Project Difficulty:
Moderate Estimated
Project Time: 30 minutes per hinge
Tools and Materials:
New hinges
Box wrench or open-end wrench
2 locking pliers, or 2 C-clamps and wood blocks
Lightweight lubricating oil, as needed
Sometimes little things are important, and this holds true for garage door hinges. Not only do they join door sections but they also hold the door's roller shafts. If a hinge on your garage door snaps or bends too far out of alignment, you no longer will have a working door, and could face major repairs. So, you really want these double-duty connectors to be in proper working order. Periodic inspection of your garage door hinges to replace any that are loose or broken certainly is worth the effort.
Most garage doors have hinges along the body of the door, except at the very top and bottom; the four corner rollers are held by brackets rather than hinges. You can replace hinges with the door closed, or keep the door partially raised to a comfortable working level. To prevent a partially raised door from closing, secure the door bottom at the height you want by attaching either locking pliers or a block of wood (held by a C-clamp) to each side of the track (Fig. 1).
Replacing the Hinges
Note: It's important to purchase hinges of the same brand and model as the ones you're replacing. If that's not possible, take an old hinge to your local door parts supplier or home improvement store to match it against their available models.
If you're replacing all the hinges, start with the highest hinge and work down, removing and replacing only one hinge at a time so that the door stays balanced and in place.
For the highest left or right hinge (NOT either top bracket), you'll need to remove the roller assembly along with the hinge, install the roller assembly onto the new hinge, place the roller into the track, and reattach the hinge.
1.
Remove Nuts
Remove the nuts from the bolts holding the hinge to the door.
2.
Slide and Tilt
Slide the hinge off the bolt and tilt the whole assembly so that the roller comes off the track.
3.
Remove Clip
Remove the retaining clip holding the roller and shaft to the hinge.
4.
Remove Roller and Shaft
Slide out the roller and shaft.
5.
Insert Roller and Shaft
Insert the old roller and shaft into the new hinge.
6.
Replace Clip
Replace the retaining clip.
7.
Lubricate
For steel rollers, apply a few drops of lighweight oil to the ball bearings and spin the roller a few times to lubricate them.
8.
Tilt Assembly
Tilt the roller and hinge assembly so that the roller re-engages onto the track and the hinge slips over the mounting bolts.
9.
Tighten Nuts
Tighten the nuts onto the bolts until snug.
10.
Check Operation
Try the door to make sure it operates smoothly and that the new hinge doesn't bind.
11.
Repeat for Each Hinge
Repeat all steps, as necessary, for each remaining hinge.
