The "Old School" Secret to Replacing Garage Door Rollers on Tricky Hinges
Is your garage door sounding rough, rattling, or just not moving as smoothly as it should? Chances are, your rollers might be worn out. Replacing them can seem straightforward, but if your overhead door features those challenging square hinges, you might find yourself hitting a snag that even specialized tools can't easily fix.
Hey Party People, it’s me Santiago Guerra from SOS Garage Door Service and in this guide, I'm going to share the "old school" secret to safely and effectively replacing garage door rollers, particularly when those modern tools fall short on certain hinge types. You might have seen “fancy” tools designed to pop out hinges and rollers from the track , but it’s my belief they simply aren't as easy to use on square hinges.
Why "Old School" is Often the Safest & Best Way
When it comes to garage door systems, especially those with square hinges, I firmly believe that the safest and most thorough way to replace rollers is to do it with the door closed. While some technicians prefer to bend tracks or remove rollers with the door up, I prioritize safety first. Working with the door closed might be a little slower, but it's more thorough and gives you a better understanding of how your door works.
Designed to last?
Black plastic rollers are commonly used on garage doors yet they are notoriously known for their poor durability.
The Challenge of Square Hinges
Not all garage doors are created equal. There are certain tools designed for quick hinge and roller removal which just don't work well with square-type hinges. Instead of struggling with a tool that isn't compatible, sometimes going back to basics is the most efficient path. This isn't about being stubborn; it's about finding a practical solution when the ideal tool for a quick pop-out isn't viable for your specific door system.
Your Step-by-Step "Old School" Roller Replacement Method
Here’s the method I demonstrate in our most recent YouTube video that allows you to successfully replace garage door rollers on these types of hinges:
Work with the Door Closed: This is my number one safety tip. Ensure your garage door is fully closed and stable.
Remove the Hinge: Instead of trying to force the roller out of the track with a specialized tool, the method involves carefully taking off the actual hinge itself. This allows you to access and replace the roller directly.
Replace the Roller: Once the hinge is off, you can easily remove the old, worn roller and replace it with a new one.
Reattach the Hinge: Carefully reattach the hinge with the new roller back onto the door.
Repeat as Necessary: We've done this for all the rollers on the door, including the bottom ones, to ensure a complete replacement.
This method, while it might seem tedious but it ensures a safe and complete roller replacement, especially when dealing with the unique characteristics of square hinges. There's always a way to get the job done right, even when new methods don't apply.
Once all the rollers are replaced, your garage door should operate smoothly and efficiently. In fact here’s a video of the entire process on our YouTube channel.
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*Important Disclaimer: While the techniques shared here are based on my experience and preference for safety, always remember that circumstances vary. It's crucial to do your due diligence and understand your specific garage door's needs and circumstances.
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