Should I lubricate the garage door tracks?

No. The track only guides the rollers as the door travels. Nothing on it pivots or turns, so it does not need lubricant. Grease or oil on the running surface catches dust, sand and leaves, and that gritty film can make rollers slip or wear faster instead of rolling cleanly against dry metal.

What to do with the tracks instead

• With the door closed and the opener unplugged, wipe the accessible track surfaces with a dry or lightly damp cloth.
• Remove any old grease or lubricant overspray from the running surface.
• Clear leaves, pine needles or small debris from the bottom of the vertical tracks.
• Look from the floor for dents, bends or loose track brackets. Do not bend the track back or loosen its supports yourself.

Where lubricant does belong

The parts that actually move against each other are the hinge pivots and the bearings or stems of serviceable rollers. Lubricate those only where your door manual specifies, and do not spray nylon wheel surfaces or sealed bearings unless their manufacturer calls for it. If spray lands on the track by accident, wipe it off. More on that in what to do if lubricant hits the wrong part.

When a track problem needs a technician

If rollers rub, jump or bind in a clean, dry track, the cause is usually a bent section, a loose bracket or a worn roller, not a lack of lubricant. Adding grease only hides the symptom for a while. A door that has come out of its track should not be operated at all; that needs off-track repair rather than more cleaning.

Read more

• How to lubricate a garage door
• Lubricant guide by part

Related questions

• How often should I lubricate my garage door?
• Can I lubricate my garage door myself?
• What lubricant should I use on my garage door?
• Does lubrication actually reduce garage door noise?
• Is WD-40 a good garage door lubricant?

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