EZ-Set Garage Door Torsion Springs

So your garage door uses the EZ-Set torsion spring system. You have a lot of options to restore your door to its previous working order. If you want, you can stay with the EZ-Set system, or you can convert to the Standard Torsion Spring system.

Introduction to EZ-Set Torsion Springs

The EZ-Set Torsion Spring System was first developed by the Ideal Door Company in Baldwin, Wisconsin. Ideal Door was later purchased by Clopay Door. The EZ-Set System is now sold under both the Ideal Door name and the Clopay Door name.

The EZ-Set Torsion Spring System allows homeowners and Do-It-Yourselfers to change their own springs much more safely than if they had the standard torsion spring system. Instead of winding the springs with winding bars which, if the Do-It-Yourselfer does not already have, are frequently replaced with even more dangerous screwdrivers, this system uses a special winder that just requires the use of a drill.

EZ-Set torsion springs use a winding cone as a stationary cone.
EZ-Set torsion springs use a winding cone, like the one pictured here, as a stationary cone.
The EZ-Set Spring has a winder cone on the end which secures to the winder. The winder is held in place by the end bracket, so the torsion springs are on the ends of the door instead of in the middle. The other end of the torsion spring has a stationary cone which, in most cases, is called a winding cone. Standard torsion springs uses this cone to wind the spring and then secure it to the shaft by tightening the setscrews. EZ-Set torsion springs use this cone to secure the spring to the shaft before the spring is wound.

One unique characteristic of these springs is that they are manufactured with gaps between the coils. They are also installed with a spacer on the shaft inside the spring. This spacer keeps the torsion spring stretched to its necessary length. Standard torsion springs will not work on these doors. This is because the coils need to be gapped. If you stretch a standard spring to obtain the necessary gapping, the winding cone will pull out of the winder - if not when it is stretched, it will when the door is opened. EZ-Set springs are pre-gapped and held to the proper length so that the coils will not bind. As a result, each spring tends to appear more slinky-like than standard springs.

Back to Top

EZ-Set Springs & Options

You have several replacement options when you have EZ-Set springs. If you choose to stay with this system, you have two choices for springs. If the winder is broken, you have several more options. You can also choose to convert over to a standard torsion spring system.

Replace Your EZ-Set Springs with DDM Specially-Gapped springs.

This is the most economical way to fix your door. We suggest that you reuse the cones on your existing springs and the spacer inside. Or, if you prefer, you can purchase these springs assembled with the cones and spacer. The most common spring, the 47" - 1-3/4" ID - .234 sells for about $50 plus shipping and handling. Instructions for Replacing EZ-Set Torsion Springs are also available to help you with the project.

EZ-Set springs are very slinkey
EZ-Set springs, because they are specially gapped in the factory, tend to be much more flexible than standard torsion springs.
Our specially gapped springs have the same properties so they can work with your EZ-Set system. Most standard torsion springs are not OEM springs because they can come from various manufacturers and function the same as the original spring. Our specially-gapped springs are not manufactured by Clopay or Ideal, but they are suitable replacements. And depending on inventory levels we can often provide longer life gapped springs for your EZ-Set system.

If you buy longer life springs from us the inner spacer will be shorter than your new spring. This spacer can be discarded as long as you remember to properly set the length of the spring to provide the space to accommodate the addition of 11 coils on seven foot high doors and 13 coils on eight foot high doors.

Replace Your EZ-Set Springs with Clopay Springs

If you prefer, you can order an OEM replacement spring that Clopay makes. This has the advantage of coming assembled with the cones and spacer.

The main disadvantages of this option are cost and delivery time. The spring mentioned in the section above would cost about $90, whereas our specially-gapped spring only costs about $65 assembled with cones and spacer. In addition to this our inventory of OEM EZ-Set springs is limited, so there may be a delay getting the springs.

Convert to Standard Torsion Springs

Some people decide that they would rather convert over to a standard torsion spring system. This can be done by installing a spring anchor bracket next to the winder and securing a standard torsion spring with standard cones to it. If you have two EZ-Set springs on your door and you have a split shaft and coupler, you can purchase two spring anchor brackets and install them on both sides of the coupler. If you do not have a split shaft, you only need one spring anchor bracket.

Necessary hardware to convert from Clopay's EZ-Set hardware to the standard torsion spring system
The necessary hardware to make the conversion.
If you decide to convert all of your hardware to a standard system, you will need to purchase several parts: 1 Spring Anchor Bracket, 1 pair of End Bearing Plates, and a pair of 4" Cable Drums. You may be better off purchasing the kits for the end bearing plates and the spring anchor bracket as they include the necessary fasteners. Our Double EZ-Set Conversion tutorial will assist you in converting your hardware.

Typically, the professionals would install a one-piece shaft if you have a two-piece shaft and coupler. Since these shafts are expensive to ship, it may not be readily available. The two-piece shaft, however, will suffice for the standard system.

Winder Options

Directions to remove the winder cone from the winder unit on Clopay EZ-Set Springs.
Our EZ-Set Torsion Spring Replacement tutorial shows how to remove the winder unit from the winder cone using a trick with two quarters.
If you found the winder cone no longer inside of the winder when the spring broke, the winder is broken. Sometimes the spring will work okay even after the tabs break off of the winder, but we cannot guarantee that yours will.

If you have a second spring on your door, unwind it from the winder unit using a drill with a socket extension. Once all the springs are unwound (the broken spring is already unwound), remove the cones from the EZ-Set springs. For instructions on doing this, see our EZ-Set Torsion Spring Replacement tutorial. Steps 10-14 show how to remove the stationary cone, and steps 27-37 show how to remove the winder and the winder cone. If your winder unit is not broken and the tabs are still in tact, you can reuse your winder.

If the tabs of the winder are broken, you have several options. You can buy a new winder, which will cost about $25. If you need two winders, it will be about $50. Another option is to secure the winder cone to the winder unit with JB Weld from your local auto parts store.

You may be able to reuse the winder if it is broken. When you tighten the setscrews on the stationary cone, make sure that the spacer is tight against the two cones. Also, the cable drums must be tight against the bearings. There is no guarantee that this will work, but it could save you $25 if it keeps you from needing a new winder.

Another option is to drill through the winder and insert 1/4" X 1" screws into the ears of the winder cone. This will not allow you to use the winder to wind the spring, but you can use bars instead. Instructions are in section 10 of our Torsion Spring Replacement tutorial. (Be sure to read the safety warnings in section 2!) I did this on a door about 2 years ago and it is still working.

Back to Top

Determining What EZ-Set Torsion Springs You Need

In order to replace your EZ-Set springs, you will need to make some careful measurements. This hold true for whatever type of spring you purchase: Clopay's EZ-Set springs, our specially-gapped springs, or standard torsion springs for a conversion project.

Disadvantages of Your Current Springs

When Clopay ships out their EZ-Set Torsion Springs, they want the door weight to be within 20 lbs of how much the springs will lift. This is quite a generous gap. We suggest that the lift of the springs you install on your door be within 10 lbs of the door weight. The will help your door balance and operate properly.

If you operated your garage door manually (without the opener) before the spring broke, was it easy to open? If the springs are well-matched with the door weight, it should have been easy to open the door. At the same time, the door should have stayed on the ground when it was closed. If this is the case, you can replace your old spring with a new spring with the same dimensions. (I have two springs: Should I replace them both?)

Make sure that you compress the coils of the Clopay EZ-Set spring.
Make sure that you compress the coils of the spring when you measure the wire size and the length.
To order the same spring, you will need to make some measurements. You will need to determine the wire size of the spring. Since EZ-Set springs are gapped, you need to compress the coils so that there are no gaps when you do your 20- and 10-coil counts. Go to our How to Measure Torsion Springs instructions for more information.

You will also need to measure the compressed length of the spring. To measure the length of the broken spring, you will want to compress the coils on each part of the spring and measure the compressed length from the edge of the gap to the end of the wire. Add the two lengths together for the total spring length. For more information on measuring the length of your spring, see our How to Measure Torsion Springs instructions.

The last piece of information is the wind of the spring. If you spring is on the right side of the door, it is right wind. If it is on the left side, it is left wind. See our How to Measure Torsion Springs page for more information.

What to Measure

If you want a spring that will work better with your door, you have two options. Your new spring will ultimately be determined by your door weight, but you can either find the model number or you can weigh the door yourself.

Look for a label that has the serial number.
Many garage doors have a label on the bottom section that gives the serial number.
If you decide to find your door information, we need the following information: the manufacturer and model number, the number of struts on the door, the door dimensions, and the track radius. See below for more information regarding these measurements.

If you weigh the door yourself, we need the following information: the door weight, the door dimensions, and the track radius.

Measure the distance from the bottom of the track joint to the bottom of the horizontal track.
Hold a level at the bottom of the vertical and horizontal track junction, and measure the distance from the bottom of the horizontal track to the top of the level.
The manufacturer and model number are usually on a sticker located on the bottom section. Try looking between the edge of the door and the tracks.

The number of struts varies depending on the situation. These are silver metal bars that run across the width of the door that are about 2-1/4" or 3" off the inside face of the door.

The door dimensions are the width of the door and the height of the door.

The track radius, pictured on the left, is also discussed in our Frequently Asked Questions.

The door weight is determined using an analog scale. See our How to Weight a Garage Door instructions for accurate weighing instructions.

How to Use Our "Find My Spring™ Database"

You can use our Find My Spring Database™ only if you measured your old spring. If you are purchasing Clopay's OEM springs instead of our specially-gapped springs, contact us for pricing.

If you measured your old springs, you can enter the wire size and length of your spring into our database. Select your door height. The "ID" (inside diameter) is 1-3/4" for EZ-Set Torsion Springs. Standard torsion springs have various inside diameters, but Clopay uses 1 3/4" inside diameter springs for all their EZ-Set systems.

Because of the special processing our gapped springs cost a little more. After you click the "Go" button, you will see a heading that says "Your Torsion Spring". The two springs are right and left wind with the dimensions you entered.

The price shown is not correct for our specially-gapped replacement springs. Click the "calculate" button in the "Price No Cones" column, and add $10 to this price. This is the price of the spring without cones as it is more economical to reuse your old cones. Add another $20 if you would like the spring assembled with cones and spacer.

The number of cycles shown is not correct for our specially-gapped replacement springs. This is due to Clopay's 3" cable drums as opposed to the standard residential 4" drums on which the cycles are based. The springs below your spring are alternate options with different cycle ratings. One cycle occurs when the garage door opens then closes.

You can compare the number of cycles shown for your spring with the number of cycles for some of the other springs. Though the cycle life is incorrect, an alternate spring with a longer life cycle will also last longer, and vice versa. Each of the similar springs will work as a replacement for your old EZ-Set torsion spring.

If you would like to know the exact cycle life of your spring, contact us and we can calculate it for you.

How to Order

To order new specially-gapped replacement springs, you will need to contact us with the information you gathered above. If you send us your door information, we need the:

  1. Model Number
  2. Door dimensions
  3. Track radius
  4. Number of struts & height from the door
If you weighed the door, we need the following information:
  1. Door weight
  2. Door dimensions
  3. Track radius
If you measured your springs, we need the:
  1. Wire size of the spring
  2. Length of the spring
  3. Spring wind and/or side of the door

The more information that you give us, the smaller the chance for mistakes. For more information, see our How to Order page.

Back to Top