Garage Door panel replacement??

[BadeMillsap]

I'm wondering if any one has "experience" in replacing the panels and bottom "rail" on a sectional "rollup" style garage door ...

Over the last several years the bottom rail, some of the "apparently hardboard" panels and "stiles" <?> on the bottom row of the garage door at the back of the shop have rotted to where soon it will basically be "gone".

Looking at the thing it LOOKS like I can relatively easily remove that whole bottom row of panels, use those pieces parts as templates and make replacements ... I don't see any reason to disrupt the springs, cables, rollr tracks ... but that is why I'm asking advice ...

Anyone DONE this and have suggestions or "gottcha's"

This website shows basically an exact picture of how my door is constructed ... (mine is a rear spring vs torsion spring)
Diagram of Garage Door like mine

[BerniePA]

I once took down a set of "barn door" type doors and replaced them with what you have. They were about 6 inches too wide so I did what you are suggesting and took them apart and made the end panels three inches shorter and put them back together. The only difference was I reused parts and did it before the door was hung, but I don't see any problem except that you may have to brace the door from falling "Closed" when you remove the bottom section -- like get something like an old milk crate under there or a couple concrete blocks on end to prevent the door from falling down. Or maybe you could work on it with the door in the raised position, but that would be awkard. Or maybe you can raise it slightly and use the handle bar to "lock" the door in position. Other than that, you should have no problem that I can see.

[Ed62]

you may have to brace the door from falling "Closed" when you remove the bottom section -- like get something like an old milk crate under there or a couple concrete blocks on end to prevent the door from falling down.

If you have the setup I think you have, just use locking pliers or C-clamps. Clamp the rail the rollers roll on, just below the roller above the one you will have to remove to get the bottom panel off. You'll want the door raised a little so removal is easier. The C-clamps will keep the door from falling. Good luck with the project.

Ed

[Uncle Cracker]

I once fabricated the entire lower panel on a single car wooden roll-up door, as the factory unit was rotted beyond repair. It was not difficult, and I had a lot less tooling than I have now. I just used the old parts as a template, and built the new panel out of PT lumber and ply. That was 25 years ago, and it stands to this day...

[Mr__Bill]

If yours is like mine.... spring is connected to a cable and the cable is connected to the shin bone, er the bottom of the bottom panel. When I replaced one a long time ago, had the long springs and not the one over the door. I failed to secure the cable prior to unfastening it. I thought I had but... It was only through the luck of the stupid that no one was killed or injured. You should take a good look at the spring and make sure it's not going to spring on you. After that your home free. Just unbolt the rollers and hinges and reapply to the new panel. connect the cable and it's done. You may want to paint the thing prior to installing it, while it's nice and warm in the garage.

Be sure to have someone with a video camera there to document the job. Funniest Home Videos may like to feature it.

Bill

[BadeMillsap]

You guys are a riot .... but I appreciate your responses!

Sounds like it's as I expected ... not to sure I want the event captured on video as MOST of my home repair projects would only be suitable for pay per view no children allowed audiences ... Thanks for the tips ... I'll heed the advice.