Over time, garage door rollers can wear out and put a strain on the opening mechanism, making it harder to open your garage.It is easy to replace the rollers on your garage with a few tools.The horizontal track of your garage door is where the top 2 rollers need to be changed.The garage door will open smoothly if you change the rollers.
Step 1: You need to open your garage door.
It is easier to work from the roller closest to the bottom of the garage door.If you have a power opener, you can use it to open the garage door.
Step 2: If you have a power opener, remove it from the garage door.
Pull the rope attached to the power opener to open the garage door.The power opener should not be activated while you replace the rollers if you use a ladder.If the power opener is hard-wired into your garage, you should turn it off.
Step 3: The track is near the front of the garage.
There is a seam near the top of the track.Take one side of the track and bend it to a 90-degree angle with a pair of pliers.You have to pry open the track until you reach a small section.The rollers can be popped in and out of the track.You can use the back side of a claw hammer if you don't have a pair of pliers.
Step 4: If you pried open the garage door, you want the roller to line up with the track.
Pull the door slowly so you don't lose control.Hold the garage door in place with your non-dominant hand when the first roller is lined up with the part of the track you pried open.You don't have to support the door's weight while you work on the rollers if you have a helpers hold it for you.You should keep a work table near the side of the garage to make it easier to access tools.
Step 5: Remove the first roller with a screwdriver.
Use your dominant hand to slide the end of a flathead screwdriver underneath the roller.Pull the handle up to get the roller.It can be removed if it pops out from the track.The garage door will come out of the track well when you take out the roller.If you support the door with your other hand, it won't fall down.
Step 6: The old roller should be removed and the new roller put in its place.
Pull the current roller out of place by grabbing the round end.Take one of your new garage rollers and place it on the hinge.You don't need to loosen or tighten screws to change the roller.You can buy garage door rollers at your local hardware store.Use steel or nylon rollers with ball bearings to open your garage door.
Step 7: The roller should be in the track.
Lift the garage door to get the roller and track lined up again.The roller should be in the center of the track.Hit the end of the roller with a hammer and push it back into place.The roller should move in a straight line.The roller can pop into the track without using a hammer.
Step 8: The top rollers on the side you are working on should be replaced.
Pull the garage door down.If you want to replace the roller with a new one, you have to pry it out of the track.Continue until you have one roller left on the top panel of the garage door.When you are done, open the garage door.The garage doors have rollers.The garage door's height affects the number of rollers.
Step 9: The track was closed again.
You can close the section of track you bent earlier by using your pliers.If the track is not flush at the seam, your rollers will catch on it.
Step 10: The process should be repeated with the rollers on the other side.
You can bend the vertical track near the seam by going to the other side of the garage door.Pull the garage door to get the roller to line up with the bent track.Continue working on the rollers until you replace all but the top 2 rollers.If you don't bend the track back into place when you're done, your garage door may come loose.
Step 11: The track is 1 ft (30 cm) from the bottom of your door.
When the garage door is open, make sure to secure a hand-clamp near the bottom of the door.The garage door will fall down if you replace the roller on top.If you don't have a door, ask a person to help.
Step 12: Remove the roller from the track with a screwdriver.
You can easily get to the top roller if you climb a ladder.Use your non-dominant hand to support the garage door.Remove the end of the flathead screwdriver from the track.The garage door will fall if you pop the roller out of the track.It should not hit you in the head.You should always maintain 3 points of contact with your ladder.Otherwise, have someone hold the ladder for you.
Step 13: The old roller needs to be replaced with a new one.
Pull on the round end of the roller to pull it out.Remove it and then slide the new roller in to replace it.There will be no screws or nuts to hold it in place.
Step 14: The roller can be popped back in if you turn the track with your hand.
The roller brackets should be in your dominant hand.Take the section of track next to your roller and twist it away from you.Take the round part of the roller and put it on the wall.It should be easy to secure the roller inside.If the track isn't easy to turn, then bend it with your pliers.
Step 15: The process can be repeated on the other side of the door.
Bring your ladder to the other side to change the roller on the garage door.Put the old roller in its place and swap it for the new one with your screwdriver.Put the roller in place by turning the track with your hand.