, and more. No matter what your garage door needs, we can help. Contact Omaha Garage Door Repair today and ask for free estimates.