How do you realign your garage door?

To realign your garage door that has become crooked, off track, or uneven when closing, you need to identify the cause and adjust tracks, cables, and springs to restore level movement. First, disconnect the automatic opener by pulling the red emergency release cord to allow manual operation and prevent opener damage. Close the door completely if possible and clamp locking pliers onto the tracks just above the rollers to prevent the door from falling while you work. Inspect the vertical tracks for looseness; tracks should be plumb and spaced about one half inch from the door edge. Loosen the track mounting bolts slightly, not fully removing them, and gently tap the tracks with a rubber mallet until they are vertically straight and parallel. Check cables on both sides to ensure they are equally wound around the drums and not frayed or loose, as uneven cables cause crooked closing. If one cable is slack, it may need to be re-seated in the drum groove, which requires releasing spring tension with winding bars and is best done by a professional. Check springs for breakage, as a broken spring causes heavy imbalance. Lubricate rollers with silicone lubricant. After adjusting, manually lift the door halfway to test balance; it should stay in place. Tighten all bolts, reconnect opener by running it until trolley clicks, and test automatic operation several times. Professional realignment costs 100 to 300 dollars.