Garage Door Repair
Help with doors that will not open, will not close, make noise, or have stopped working the way they should.
Garage Door Cable Repair in Murfreesboro, TN
Door hanging crooked or jammed after a cable snapped? Call to speak with a garage door specialist about cable repair.
At a glance: A snapped or frayed cable leaves the door crooked, jammed, or uneven. Cables work with the springs, so both should be inspected together. Do not force a crooked door — call for service assistance.
Garage door cables are the steel lines that connect the spring system to the bottom of the door, keeping the door level as it rises and falls. When a cable snaps, frays, or slips off its drum, the door loses its balance: one side drops, the door hangs crooked, and it can jam in the tracks or refuse to move at all.
Cables work together with the springs, so cable problems and spring problems often appear together. This website helps homeowners connect with independent local contractors who can inspect the cables, springs, and drums as a system. We do not perform cable work ourselves.
Common signs you need garage door cable repair
Cable trouble usually shows up as a door that is no longer level or smooth.
- The door hangs crooked, with one side clearly lower than the other
- A cable hanging loose beside the door, or lying on the garage floor
- Visible fraying, rust, or broken strands on a cable
- The door jerks, catches, or jams partway up or down
- The door will not close evenly, leaving a gap on one side
- A loud snap followed by the door dropping on one side
What usually causes this problem
Cables fail from wear, rust, and stress. Each time the door moves, the cables wind and unwind on the drums above the door. Over years of cycles, individual strands break and the cable frays. Moisture in the garage can cause rust, which weakens the steel further. A cable can also slip off its drum if the door is operated while a spring is broken, or if the door is forced when it is jammed.
Because the two cables share the door's weight, one failing cable puts extra load on the other — so a frayed cable that is left in place can lead to the second cable failing too. That is why a visibly frayed cable is worth calling about even if the door still works.
How the problem is usually fixed
A contractor will inspect both cables, the drums they wind on, and the springs, because a cable problem can be a symptom of a spring problem. Replacing a cable involves securing the door, safely releasing spring tension, fitting a new cable of the correct length and strength, and re-tensioning the system so the door lifts evenly.
Cables are not interchangeable by guesswork: the length and thickness must match the door's weight and the drum size. After fitting, the contractor will test the door through several full cycles to confirm it rises level and closes evenly, and will check the rollers and tracks for any damage caused while the door was running crooked.
Talk about your garage door cable repair with a specialist
Describe what your door is doing — it will not open, it hangs crooked, the opener hums, or a spring has broken — and a contractor can discuss the next steps with you.
Safety first: garage door springs are under high tension. Do not attempt to repair a spring or cable yourself, and do not force a door that is stuck, crooked, or off its track. Leave the door where it is, unplug the opener if it keeps trying to run, and call for service assistance.
What to expect when you call
When you call, describe whether the door is crooked, whether you can see a loose or frayed cable, and whether the door is open or closed. If the door is stuck open or hanging unevenly, say so. Do not try to force a crooked door up or down, and do not try to reattach a cable yourself — the cables are connected to the spring system, which is under high tension. Leave the door as it is and call for service assistance.
How it works
- Call. Call (615) 845-8263 and describe the problem in your own words.
- Describe the problem. Note what the door does, what it sounds like, and whether it is open or closed.
- Connect with a contractor. We help connect you with an independent local contractor.
- Discuss next steps. The contractor discusses the repair or installation with you and arranges a visit if needed.
Related services
Garage Door Installation
New garage door installation for homes in Murfreesboro, including insulated and carriage-house style doors.
Garage Door Replacement
Replace a damaged, worn-out, or outdated garage door with a new door that fits your home.
Garage Door Opener Repair
Help with openers that hum, click, reverse, or stop responding to the remote, keypad, or wall control.
Garage Door Spring Repair
Help with broken torsion and extension springs — the most common reason a door suddenly becomes too heavy to lift.
Off-Track Door Repair
Help with a garage door that has come off its tracks, jammed, or will not move smoothly along the rails.
Emergency Garage Door Repair
Help when a garage door problem cannot wait — a door stuck open, a broken spring, or a door that will not secure your home.
Where this service is available
This service is available to homeowners in Murfreesboro, TN, and the surrounding service areas: Smyrna, La Vergne, Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Antioch, Nolensville, and Lebanon. See the full list on our service areas page.
From the blog
Helpful guides related to this service:
- Garage Door Cable Snapped: What to Do Next — A snapped cable leaves the door crooked and jammed, and it puts extra load on the other cable. Stop using the door and call for help.
- Garage Door Off Track: Causes and What to Do — An off-track door leans, jams, or stops moving. The cause is usually an impact, a worn roller, or a failed spring or cable — and forcing it only makes it worse.
- Seasonal Garage Door Maintenance Checklist for Murfreesboro Homeowners — A short seasonal check catches worn springs, dry hinges, and dirty sensors before they become a breakdown. Here is what to look at each season.
See all guides on our blog.
Frequently asked questions
The door loses its balance and usually hangs crooked, with one side lower than the other. It may jam in the tracks or refuse to move. The remaining cable carries extra load, so the door should not be used until the cable is replaced.
It is not advisable. A frayed cable can snap without warning, and when it does the door can drop on one side or jam. If you can see broken strands or fraying, call for service assistance and stop using the door.
Yes. The cables connect the spring system to the door, so they work as one system. A broken spring can cause a cable to slip off its drum, and a failed cable can put extra strain on the springs. A contractor will usually inspect both together.
Cables typically last as long as the springs — many years under normal use — but rust, moisture, and heavy use shorten their life. Regular inspection can catch fraying before a cable snaps.
A crooked door is most often caused by a broken or slipped cable, a broken spring on one side, or a roller that has come out of its track. All three need a contractor to inspect, because forcing a crooked door can bend the tracks and cause more damage.
Need garage door cable repair? Call today.
Call now to speak with a garage door specialist about your door, or get service assistance through our contact page.