Signs That Garage Door Rollers Need to Be Replaced

Like the springs on garage doors, the unit’s rollers also have an estimated cycle rating, meaning that they are designed to work a set number of times. Each cycle is the garage door opening and closing once. Most residential garage doors are used for about two to three cycles a day, or between 700 and 1,100 times a year.

Garage doors come with a detailed service manual that lists the rollers’ expected service life, among other components. While high-quality rollers are designed to last for at least 10,000 cycles, some plastic rollers will wear out after only a few years on the job. However, the estimated service life of a product is not exact, and garage door rollers are no exception. Garage doors are frequently put through stress damaging the rollers or wearing them out faster than the manufacturer anticipated.

How to know if rollers need to be replaced

In general, it’s best to perform regular inspections of the roller system to look for obvious signs of wear and tear. Bent or loose components usually will need to be fixed or replaced entirely. If the roller wiggles inside the shaft, it’s most likely too worn out to have a good grip and will need to be replaced.

Another somewhat obvious sign that the rollers need to be replaced is unusual or slow garage door operation. If the doors open or close with some creaking or other noises, you should take that as a sign that an inspection is due.

How to extend the life of garage door rollers

Unless the rollers are damaged, worn out, or bent, it’s possible that they just need to be lubricated. Lubricating ball-bearing rollers should be a relatively frequent maintenance task for garage doors. This is usually required twice a year or more, depending on the frequency of use. Lubrication will keep the rollers turning efficiently and without issues.

How to pick new garage door rollers

You’ll need to measure the current rollers (or get the detailed specifications from the user’s manual) and cross-check the available materials with their rated cycle lifetime. Getting an exact fit for the rollers can be challenging since various sizes and types of rollers are on the market.

Generally, nylon rollers with more ball bearings inside will last for the longest. The number of ball bearings also lowers the noise the garage doors make when opening or closing. Other options include steel rollers, which will last long but require more maintenance and might be a noisier option than nylon.

We don’t recommend installing new rollers on the garage doors without professional help. Contact your garage door specialist to replace the rollers quickly and perform an inspection of your garage door to diagnose any potential problems.  

Phoenician Garage Door & Repair offers full-service garage installation, repair and maintenance in Maricopa County. Emergency service available. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Call (602) 610-0112