The garage door tracks guide the rollers and allow the door to open and close smoothly. The tracks also help support the weight of the door to prevent it from sagging or veering off track. The tracks are comprised of two primary sections: the vertical track and the horizontal track.

Unless you have the right skills and knowledge, DIY garage door repair can be a frustrating endeavor. Even if you do manage to make the door work, it could return to its former problem later on. A damaged or malfunctioning door panel or sensor can pose safety issues. Replacing these is a job for a professional.

The rollers on a garage door are one of the most important parts in facilitating smooth operation. When a roller is damaged or worn it can cause the garage door to jerk or surge during operation which can also cause premature wear of drive gears and sprockets on the opener.

Builder-grade garage doors are frequently installed with plastic rollers that consist of a metal shaft with a piece of nylon for the wheels. These rollers have a tendency to drag on the track system creating a loud and obnoxious noise that can become worse with use.

The steel cables connect the spring system to the door and allow it to operate. They move every time the garage door is activated and run over a system of pulleys that wind on a cable drum or spool. Over time these parts can wear from use and deteriorate due to moisture. Rust and corrosion can also accelerate the wear.

If there is a lot of fraying or wear on the cable it should be replaced. This will ensure the door has enough capacity to operate safely.

This is a fairly easy job for a do-it-yourselfer with a little preparation and the right tools. Before starting make sure to wear proper clothing, work gloves, and safety glasses. It is also important to take note of the direction the old cable traveled in the pulley, this will help when installing a new cable.