Garage Door Making a Grinding Noise
Why is my garage door making a grinding noise?
What is actually causing it
Most likely first, based on what our crews find on the call.
01Stripped nylon drive gear in the opener
The signature failure of chain-drive openers. The motor runs, you hear grinding from the powerhead, and the chain barely moves or does not move at all. You may find plastic shavings under the unit. The gear-and-sprocket kit is inexpensive; getting to it means opening the gearbox.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
02Dry or seized rollers
Steel rollers with dry or failed bearings grind against the track the whole length of travel. Light lubrication of the bearing (never the track face) helps; a roller that has already flat-spotted needs replacing.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
03Worn end bearing plates or center bearing
A grinding that rises and falls with the spring shaft's rotation is coming from the bearings the shaft turns in, not from the opener at all.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
04Chain too loose and dragging on the rail
A slack chain slaps and grinds along the rail. Chain tension is an adjustment, but an over-tightened chain destroys the sprocket, so it is worth having set properly.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
05Debris in the track channel
Gravel, a screw or hardened old grease gives a gritty grinding at one point in travel. Inspect visually with the door at rest.
Safe to check yourself, with the door closed and the opener unplugged.
06Bent hinge or racked section
Hinges that have been forced out of plane grind the section edges against each other at the fold points.
Do not attempt this yourself. It is under spring or cable load and it injures people every year — this one is a licensed-technician job.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is my garage door making a grinding noise?
Is this safe for me to fix myself?
How much will the repair cost?
Are you licensed?
Describe the noise. We will tell you what broke.
Most calls are diagnosed in under two minutes, with a price range before anyone drives out.
CA-GARAGEDOOR California — California contractor licence CSLB #1098234. Licensed, bonded and insured. 1-year parts & labor.