2026-03-21 7 min read
If you live in one of Aliso Viejo's established neighborhoods. Canyon View Estates, Talavera, Laguna Audubon, or one of the many townhome communities built in the late 1980s and 1990s. there's a good chance your garage door springs are older than you realize. The attached 2-car garage is a fixture in this master-planned city, and those springs have been quietly doing heavy lifting every single day. At some point, they will break. Knowing what to expect before that moment makes all the difference.
Your garage door is heavy. typically 150 to 250 pounds for a standard double door. Springs counterbalance that weight so your opener motor (and your arm, when you lift manually) doesn't have to do all the work. There are two main types:
- Torsion springs mount horizontally above the door opening. They twist and store energy as the door closes, then release it to help lift. Most homes in Aliso Viejo built after the mid-1990s use this system. - Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side. Older homes and some lighter doors still use these.
Torsion springs are the stronger, longer-lasting option. Extension springs last roughly 7,12 years, while torsion springs typically last 8,15 years. or 10,000 to 20,000 cycles. If your household opens and closes the garage 4,5 times a day, that's around 1,500 cycles per year, meaning a standard spring could reach the end of its life in 7,10 years.
Springs rarely give a lot of notice before they go. But there are signs if you know what to look for:
- The door feels unusually heavy when you lift it manually. the spring isn't providing enough counterbalance - The door moves unevenly, with one side rising faster than the other - A loud bang from the garage. this is often a spring snapping under tension - Visible gaps in the spring coil. a broken torsion spring will have a clear separation - The opener strains or reverses when trying to open the door
Orange County's coastal climate plays a role here. Aliso Viejo sits just a few miles inland from Laguna Beach, close enough that salt-laden marine air can reach the area, especially during onshore breeze conditions. Salt air accelerates corrosion on metal hardware, including spring coils. If you notice rust or surface oxidation on your springs, that's a signal to have them inspected before they fail unexpectedly. For more on how alignment issues can compound spring wear, read our guide on track alignment problems and when to call a pro.
This is one of the most common questions homeowners ask. The honest answer: replace both at the same time, even if only one has broken. Since both springs were installed together and have endured the same number of cycles, the surviving spring is likely close to the end of its life anyway. Replacing both ensures balanced tension and prevents the second spring from snapping a few weeks later. putting you back in the same situation. Most professionals will recommend replacing both for exactly this reason.
Costs vary depending on spring type, door size, and whether you're doing a straight replacement or a conversion. Here's a realistic range for 2026:
- Extension spring replacement: $50,$100 per spring including parts and labor - Torsion spring replacement: $150,$350 for a complete two-spring system - Spring conversion (extension to torsion): $400,$800. a worthwhile investment for long-term reliability - Labor alone: typically $75,$150 for a job that takes 30 minutes to an hour for a skilled technician
Prices at the higher end are more typical in Orange County due to the regional cost of living. That's a fair trade-off for quality work done safely. You can also check our installation pricing guide for broader context on what repairs and replacements typically cost.
Torsion springs are under extreme tension even when the door is fully closed. Mishandling them without proper winding bars and training can cause serious injury. This isn't cautionary filler. it's the reason virtually every garage door professional lists spring replacement as the most dangerous DIY mistake homeowners make. The cost of a professional repair is modest compared to an ER visit. Leave this one to a licensed technician.
Garage Door Company Aliso Viejo handles spring replacements throughout the city and surrounding areas, using quality springs rated for high cycle counts that will outlast the standard economy parts. If you're not sure what type of springs your door uses or whether they're showing wear, a quick inspection is the best place to start. Reach out to schedule a visit. we'll give you a straight answer without upselling you on parts you don't need.
The clearest sign is a loud bang from the garage, followed by a door that won't open or opens very slowly and unevenly. If you look at the spring above the door and see a visible gap in the coil, it's broken. Do not attempt to operate the door until the spring is replaced.
Technically the opener may still try to move the door, but operating a door with a broken spring puts enormous strain on the opener motor and risks damaging the cables, tracks, and operator. It also creates a safety hazard. It's best to leave the door in place and call for repair promptly.
For a standard residential door with a straightforward torsion spring setup, a skilled technician can replace both springs and test the door in 30 minutes to an hour. If there are additional repairs needed. cables, drums, or an opener issue. the job may take longer.