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Garage door cable repair

The lift cables are the steel cables on each side of the door. They carry the spring’s force to the bottom of the door. When one slips off or snaps, that side loses support — the door hangs crooked and isn’t safe to move.

Cable hanging loose or the door sitting crooked? Stop using the door and keep people and cars clear. Call and tell us what you see.

CALL NOW — (516) 687-6171

What a cable problem looks like

  • The door hangs lower on one side or closes at an angle
  • A cable is hanging loose or has come off the drum at the top
  • The door stopped part-way and won’t go up or down
  • The cable looks frayed or rusty, especially near the bottom of the door
  • A loud noise, then the door would not move properly

What usually causes it

A cable slipped off the drum

Slack cable at the top corner, door crooked

If the door hits something or binds on the way down, the cable can go slack and jump off the drum it winds onto.

A worn or frayed cable snapped

Cable broken through, often near the bottom bracket

Cables wear over time, and moisture near the floor can rust them. A frayed cable eventually lets go.

A broken spring

A loud bang earlier, door very heavy

When a spring breaks, the cable on that side loses tension and can come off. The spring is the real repair. More on spring repair.

A worn bottom bracket

Rust or damage where the cable attaches at the bottom

The cable is fixed to a bracket at the bottom of the door. If that bracket is rusted or bent, the cable can pull loose.

Please don’t try to fix it yourself. The cables and bottom brackets are connected to the springs and are under a lot of tension. Loosening the wrong part can cause serious injury.

What a repair involves

A technician makes the door safe, finds out why the cable failed and checks the drums, bottom brackets and springs it works with. Cables are often replaced on both sides so they match. You see what failed and approve the price before any work starts, and the door is balanced and tested before the technician leaves.

What happens when you call

  1. You callTell us what the door is doing and what you heard.
  2. A technician takes a lookSomeone comes out, finds what failed and shows you.
  3. You get the price firstNothing starts until you say okay.
  4. It gets fixed and testedThe door is checked to make sure it opens, closes and reverses properly before the technician leaves.

What customers say on Google

5.0 on Google

Sapir G.★★★★★ Google review
I originally called for what I thought would be a small repair, but I was really impressed with how professional the whole experience was. The technician arrived on time and walked me through what needed to be done before starting. Great service overall.
Barbara W.★★★★★ Google review
Service was excellent. Employees were very professional. Did excellent work and checked to make sure everything was in working order prior to leave job site.

Reviews shown exactly as customers wrote them on Google.

Common questions

Can I keep using the door with a loose cable?
Please don't. With one side unsupported the door can bind, bend the track or drop. Leave it closed if you can and call.
Can I put the cable back on the drum myself?
We don't recommend it. The cable is connected to the springs, which are under high tension. It's a job for a technician with the right tools.
Why did my cable come off?
Usually because the door caught on something or a spring broke and the cable went slack. Worn or rusted cables and bottom brackets are the other common causes. A technician will show you which it was.

Where we work

Queens: Jamaica · Forest Hills · Flushing · Bayside · Whitestone

Nassau County: Great Neck · Port Washington · Manhasset · Roslyn · Mineola · Garden City · New Hyde Park · Floral Park · Hempstead · Valley Stream

Suffolk County: call to check your town

Locally owned & operated · Free estimates · Same-day service when available · 1-year warranty where applicable

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