Garage Door Opener Problem



Question:
I used the white lithium grease. Sears said it would be fine for garage doors. I looked at the directions on a package for another lithium grease and did basically what it said. I ran it over all of chain and the metal bar in the middle. Not sure the exact name but it's next to chain and goes parallel to chain. I did made the mistake of putting it on the rollers. This was during summer. I wiped off most of the grease on the rollers but there was a slight amount that got in the tracks. Now that you mention it the problem started happening recently and for the past 2 weeks it's been super cold (under freezing by alot). Could even a slight amount cause it? I didn't lube the axles of the rollers since there was grease in there already

Answer:
"Grendel" I am a garage door opener installer in southern NJ. I have seen the heavier greases cause a build up of dirt and crud that leads to gum ups but don't think this is your problem. The noise is likely your stationary pulleys over which the cables from extension springs pass. They wear and turn into cams which get out out of phase with each other causing the door to cock back and forth sometimes driving itself into vertical track. The test is too spray inner circle of the pulleys where the bearings are housed. This will normally buy you several months until warmer weather to replace them. If your bearings are totally shot you can feel the slop by wiggling it back and forth when door is in full up position. It tends to be an invisible problem because cable tension hides this giveaway indicator during operation. I only use WD40 for all lubrication on doors. repair FAQ= http://mywebpages.comcast.net/froarty572/openfaq.htm





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