Everything you need to know about replacing garage door rollers

Garage doors are critical to the safety and security of your home, and they're also a big part of curb appeal. But occasionally, they need some work.

When it comes to maintenance, you should always be on the lookout for any signs that something isn't right with your garage door. You might notice that it's making noises or squeaking when it opens or closes. Or maybe it's getting stuck in one position and won't budge—either way, these are all signs that you need to get your garage door checked out by a professional.

One of the most common issues with garage doors is damage to the rollers. The rollers are what allow your garage door to move up and down smoothly when you open or close it; if they're damaged or worn out, then that movement will be jerky and uneven (and potentially dangerous).

So what do you do if your garage door has damage like this? Here's everything you need to know about replacing garage door rollers.

Garage door rollers replacement

Garage door rollers are one of the most important parts of your garage door system. They make sure your garage door can move smoothly and safely, and if you have any issues with them, it could mean trouble for your entire door.

Like every part of your garage door system, the garage door rollers also have a cycle rating like the springs. They are only expected to last until their last cycle. For example, a nylon roller lasts for only 10,000 cycles. And if you use your garage door three or five times per day or 1,500 times per year, it's expected to last 6-7 years at best. If your rollers are no longer performing as well as they should, it’s time to replace them.

The best garage door rollers to choose from

The first is plastic rollers. This is the most basic type of roller as it is a low-cost solution for homeowners. This is good for a temporary solution if you do not have the time or budget to replace it with a better one. You can expect two or 3 years of use for plastic rollers once they wear out.

The second type of roller is a steel roller without ball bearings. Just like the plastic roller, these are only standard rollers that will last for a couple of years but is better durability-wise.

The third one is steel rollers with ball bearings. This is better than a plastic roller and will last 10,000 to 15,000 cycles. They are rated at 75 lbs per roller and will usually last for around 10 to 15 years if maintained correctly. However, the only downside of this type of roller is that it is louder than plastic as well as a nylon roller.

The last type of roller is the garage door nylon rollers. These are the best solution for longevity as well as durability. Most have a lifespan of 12-20 years of usage but are more expensive than the first three. These are the most quiet garage door rollers and provide better operation than steel and some are designed to last for 100,000 cycles.

What are the garage door rollers sizes?

If you're looking to replace your garage door rollers, you'll need to know the size of those rollers before purchasing new ones.

The size of rollers used in garage doors is fairly standard. Most residential rollers are two inches in diameter, although the actual measurement is closer to 1 3/4 inches.

Commercial and industrial doors often use two-inch or three-inch rollers. The wheels on three-inch rollers are usually 2 3/4 inches in diameter; you can measure them with a ruler across the face of the roller if needed.

When to replace garage door rollers?

Garage door rollers can be one of the most frustrating parts of your garage door, especially when they get stuck. When you're trying to open or close your garage door, it's not uncommon to feel like you're pulling on a brick wall. The problem is that this is a sign of a problem with the rollers—and if you don't fix them soon, they could break and cause even more problems for you.

Here are some signs that it's time to replace your garage door rollers:

1) You're having trouble opening or closing the door

2) You can hear a grinding or squeaking sound when moving your door

3) There are visible signs of wear or damage on the rollers

If any of these apply to you, it's time to call in a professional garage door service provider who can determine whether or not the rollers need replacing and do so safely and efficiently.

How to replace garage door rollers

Garage doors are a necessity of life. They serve as the gateway between your home and the rest of the world, and they're often one of the first things visitors see when they come to visit.

But what happens if your garage door is damaged? What if it's wonky and won't open or close properly? Even worse, what if it breaks down completely and doesn't work at all?

This is where garage door rollers come in. Rollers help move your garage door smoothly up or down. If one of them breaks or is damaged, you might have trouble getting your garage door to work correctly. Fortunately, replacing these parts is easy! Here's how to replace the rollers for garage doors:

Steps on how to replace garage door rollers

• The first step is lowering your garage door completely. Make sure to add C-clamps to your door tracks above the bottom rollers for the door to not open.
• The second step is to disengage and unplug your garage door opener by pulling the opener's release rope. Unplug the garage door opener from the outlet. However, if your garage door opener is hard-wired to your garage, it's best to turn off the corresponding breaker to ensure no one can activate the garage door while you're replacing the rollers.
• The third step is by unwinding your torsion springs with a winding bar. Turn them 1/4 turn at a time until the tension of the torsion springs is gone. Make sure to wear protective glasses as well as a thick jacket when working with torsion springs and remember how many 1/4 turns you make as you will be twisting it back to its original tension.
• The fourth step is unscrewing and removing one door hinge as well as the roller at a time. Start from the second roller from the bottom and be sure to remove one at a time as they hold the door in position. If you remove all of them at the same time, the door may collapse.
• The fifth step is removing the garage door roller by sliding it out of the door hinge. Once removed, insert the new roller into the hole of the hinge.
• The sixth step is by attaching the hinge and roller back to the tracks and screwing the hinge back to its rightful holes on the garage door.
• The last step before replacing the bottom rollers is by doing this process for every hinge and roller except the bottom ones.

Bottom Garage Door Roller Replacement Process

• You can now remove the C-clamps that hold the door. Now be aware that it may be a little heavier as you've disengaged the torsion springs. If you can't manually lift it, call a friend for help.
• Bend the track slightly at its seam near the top of your frame, using pliers. On one side of your frame, locate where the vertical piece meets a curved section that runs along the ceiling above it—this is probably where you want to install lights. Bend out about 1" (2½ cm) with pliers or hammer claw and fit into place
• Lower the door so that its bottom roller is level/slightly with the bent track. If it’s a light door and easy to hold in place by yourself, you may be able to get away with doing this on your own. But if not, ask someone else for help holding either end of the door steady.
• To remove a roller from the track, first, pull the bottom panel towards you to free the roller and then slide it out. Replace it with a new one as you did with the other rollers.
• Manipulate the new roller into place. If it’s too high, lower the track until you achieve a level surface again. Push the roller back in until it clicks into place and is secure inside its housing
• Straighten the track with your pliers/hammer to secure the newly installed roller. Shift the door so that its path is clear, then use a hammer or pliers to bend it back into shape.
• Now rewind the torsion springs, again using 1/4 turns in the opposite direction.
• Lubricate garage door rollers with lithium grease. Spray the lubricant on both sides of each guide hole that holds a roller, as well as on any exposed ball bearings.

How to replace garage door rollers without bending tracks

When it comes to repairing your garage door, you may think that replacing the rollers is the only option. But there are other ways to get your garage door working again. Here is a quick guide on how to replace garage door rollers without bending the track. Now, remember that you shouldn't start with the bottom rollers first instead the second one from the bottom.

• You'll need to unscrew the brackets that attach your garage door track to the wall in order to remove it. This is best accomplished with a ratchet—a deep one on every bracket for maximum control, if possible.
• Once all the fasteners are removed, remove the track. Once it is free of its brackets, you easily will be able to take out your garage door. Doing so will allow you also to get rid of those rollers; just pull them off one by one from their brackets.
• After you remove the rollers from the brackets, replace them with new ones. Before putting in these new rollers, add lubricant—it will make it easier for them to run smoothly through their sockets when placed back into place.
• After installing the rollers, you need to reinstall the track by inserting it with all its rollers. This is easier if you recall how to remove and replace a door track—you simply do this in reverse order. When finished, reattach any remaining fasteners.
• Now it is time to replace the top roller. It's easy: just remove the whole bracket from the wall that holds this part in place—the bracket will come off with a few taps of your hammer.
• To remove the bracket, unscrew the nut as you did before. Now your roller should slide right off—but remember to add some lubricant to it first.

Cost to replace garage door rollers

When you're looking to replace your garage door rollers, it's important to know how much you'll be spending. You want to make sure that the roller replacement is done right the first time, so you don't have to be worrying about it later on.

Replacing your garage door rollers can be done by either a professional or yourself. The average cost to replace garage door rollers with labor is around $79-$149.

The cost per standard roller is around $1-$15 per roller. While high-end ones such as nylon rollers are around $2.50 to $15 per roller. Replacing the rollers on your garage door should not cost more than $250.

Roller replacement is not a difficult task, but it does require some knowledge about how garage doors work and how to replace parts on them. If you are not sure how to do this yourself, then you could hire someone to do it for you. You can find someone who specializes in garage doors by searching online or asking friends for recommendations in your area.

In need to replace your garage door rollers? Contact us!

No matter what type of garage door you have, contact Blue Pro Garage for the best repair services in Rancho Mirage. Our reliable and knowledgeable professionals are dedicated to providing efficient solutions to all garage door problems. With our competitive prices and high-quality service, you can be sure your home’s garage will stay safe and secure.

Once again if you need help repairing your garage door rollers or just want to know how it works don’t hesitate and give us a call. We are here to exceed all your expectations! So, if you experience any issues with your garage door remember that we offer superior services that meet the highest of standards while being budget-friendly, no job is too big or small for us so feel free to reach out! Contact us at Blue Pro Garage today - your premier top service provider company - so we can get your door back in working order.