Whether you raise and lower your garage door manually or you have an electric door opener, regular attention to the rollers and tracks keeps the door operating properly. With daily use, over time the rollers wear out or need lubricating, and the tracks can become misaligned. This causes the door to drag or bind, making it harder and harder to raise and lower. If you take the time to give the rollers and tracks a yearly checkup, you can prevent potential problems and keep your garage door operating smoothly.
1
Remove your vehicles or any other items that may make it difficult for you to reach the garage door rollers and tracks. While inside the garage, close the door. Set up a step ladder to inspect the rollers and tracks.
2
Examine all the rollers and replace any that are worn. If the rollers are metal with unsealed bearings, brush around the bearings with an old toothbrush to dislodge any buildup of grease and dirt and then wipe away the debris with a clean rag. Spray silicone spray oil on the bearings. If the rollers are nylon with sealed bearings, no lubrication is necessary. Spray the lubricant into and around the stems of the rollers.
3
Inspect all the nuts and bolts holding the roller hinges and the track mounting brackets in place. Tighten the loose parts and replace all rusted or worn nuts and bolts.
4
Clean the inside of the tracks with an old toothbrush to dislodge any buildup of grease, grime or dirt. Spray disc brake cleaner into the tracks and then wipe out the tracks with a clean rag to remove the cleaner and debris.
5
Check the alignment of the horizontal tacks. Rest a level along the top of the tracks. For proper operation, the tracks must slant slightly from the opening toward the back wall of the garage. Both tracks must also hang the same distance from the ceiling. If adjustments are necessary, loosen the bolts holding the track mounting brackets, carefully tap the track into position with a rubber mallet, and then tighten the bolts.
6
Check the alignment of the vertical tracks. Hold the level along each track and check for plumb. If adjustments are necessary, loosen the mounting bolts, hold a wood block against the track, and tap the block. Recheck for plumb and when the track is in the right position, retighten the mounting bolts.
