<p>We had a Liftmaster for the last 15 years. Carefree, Worked everytime until a few days ago. Now it just makes a whirring noise and the door doesn’t move at all. Is it worth getting it repaired or wiser to get a new one? I got a quote, repair would cost about a third to a half of a new one installed.</p>
<p>Don’t know if it’s the same problem, but we had a plastic gear wear out. If that’s all it is, it is a minor repair and probably not worth replacing the unit. </p>
<p>We have two single garage doors, and the one the gets the most use is the one with which we have had problems (broken spring, gear, etc.). However, it’s been working relatively trouble free for > 15 yrs.</p>
<p>It could be the gear. The motor is running, I think. It will cost $90 to get someone out and then parts and labor. They claim it could be hard to locate parts on an old machine.</p>
<p>Its time to get a new one if it is a gear problem. It took me few hours to replace, the main thing is to over engineer the unit. If it was a 1/3 hp then buy 1/2 hp this time. I use a 3/4 hp on a double door, less problem ever since.</p>
<p>IF you do not have an opener with current safety features (i.e. the photo-sensors a few inches from ground level) the opener must be replaced. In many states it is illegal to repair an opener without current safety features. (I spent many years as a lawyer for a garage door and opener company). If you do have a photocell opener system, repair would be OK.</p>
<p>I do have all the safety features. My kid was barely two years old when we moved here and got the opener installed. Got the photo sensor. Besides, if it senses too much resistance, it goes back up. The new model they offer is exactly the same as what we have right now. </p>
<p>artlover - Good point about over engineering. It’s 1/2 HP presently for a heavy wooden door.</p>
<p>I think I’d vote for replacement. </p>
<p>At the risk of stating the obvious, I’m assuming that you and the repair fellow checked to make sure the mechanical release that detaches the door from the opener mechanism is in the engaged position. My screwdrive opener just makes a noise and nothing moves if the attaching mechanism becomes detached.</p>
<p>If you can lift the door by hand at all, then it is detached.</p>
<p>Also check the mechanism above the door itself- if the coil breaks the door won’t move. Entirely different than the motor. Have had that part replaced on the most used door.</p>
<p>dadx, I disengaged it to maneuver manually. After shutting it down, we are not using it any more.</p>
<p>wis - Do you mean the springs? They are not broken as far as I can tell. I do wonder tho how long can you keep the springs? I believe it’s about 60 years old.</p>
<p>A 15 year old door opener isn’t worth repairing, imo. I would have a professional come out and inspect/adjust/service ALL the components-- track, chain, coil, hinges, missing hardware, etc. Also, if you don’t lubricate the rollers and hinges periodically you should. I use a Teflon white Lithium grease that comes in a spray can.</p>
<p>The springs that provide the “counterweight” to the door can break and you won’t realize it unless you look closely. If they break, the door is remarkably heavy to lift, especially if it is an older, solid wood type. </p>
<p>Sounds like it something wrong with your mechanism. In that case, I’d go for a new one. Openers take a lot of stress in their daily workload.</p>
<p>Do you have more than one door? The remote from a new opener might not work with the old opener so you will have to have two remotes if you want to be able to open both doors.</p>
<p>Do you have safety cables that go through the springs? Mine didn’t. One of the springs broke one day when the door was closed. It sounded like a cannon going off. The recoil sheared off the 5/16" bolt it was attached to. If someone had been in the garage they could have been killed. I now have the safety cables…</p>
<p>60 years seems really old for a spring.</p>
<p>If you can do the work yourself, I would just replace it. $90 + parts and labor will exceed the cost of a new opener.</p>
<p>Springs don’t last 60 years.</p>
<p>There’s a cable going through the spring. Sounds scary. It is not hard to lift the door at all once it is disengaged from the opener.</p>
<p>How long do springs last? It’s getting me worried. I know we didn’t get new springs. I doubt that previous owners did. They lived here over forty years.</p>
<p>Springs last 10-15 years. They are not difficult or expensive to replace. Replace all the springs at the same time.</p>
<p>I do mean springs- that heavy duty coiled horizontal piece (too lazy to look up terms). When one breaks it doesn’t matter if it should have lasted longer. I’m getting old- I have a huge repetoire of how to do/fix things from experience- and may never need to use the information again.</p>
<p>Does your door have springs on either side- I am assuming this is the case since you talked about cables going through them. A more modern torsion spring(s) runs along the top of the garage door and when it breaks it is contained on the shaft. Springs only break with the door in the fully closed position and there can be a loud noise when they break.</p>
<p>If your springs are 40 years old they need to be in the Museum of Science and Industry! </p>
<p>If I am sounding like an obnoxious expert on all of this, it is because, due to a very unfortunate couple of lawsuits, I am.</p>
<p>Yes, on either side. hmmm, I wonder why the guy who installed the opener didn’t say anything about the springs. I am quite sure they are about 60 years old, museum or not. I’ve been wondering when people replace those. I have someone out every couple of years to clean and lubricate. No one ever said anything about springs.</p>
<p>Is the door sectional or one solid piece of wood that pivots up and down?</p>
<p>
They’re usually replaced when they break. Mine have broken a few times but how long they’ll last depends on a number of things - mostly the weight of the door and how old they are. When they break it’s a loud sound you’d often notice. Usually just one will break and when the door lifts it’ll bang into one side of the openeing due to being out of balance and may not be able to open all the way.</p>