Frayed or Snapped Garage Door Cables — Fixed Same-Day
Cables fail because cables wear. Yours probably ran 15,000 cycles before fraying — and now they\’re either off the drum, snapped at the bottom bracket, or unraveling fast. Eastwood replaces both cables, re-spools the drums, and re-balances the door same-day. Standard turnaround is 60 minutes.
What a cable failure looks like
- Door hangs crooked when half-open — one cable broken, the other still pulling.
- Loud snap followed by the door dropping a few inches — cable failed mid-cycle.
- Cable unwound from the drum — usually accompanies a spring break.
- Visible fraying at the bottom bracket — replace before it snaps.
- Door won\’t fully close — slack cable, the safety reverse trips.
Why cable replacement is always a \’do-both\’ job
If one cable broke, the other one is the same age and ran the same cycles. We never replace just one cable — both come off, both get replaced with matching gauge galvanized aircraft cable, and both drums get inspected for grooving. That\’s the only way to guarantee the door will balance and track correctly.
Heavy-duty galvanized aircraft cable
The cable on your truck and the cable on your garage door come from the same world: 7×19 galvanized aircraft cable. We use 1/8″ diameter for residential 7-foot doors and 5/32″ for 8-foot+ doors. This is the cable that holds airplane wings together. It does not stretch, does not corrode, and rated to break only above 1,700 lb of pull. Your door pulls 80–120 lb. Math checks out.
Pricing — what cable jobs really cost
Most cable replacements are $130-250 for both cables, drum inspection, and re-balance. Variables:
- Cable gauge: 1/8″ (most common) vs. 5/32″ (heavy doors).
- Drum condition: if the drum has cable grooves worn into it, it needs replacement too. Add $50–$80 per drum.
- Bottom bracket: these can get bent when a cable snaps. Add $30 if needed.
- Service call fee: waived when you book the repair.
Call (833) 327-8963 for a free on-site estimate. We\’ll have it done in an hour.
Why cables fail — and how to make new ones last
Cables fail from corrosion (humid garages or coastal salt air), from rust at the bottom bracket where water pools, and from cycling against worn drums. Once we install new cables, we lubricate the drums, treat the bottom brackets with anti-corrosion spray, and recommend a maintenance plan to inspect them annually. Cables installed correctly and maintained should run 15,000+ cycles before they need replacement again.
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Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before booking a service.
How long does cable replacement take?
Both cables, drum inspection, and door re-balance — under 60 minutes typically.
Can I keep using the door with one cable broken?
No. The door is unbalanced and dangerous — it can fall hard or twist out of the tracks. Stop using it until a tech replaces both cables.
Do I need to replace the springs at the same time?
Only if the springs are at end of life. We'll inspect them while we're there — most cable jobs do not require spring work.
Will my opener work normally after the repair?
Yes — we re-balance the door so the opener doesn't have to fight the cables. If anything, it'll work better.