Cardale Garage Door Spring Replacement
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How Do I Replace a Cardale Garage Door Spring?
A broken Cardale spring is the most common reason a door becomes too heavy to lift or will not open. The replacement spring must match the original for your specific Cardale model. This guide covers spring identification across CD45, Entex, Maximiser and Slideaway ranges and the step-by-step replacement process
Cardale spring types by model
| Model | Spring type | How to identify correct spring |
|---|---|---|
| CD45 canopy | Single overhead torsion spring on shaft | Select by door width. Standard widths: 7ft, 7.5ft, 8ft. Non-standard widths available. The spring shaft runs across the top of the door frame. |
| Entex canopy | Colour-coded torsion spring on shaft | Brown: standard single-width. Purple: heavier or larger single doors. White spot: lighter-duty. Blue spot: double-width doors. Match colour of original. |
| Maximiser / Maximiser II | Maximiser spring drum (Mk1 or Mk2) | The spring is housed in a drum assembly mounted above the door. Confirm Mk1 or Mk2 by the drum shape and pivot arm configuration. |
| Slideaway | Clock spring in a spring drum | The clock spring is a flat coiled spring inside a drum. Confirm by the Slideaway gear arrangement. Clock spring cables run from the drum to the door. |
| CD Professional (SafeLift) | Same overhead spring as CD45 but with SafeLift pulleys | Confirm door width. The SafeLift pulley drums replace the standard cones but the spring is the same specification as CD45. |
Replacing a Cardale CD45 canopy door spring
- Open the door fully and clamp it securely in the open position on the track. This releases tension from the spring.
- Photograph the spring shaft arrangement, the cone positions and the cable routing on both sides before removing anything.
- The spring sits on a shaft spanning the top of the door frame, held at each end by bearing brackets. Note the number of turns of tension wound into the spring before releasing.
- Release spring tension carefully by unwinding the winding bars in small increments. Work on both ends alternately to avoid the shaft twisting unevenly.
- Slide the old spring off the shaft and fit the replacement in the same position and orientation. Re-tension to the same number of turns as the original.
- Lower the door and test the balance at the halfway point before using the door normally.
Cardale CD45 canopy springs are under significant torsional tension. Use proper winding bars and work in small increments when releasing or re-tensioning. Never use a screwdriver or improvised tool in the winding cone. If you are not experienced with torsion spring systems, have the spring replaced by a qualified engineer.
Maximiser spring drum replacement requires careful attention to cable routing. The Maximiser Mk1 and Mk2 use different drum configurations. Take photographs of the complete pivot arm and spring drum arrangement before dismantling. The clock spring cables must be routed correctly through the drum for the door to operate smoothly.
Browse all Cardale replacement parts at Northwest Garage Door Spares, with genuine and pattern parts for all Cardale door types including CD45, CD Professional, Maximiser, Slideaway and Entex.
Cardale Garage Door Spares
Genuine and pattern replacement parts for all Cardale garage door types. Fast UK delivery.
More Cardale guides on springs, cables, remotes, locks and common faults in the Cardale Spares hub.
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