My chain came off the garage door opener and now its too tight to put back on how do i fix this?
Question:
Answers:
There's a latch on the opener or the door bracket to allow for some slack in the chain. Find it. The manufacturer's web site will have either directions or a phone number you can call for more help.
If you will get on a stepladder (unplug your opener first!), you will see an adjustment rod and nut that allows you to adjust the tension of your chain, often used to compensate for stretch in the chain as it wears. It is also how you get enough slack to get the chain back on the sprocket, then tighten until the chain becomes reasonably taut. It is likely this is why the chain jumped off the sprocket to begin with, that the chain wore and wasn't tightened up to compensate. Tip: Motorcycle Chain lube in an aerosol can (cheap at a autoparts or box store) works great for lubing these chains. Goes on thin to penetrate the chain links and then thickens into a grease. Never use WD-40, it just washes the lube away. This is an easy fix and you will feel like a hero. Good Luck.
call a garage door expert ~ it will cost you about $50
As stated already, there is an adjustment located somewhere on your chain assembly - usually right where the door "arm" is hooked into the chain. Just a couple quick words of advice:
(1) Before you replace the chain it is advisable to run the opener to what would normally be the "down" position of the door. Then close the door and hook everything back up. This will prevent your travel limits from becoming out of adjustment. For example, you wouldn't want to hook everything up with the door down and then press the button only to have the opener try to close the door!
(2) You'll need to check and see why the chain came off to begin with. In our experience, chains usually don't just come off without a pretty good cause - worn out sprocket, broken travelers, etc. It may be a little more serious than a tension issue if the opener has been "working fine" for quite a while.
(3) Finally, contrary to what has been stated - we actually recommend the use of WD-40 on most of your door mechanics even over lithium-based "garage door lube." Reason? We've seen plenty of older doors/openers that eventually get gunked up with trash that catches in the dried out grease. Not many people take the time to clean up grease that has become inneffective; rather, they just add to it. Over time this actually hinders the door's operation. WD-40 (or the like) eliminates this problem - and the mess. The only downside is that you just have to lube the door a little more often. We recommend once every couple of months.
More Related Questions & Answers...