What Causes The Garage Door To Go Off Track?

Several factors can lead to a garage door going off track. Everyday situations and emergencies often cause this issue. Here are some potential causes:

Collision while Backing Out: Accidents happen, and sometimes when you back your car out of the garage, you might hit the door. If the garage door doesn’t fully open after you press the button, you might not notice until it’s too late, resulting in the door going off track due to the impact.

Car Not Fully Inside: If you don’t pull your car all the way into the garage and the garage door opener settings are maxed out, the door might collide with the car and derail.

Obstructions: Objects like brooms, bikes, or trash cans leaning against the closing side of the garage can block the door’s path. When this obstruction occurs, it can force the garage door off track.

Age-Related Wear: Over time, especially if your garage door is over 10 years old, metal fatigue can set in. You might notice splits in the middle sections of the door. As these splits develop, sections can bow in, causing one side to fall out of the track. Hinges may weaken or break as well.

Loose Torsion Cables: The torsion cables on the side of your garage door can become loose. If these cables fall off the torsion drum, the door can misalign, potentially causing rollers to slip out of the track.

Improper Torsion Springs Installation: The large coils (torsion springs) situated above your garage door need correct installation and calibration. If you manually lift the garage door too quickly, it can throw the door off track.

Remember that a combination of factors or a single significant incident can contribute to the garage door going off track. Regular maintenance and careful usage can help you prevent these situations and keep your garage door in proper working order.