Should You Replace One Garage Door Spring or Both at the Same Time in Phoenix, AZ?
In most cases, replace both garage door springs when one breaks, even if the other looks fine. Springs installed as a pair carry the same number of cycles and wear down together, so a spring sitting beside a broken one is usually close to failing too. Replacing both restores even tension and protects the opener. At F&J’s 24 Hour Garage Door Service, our technicians walk Phoenix homeowners through this decision before any spring job.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Usually Fail in Pairs?
A two-spring garage door is typically built with a garage door torsion spring mounted on each side of a shaft above the opening, with each spring carrying roughly half the door’s weight. Because they open and close the door the same number of times, both springs reach the end of their cycle life on a similar timeline. The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA) advises that if your door has two springs, both should be replaced even if only one is broken, since this prevents damage from a second failure and keeps the door working efficiently.
When Is It Safe to Replace Only One Garage Door Spring?
Replacing a single spring can make sense in a few situations:
- The other spring was already replaced recently and has far fewer cycles on it.
- The door was designed with a single torsion spring rather than a matched pair.
- A technician inspects the second spring and confirms it shows no wear, stretch, or corrosion.
Outside of these cases, a matched replacement is usually the safer call, especially if you’ve already scheduled garage door spring repair once this year for the same door.
What Happens If You Replace Only One Garage Door Spring?
Pairing a new spring with an old, worn one creates uneven tension across the door. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that a severely unbalanced garage door can unexpectedly crash to the floor, and recommends professional service any time a door binds, sticks, or fails to stay in place when partially open. An imbalanced door also forces the opener motor to work harder, which can shorten its lifespan.
Replace One Spring vs. Replace Both: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Replace One Spring | Replace Both Springs |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Door balance | Often uneven | Even, matched tension |
| Risk of second failure soon after | Higher | Lower |
| Long-term cost | Can require a second visit | Typically one visit |
What Does Garage Door Spring Replacement in Phoenix Cost?
Nationally, ConsumerAffairs reports that a single garage door spring replacement runs about $180 to $350 in parts and labor. Replacing both typically costs more than one alone but less than two separate calls, since labor is shared. Beyond that, price depends on:
- Whether one or both springs need replacement.
- The spring’s cycle rating and size.
- Labor, since most of the job cost is the technician’s time on-site rather than the part itself.
Because labor is shared across both springs in a single visit, replacing both at once often costs less per spring than two separate service calls. F&J’s 24 Hour Garage Door Service quotes garage door spring jobs in Phoenix and Prescott Valley after inspecting the door in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a single new spring match the tension of my old spring?
Not exactly. Springs lose some tension as they age, so a new spring paired with an older one rarely lifts evenly, even if both are rated for the same weight.
How soon does the second spring usually fail after the first breaks?
There’s no fixed timeline, but since both springs have carried the same cycles, the second is often within months of the same failure point.
Can mismatched springs damage my garage door opener?
Yes. An unbalanced door makes the opener lift more of the door’s weight than it’s designed for, which can wear out the motor and gears faster.
Ready to Replace Your Garage Door Springs?
If one of your garage door springs has broken, F&J’s 24 Hour Garage Door Service can inspect the whole system and tell you honestly whether one spring or a matched pair makes sense for your door. We never sell you what you don’t need. Call us at (623) 853-8487 or email jsanchez@fnjsgarage.com to schedule an inspection.
