Do both garage door cables need to be replaced at once?

The two lift cables share the door's weight equally and run through the same number of cycles in the same conditions. When one frays or snaps from ordinary wear, the other has had the same life. Replacing both at once also means the door is set up and balanced with two cables of the same length and condition.

Why a matched pair is the usual recommendation

• Both cables wear at a similar rate, so a second failure often follows the first.
• A new cable paired with a worn one can make it harder to keep the door level.
• The spring tension already has to be released for one cable, so doing both avoids a second visit for the same work.

When one cable may be enough

If a cable was damaged by something specific, such as being snagged, cut or caught in a misaligned drum, and the other cable is clean and intact, replacing only the damaged one can make sense. We inspect both cables and the drums before recommending either option.

What the quote should tell you

Your written quote should describe the condition of each cable and explain why each replacement is needed. You approve it before any work starts. We also check the drums, rollers and bottom brackets, since worn parts there can damage new cables. After the work, we test the door's balance and movement. More detail is in our cable replacement guide. Cables are under spring tension, so this is not a job to attempt yourself; see why cable work needs a technician.

Read more

• Garage door cable replacement
• Garage door cable repair

Related questions

• How long do garage door cables last?
• What is the difference between garage door cable repair and replacement?
• Can I repair or replace a garage door cable myself?
• Can I put my garage door back on the track myself?
• Is it safe to use a garage door that's off track?

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