Garage Door Opener Too Long



Question:
Can you shorten a chain driven garage door opener? I have 118" between wall and beam in center of garage and the opener is 124".

Answer:
AFAICS the only thing limiting your shortening the rail would be the height of your garage door and the availability of the proper tools. But, if push came to shove, you might just get by with not pulling the door "entirely Up" and flat. Chances are the rail is made up from several pieces for easier shipping, and you'll have to shorten one of those pieces and then drill some new holes in it where the fasteners go. Shortening the chain is a no-brainer, if you don't have access to a "chain breaker" then just grind or file off the headed over "rivets" on the desdired link of the chain and pry the side plate off. You might need to pick up a "repair link" at the corner hardware store if you want to make a really neat job of things without disturbing the attachment of the cable which usually takes the place of the "slack part" of the chain.





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