2026-04-21 7 min read
If your garage door suddenly won't budge. or you heard a loud bang from the garage that stopped you cold. there's a good chance a spring just let go. It happens to homeowners all over Corona, from the craftsman-style homes in Corona Ranch to the two-story Mediterranean builds up in Eagle Glen. Springs are the most failure-prone component on any garage door, and understanding what's happening before you call a technician puts you in a much better position.
Most homeowners think the opener lifts the door. It doesn't. not really. Garage door springs do the heavy lifting by counterbalancing the door's weight, which can range from 130 pounds for a single-car steel door to well over 300 pounds for a large insulated double door. The opener simply guides the movement. When the springs fail, the opener is left trying to drag hundreds of pounds on its own, which can burn out the motor fast.
There are two main types:
- Torsion springs. mounted on a bar above the door opening, these twist to store and release energy. They're the modern standard, handle heavier doors well, and are rated for 10,000 to 20,000 cycles. - Extension springs. older style, running along the sides of the door tracks. They're cheaper but have a shorter lifespan and can be more unpredictable if one snaps without a safety cable.
If your home in Corona was built in the 1990s. like much of Corona Ranch or the Green River area. there's a real chance you still have extension springs. Worth knowing before a tech arrives.
Springs rarely give zero warning. Here's what to watch for:
If you disconnect the opener and try to lift the door manually, a healthy door should feel like about 10,15 pounds. If it feels like you're lifting a car hood, the springs are losing tension.
Lift the door to waist height and let go. It should stay put. If it slowly drifts down, the springs aren't counterbalancing properly. they're worn and should be inspected soon.
On torsion springs, healthy coils sit tightly together. If you can see a gap. even a small one. the spring has already partially failed. Don't keep using the door.
This is the classic sign. A torsion spring breaking under full tension sounds like a gunshot. If you hear it, stop using the door immediately and contact a professional. Running the opener on a broken spring will damage the motor and can pull the door off its tracks.
If your opener sounds like it's struggling or keeps reversing before the door fully opens, the spring may not be giving it enough help to lift the load.
You can also cross-reference these symptoms with our guide on signs your garage door needs repair. which covers the full spectrum of things that go wrong before a complete failure.
Here in the Inland Empire, you're in California. which means labor rates run higher than the national average. That's just reality. West Coast garage door services typically run 20,30% above national norms due to higher wages and state code requirements.
For a realistic picture:
- Torsion spring replacement: $150,$350 per spring, including parts and labor for most standard residential doors - Extension spring replacement: $100,$200 per spring. cheaper upfront, but they don't last as long - Two-spring systems: Plan for $200,$400 to replace both at once, which is almost always the right call - High-cycle premium springs: More upfront, but rated for 25,000,50,000 cycles and lasting 15,20 years vs. the 7,12 years on standard springs
One important note: always replace both springs at the same time, even if only one has broken. They age together, and the second one is usually not far behind. Replacing just one means another service call. and another labor charge. within months.
This is worth saying plainly: garage door spring replacement is genuinely dangerous, not just difficult. Torsion springs store enormous mechanical energy. enough to cause severe injury or worse if released suddenly without the right tools and technique. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports roughly 30,000 garage door injuries annually, and a significant portion involve spring failures or improper handling.
A trained technician uses calibrated winding bars, specific torque procedures, and knows exactly how to tension a spring to match your door's weight. They also inspect the cables, drums, and tracks while they're at it. because a snapped spring often stresses those components too.
For more on why this repair category is strictly for professionals, read our full breakdown of garage door spring safety and why DIY repairs are dangerous.
Corona's summers are genuinely harsh. Daytime temperatures regularly climb past 100°F, and the temperature swings between summer and winter. from 42°F overnight lows to 100°F summer highs. put real stress on metal components. Heat causes metal to expand, and repeated expansion and contraction accelerates fatigue in coil springs over time.
The Santa Ana winds that blow through in fall also coat garage interiors with fine grit and dust, which works its way into spring coils and accelerates wear if they're not lubricated regularly. A light application of a lithium-based lubricant on your springs once or twice a year goes a long way toward extending their lifespan in this climate.
If you want a broader look at all our garage door services for Corona homeowners, we cover everything from spring replacement to full installations.
Q: Can I just replace one spring instead of both? You can, but it's not recommended. Both springs age at the same rate. If one has broken, the other is likely close behind. Replacing just one often means a second service call within months, which ends up costing more overall.
Q: How long does a spring replacement take? A professional technician can typically complete the job in 45 to 90 minutes. that includes removing the old springs, installing the new ones, testing the door balance, lubricating moving parts, and making sure everything is set correctly.
Q: How do I know if I have torsion or extension springs? Look above the door when it's closed. If you see a horizontal metal bar with one or two coiled springs wrapped around it, those are torsion springs. If you see springs running along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door, those are extension springs. Not sure? A quick photo sent to a technician can confirm it before they even arrive.