Garage door fun: manually releasing garage door from the "up" position...

[miguel]

So, my opener went belly up this morning. Problem is, it was 80% or more "open". I believe it is a stripped nylon gear inside the mechanism (Craftsman 1/2 HP, chain-style from late 90s) based on my amateur analysis.

I was going to release it manually to close it -- and yes, I know doing so in the "up" position means the SOB is gonna come down like a ton of bricks, but I think I have that part mitigated -- but the damn rope on the manual release broke and I have tried inserting some paracord but it isn't releasing for some reason.

Ideas on how to get it to release are welcome.

 

[Rookie]

It shouldn't come crashing down unless the springs are broken.

 

[Rookie]

Pics of release?

 

[Ryninger]

Should be a pin on the door hinge you can remove easily.... If the door has been adjusted properly periodically, it should stay static.

 

[Ryninger]

If it's a chain drive, go to a bike shop or Walmart and get a cheap chain breaker...

 

[1911ly]

If your springs are set right the door will move easily. If it doesn't, it could be why your gear failed.

 

[eldirector]

Pull the pin where the opener's lift bracket meets the door.

Bottom-left of this pic, right above the yellow sticker on the door:

 

[miguel]

Here is what mine looks like:

 

[Rookie]

Just pull the pin out of the left side.

It looks like the release needs pulled at an angle towards the garage door.

 

[miguel]

OK, I will give this a shot, but will wait for someone else to get to the house in case it kills me.

For the record, in case the spring is broken, I am going to place several NASCAR tires in the path of the door to block it from hitting the ground as hard as it would otherwise.

 

[1911ly]

Where the rope is tied should just pull down to disengage. Have someone push up on the door a little while you pull. Pulling the pin works too.

 

[femurphy77]

Where the rope is tied should just pull down to disengage. Have someone push up on the door a little while you pull. Pulling the pin works too.

Easiest but not nearly as exciting.

 

[1911ly]

Easiest but not nearly as exciting.

So true!! BTW, the tire ideal is awesome! That opener looks pretty close to the old one I had.

 

[49CJ3A]

Take a 2x4 or a long pole and prop under the door to take the pressure off the lift. Then try pulling the manual release or pins on either side of the lift arm. The springs should hold the door or let it drift down slowly. If they were sprung its not likely the door would have opened anyway.

 

[miguel]

Just pull the pin out of the left side.

It looks like the release needs pulled at an angle towards the garage door.

Take a 2x4 or a long pole and prop under the door to take the pressure off the lift. Then try pulling the manual release or pins on either side of the lift arm. The springs should hold the door or let it drift down slowly. If they were sprung its not likely the door would have opened anyway.

OK, since two of you guys said it, I figured it would be safe...

Rep to both of you, I pulled the pin then gently slid the door down!

Found the parts I need, well at least the parts I am going to try repairing the opener with, at Sears for $30. Will follow up with a post when I make it over there and effect a repair.

Thanks, INGO!

p.s. This is what appears to be my issue...when I opened the case it looked like two inches of nylon shavings had built up!

[video=youtube;w4bgS9_u2u0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4bgS9_u2u0[/video]

 

[long coat]

I just replaced that same stuff on my opener. Also a Craftsman. The parts are cheaper on Amazon.

 

[miguel]

I just replaced that same stuff on my opener. Also a Craftsman. The parts are cheaper on Amazon.

Rep'ed.

Can't wait until we can 3D print this kind of thing.

 

[printcraft]

ALSO: on the springs, if you can't open the door easily with just hand strength with the opener disconnected then you might want to get the springs replaced.
It could be making your opener work harder and tearing your gear set up.

 

[miguel]

Springs are solid, recently replaced, but that is good to know! The gear inside the unit is shredded, like the one in the video I posted.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Open the hatch on your car and just back out