Garage doors that are not properly maintained can be loud and squeaky. What's more, a noisy garage door means it's not lubricated enough, which can cause serious damage later on. Fortunately, with proper maintenance and lubrication, you can get rid of this noise and extend the life of your garage door.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Clearing the Path
Step 1. Close the garage door
Use the remote controller or close the door manually. This gives you access to the track and all the moving parts of the door.
Step 2. Disconnect power to the door
Before lubricating, make sure the garage door is not electrified. Disconnect the garage door from the power source once it is closed.
If the garage opening plug is difficult to reach or is wired, turn off the breaker that controls it in the circuit box
Step 3. Clean the track with a damp cloth
The track is the passage through which the garage door rollers open and close. Do not lubricate this part, but make sure it is clean so that the door can operate properly. Wipe the inside of the track and remove any dirt and debris.
- Make sure that no dirt remains on the track that could stick to the rollers.
- Use an automotive brake cleaner to loosen and wash off the oil.
Step 4. Vacuum the dust and dirt from the track
If you're having trouble removing dirt from the track, use the vacuum cleaner and its extension hose to suck up dust and dirt. This solution is great for reaching high, hard-to-reach sections of the track.
Part 2 of 2: Lubricating Moving Parts
Step 1. Purchase a lithium-based oil or garage door lubricant
Popular standard degreasers such as WD-40 are not the best option for garage doors. Instead, buy lithium-based oils at a hardware store or the internet. There are also certain oils that are made specifically for garage doors. Don't use oil.
- Garage doors will usually be available as an aerosol or spray can.
- Oil is prone to dust and dirt and tends to drip more easily than oil or garage door lubricant. Read the label to make sure the oil you choose is compatible with your garage door.
Step 2. Open the door and spray grease on each hinge
Gently raise the garage door manually and spray the hinges when they meet the grooves of the track. This will lubricate the moving parts of the garage door so it can open and close more smoothly. Give 1-2 sprays for each hinge. Make sure the hinges are greased.
Step 3. Lubricate the roller
The roller component is the circular part that moves on the garage door and is attached to each hinge. Inside these rollers are small ball bearings that need to be lubricated to allow the door to open and close properly. Use a thin hose head to spray the oil onto the rollers. Wipe off excess grease so that the door stays balanced.
- All exposed ball bearings must be fully lubricated.
- Do not spray lubricant on nylon rollers.
Step 4. Spray the outside of the spring and bearing plate
Springs can usually be found at the top of the garage door and should also be thoroughly lubricated. The bearing plate is a circular part that moves on both sides of the spring. Spray the outside of the spring and near the center of the bearing plate, then open and close the garage door to spread the oil.
- You'll likely need a ladder to get to the springs and bearing plates.
- If the spring makes noise, you need to lubricate the spring.
- If the spring is damaged or bent, replace it before continuing.
Step 5. Spray the lock and handle bar (armbar)
If the lock is lubricated, it will make locking the garage easier, and prevent rust in the long run. Face the grease hole towards the keyhole and spray to lubricate it. Once you've lubricated the lock, finish by spraying oil on the large armbar at the top of the door.
Step 6. Lubricate the top of the rail
The rail is the part that moves the chain and extends the length of the garage ceiling. This chain is actually linked at the top of the rail so this is where the lubrication needs to be done. Spray the top of the rail and spread the grease with a rag.
- Chains usually have a natural guard so you don't have to lubricate them too often.
- There's no point in you spraying the base.
- Read the user manual to find out how to lubricate and maintain your garage door opener.
