DDM Garage Doors

EZ-Set Torsion Springs and Options

Please inform us when ordering garage door springs for EZ-Set systems made by Ideal Door and Clopay Door. The stationary cones are different, the springs are measured differently, the wire is processed differently, and the cable drums are smaller so the lifts and cycle lifes in the database do not apply.

There are several options for replacing these springs.

The simplest and the most economical way is to use an aftermarket gapped spring and to re-use your existing cones. The most common spring, the 47" - 1 3/4" ID - .234, sells for about $50.00 plus shipping and handling. Instructions for Replacing EZ-Set Torsion Springs are available to help you with the project.

The same OEM spring, on the other hand, sells for $90. But replacing the spring is easier.

To determine aftermarket prices for other springs in our database, locate the spring, click “Calculate” under the column heading titled “Price No Cones,” and add $10.00 to the price.

The most economical, but not the simplest way, is to order standard garage door springs and stretch the springs yourself when installing the cones. The inside black ribbed spacer must be long enough so that when the spring is wound the coils don’t bind. This extra length needed is usually the length of 12-14 coils.

One customer recently opted for a longer life spring which was longer than the inner spacer. To eliminate the possibliity of spring bind he cut the inside spacer in half and added a piece of 1" pvc between the halves to provide the needed stretch.

Before ordering a replacement EZ-Set spring it is good to check the winder. Often when the spring breaks the winder also breaks. These sell for $25.00. So with shipping and handling convenience may cost up to $145.00.

Here is what we usually recommend.

First, try to remove the stationary cone from the winder, and then try to remove the cones from the spring. Click here for directions for removing the cone from the winder, and click here for instructions for removing cones from the spring.

If the spring came out of the winder when it broke, the winder is broken. Sometimes the spring will work OK even if the tabs break out of the winder, but we can’t guarantee that yours will.

If the winder is OK, and if you can remove the cones from the spring, we recommend that you purchase just the specially processed aftermarket spring without cones.

If the tabs of the winder are broken and you can remove the cones, you can try re-using the winder. There are two important requirements: the cable drums must be tight against the bearings, and the cones must be tight against the inner pvc tube when you tighten the set screws.

Another option is to secure the cone to the winder with JB weld from your local auto parts store.

A third option is to drill through the winder and insert 1/4" x 1" screws into the ears of the cone. This will not allow you to use the winder to wind the spring, but you can use bars to wind the spring. I did this on a door about eight months ago and it is still working.

Another option is to order a standard spring with standard cones and add a spring anchor bracket next to the winder.

Another option is to install two springs. Most Clopay and Ideal garage doors with EZ-Set systems use split shafts with couplers in the center. On this system you could install two spring anchor brackets to the right and left of the coupler. If the door has a one-piece shaft, only one spring bracket would be needed for two springs.

These options all re-use the existing drums, bearings and end brackets.

Another option would be to convert to standard cable drums, standard end bearing plates, and a one-piece shaft. This is what the professionals like to do. For the do-it-yourselfer it costs more and takes more time, but one-piece shafts may not be readily available. If not the coupled shaft will work just as well. You can see pictures of the one-piece shaft assembly at our torsion spring replacement page.

If we can ever help with any questions please contact us.