Auto Garage Door Problem

Silicone can be used. But anything that attracts dust may cause more problems.

Have you gone to the maker's web site to look at what they say about lubrication?

Me, I'd use a dry lube. Maybe teflon powder.

Teflon Dry Lube - Amazon.com

And the problem may not be lubrication.

Another reason to visit the makers site to look for trouble shooting hints.

By now, it should be obvious to you that I'm not an, "auto garage door expert".

If all else fails, leave it open.

To be clear, I'm referring to sectional garage doors with torsional springs, as shown below. Silicone spray should work, but I prefer white lithium spray lubricant. Lubrication points: 1. track rollers and hinges, #18, 2. trolley #32 and track #26, 3. chain or screw, if used, and 4. gears in operator #24. Some people oil the roller track, #20, but this just serves to collect dust.You should first disconnect the operator linkage from the door, and make sure the door operates (opens and closes) smoothly and easily by hand. If it doesn't, check for broken or sticking rollers, bent track, and broken or binding springs and cables. It is very important that the door operate properly by hand before the operator is connected.

I installed one like that for my mum several years ago so that she can drive her electric buggy in & out. I've used the lithium grease & it works well.

I don't care for the torsional spring type. Twice at my previous home I had the springs break. When that happened it took a lot of effort to raise and lower the door, esp on a double-width door.

Btw, you can buy 'garage door track lube'.

Nylofelt™ is associated with Roll-A-Door rolling doors, an Australian door company.

From one of their varied sites:
"No greasing of the door guides is required, and the axle, hubs and all other working components have either been manufactured with self-lubricating materials or greased at the factory."

The felt strips may have worn out. Not certain if just the felts can be replaced... you might have to replace the entire curtain.

The vibration is most likely due to binding somewhere, not lack of lube.

Shoulda gone directly to you with this one.

After all, you are the Doorman.

Well, meddy hasn't really given us much to go on here.

So far, I've resisted the urge to ask the color of the door curtain... not sure how long I can hold it in.

You expect adequate information?????

What color do you suppose it is? I'm curious now.

If the color were described as "Rusty", I would advise a new curtain!

My best guess here is that if the door weight is mediated with a torsion spring, is that the spring is weakening from metal fatigue....this is a common occurrence on garage door assemblies....If the spring has not been tightened before, there is an allowance of a certain amount of turns before replacement is required... tightening the torsion spring or springs, is tricky and dangerous, as the spring is under tremendous tension.....If you don't have anybody that is experienced in doing this, then call a pro....You can test the spring by disconnecting the auto drive mechanism with the lever release that hangs from the assembly....then lifting the door by hand....it should lift easily and once half way up should go by itself the rest of the way up....

http://www.omegadoor.com/Detailed%20Garage%20Door%20Installation.htm

Had the garage door springs replaced the other day. When the repair guy completed the work he put spray lubricant on the springs and on the track and all the side bar wheels and the chain drive. He said will last about 1 to 2 years then just spray again. Keep it quiet. And it did quiet down.

That's what I used...didn't hurt a thing. You could also use white lithium.

Thank you all of you for the valuable advices. The door is a roller type that rolled up at top, not the panel type that moves on cable or chain. I'll certainly try silicon spray first, if that doesn't work , then I 'll try the dry lube. But it has been working fine, except for the vibration, for the past few days. Thank you all.

I'm NOT an expert on the topic but I've been around the block more than once. spray silicone has its uses but as it was pointed out is a magnet for dirt and dust and will just gum things up in time......Teflon is the same. if you recall in the 80s Oil for automotive engines was being produced that contained Teflon, it was suppose to be the new rage in hi-performance oil that was sure to supplant graphite.....both went the way of T-Rex, Teflon also gummed up motors. grease has worked for a couple of hundred years and has a lot longer life of service than a spray on film...get a clean rag and some general purpose grease and lube away and forget it

Mmm. Something to consider, my garage door is getting more squeaky and groany lately. Silicone spray does not seem to last. One of my technicians swears by a dry carbon lubricant, they used it for lubricating outdoor padlocks and the like, and it is not oily, nor does it collect dust. Will see the price! And thanks to the contributor about lubricating the springs, that may help me too.