2026-07-05 7 min read A2Z Garage Doors
Your garage door won't open, and you're staring at a broken spring or frayed cable. In our years serving Burbank, we've seen this problem again and again. The good news: most spring and cable repairs cost less than homeowners fear. The bad news: waiting too long or attempting a DIY fix can triple that bill.
A single torsion spring replacement runs $150 to $400 in Burbank, depending on the door's weight and spring type. Extension springs (found on lighter doors) cost $100 to $250 per side. Cables are cheaper in isolation.$75 to $150 each.but rarely fail alone. When a spring breaks, the cable usually frays within weeks. A full spring-and-cable repair together typically lands between $250 and $550.
Why the range? Heavier doors need stronger springs. A 16-foot-wide, insulated door pulls harder than a standard single-car unit. Labor also varies. Same-day service costs more than a scheduled appointment, but it beats having your car stuck outside for three days.
The real budget killer: waiting. Springs last 7 to 9 years on average. If you ignore a sagging door or slow opening speed, the spring fails completely. Then the cable snaps under sudden load. Then the door opener burns out trying to lift dead weight. Suddenly you're looking at $600 to $900 instead of $300.
A door that moves slowly, makes grinding noises, or hangs unevenly is telling you something. Don't ignore it. These signs mean springs are weakening or cables are wearing thin. A quick inspection now saves hundreds later.
You might notice the door wobbles when opening, or one side rises faster than the other. That's spring imbalance. Professional diagnosis takes 15 minutes. See our troubleshooting guide for garage doors stuck or won't open to check for other warning signs before calling for help.
**Need garage door repair in Burbank today?** Call 747-318-4623. we cover same-day service across the area.
Springs hold 400 to 800 pounds of tension. A broken spring under load can snap back and cause serious injury or death. Even experienced mechanics use specialized tools: a spring winder, a counterbalance wrench, and safety cables.
Homeowners who attempt this often:
- Strip the pulley system trying to access springs, Misalign the cable drum, causing the door to jam, Break the garage door opener lifting a door with dead springs, Injure themselves badly enough to need emergency care
That $300 repair becomes $1,200 in damages plus hospital bills. It's not worth it.
Professional technicians carry replacement parts and can troubleshoot other issues (worn rollers, bent tracks, opener problems) during the same visit. You get a full assessment, not just a spring swap.
When you call for an estimate, ask about the door's age and how many times it cycles daily. A garage that opens 10 times daily wears springs faster than one used twice daily. A good technician will inspect the entire system, not just the broken part.
Don't assume you need a full replacement. Check our guide to garage door cost and pricing in Burbank to understand what fair labor and parts actually run. Many repairs are one-off fixes, not full door replacements.
Ask whether the technician will lubricate tracks and rollers while they're there. That costs $30 to $50 extra but extends the life of your new spring by years. It's one of those small investments that prevent bigger repairs down the road.
If your door is over 15 years old and springs fail, sometimes a new door makes sense. Older doors often have worn rollers, bent tracks, and failing openers anyway. A repair might only buy you another year or two. Our opener comparison shows how much new technology saves on energy and maintenance.
But most doors under 12 years old are worth repairing. The math is simple: spring repair ($250 to $550) beats a new door ($800 to $2,000) almost every time.
Don't let a broken spring sit. Each day without proper support stresses the cable, opener, and tracks. Schedule a free repair estimate with Garage Door Burbank and get same-day availability. We'll tell you exactly what's broken, what it costs, and whether repair or replacement makes sense for your budget.
Call 747-318-4623 now. Most Burbank repairs are done within 24 hours.
How long do garage door springs last? Torsion springs typically last 7 to 9 years with normal use (one to two cycles per day). High-use doors may need replacement sooner. Extension springs wear similarly but are slightly less durable under heavy weight.
Can I open my garage door if the spring is broken? No. A broken spring means the door is under no tension and extremely heavy. Forcing it up risks damage to the opener, tracks, and cables. Pushing it up manually risks dropping the door on you or your vehicle.
Is spring repair covered by homeowners insurance? Usually not. Most policies classify garage doors as maintenance items, not covered damage. Check your specific policy, but expect to pay out of pocket.
How much does emergency garage door repair cost? Same-day or after-hours service typically adds $50 to $150 to the base repair cost. A spring repair that costs $300 during business hours might run $400 to $450 on a weekend or evening.
What's the difference between torsion and extension springs? Torsion springs sit above the door and twist to support it. They're more durable and safer for most doors. Extension springs run along the sides and stretch. They're cheaper but less reliable for heavy doors and less safe if they fail.