Garage Door Openers

Most people think of "Genie" when it comes to garage door openers. They are probably the most common unit in many homes due mainly to the fact that they can be purchased at The Home Depot or Lowes. That doesn't mean however that they are the best. Over-the-counter sales from a large store chain sometimes means lesser product quality. Genie "screw drive" openers, besides being very loud, typically have only one common part failure. This part is called the 'Carriage'. It has teeth that interlock with the screw drive mechanism which allows the door to travel up and down. If the garage door is too heavy, it can wear down these teeth until they eventually shear off. This part is replaceable.

These products are all manufactured by Chamberlain. These units are available in (3) types: CHAIN drive, SCREW drive & BELT drive. The chain drive unit is most common with new home construction. It's main part failure is the 'Gear & Sprocket'. This failure occurs if the door is too heavy or the chain is too tight. The internal gear will shred if the door is too heavy. You will hear the motor running, but the chain will not move. If the chain is too tight, it will cause the upper bushing to blow and eventually shear off the drive sprocket. A lose drive chain is often a sign that the bushing is broken or worn. This part is replaceable and will last about 8-10 years if the door is properly balanced.