Why Your Garage Door Tracks Get Bent and How to Repair Them

The steel tracks of your garage door guide the rollers as the door travels up and down. If a track becomes bent or misaligned, the rollers can bind, causing the door to get stuck or pop out of the track entirely, presenting a major safety hazard.

Common Causes of Bent Tracks

Tracks can bend due to several common issues:

• Broken Cable: If a lift cable snaps, the door's weight drops unevenly onto one side, bending the vertical track on that side.
• Obstruction in the Track: A tool, broom handle, or toy left in the path of the rollers can bend the track as the door forces its way down.
• Vehicle Impact: Backing a car into the garage door can warp both the door panels and the track framing.

Repairing vs. Replacing Tracks

Minor bends can sometimes be carefully hammered back into alignment using a rubber mallet. However, if the track is kinked or twisted, it must be replaced to ensure the rollers can travel safely. Running a door on compromised tracks will quickly ruin the rollers and opener gears.