My existing Chamberlain GDO is making some strange noises and I need to plan for a replacement. I have seem some community members mention jackshaft openers and the idea of freeing up ceiling space is very attractive. Wanted to see if any of you that transitioned from a traditional GDO to a jackshaft have any feedback or gotchas to be aware of.
I realize I will need a receptacle which I can easily take care of and I know my existing RATGDO will work with the Liftmaster jackshaft openers.
I have a Liftmaster jackshaft GDO and it's great. All the gotcha's are on the Installer. It's a more difficult install for that person, especially the risk related to the spring tension.
There is wear and tear on the 'cable take up spool' and at the end of its useful life the cable can slip off. So.. just inspect the mechanism periodically and know the recommended intervals. I honestly don't feel it's worse than a traditional GDO but the difference in how it works means what to look for changes too. I've had this specific Liftmaster for 13 years and had to replace those take up spools along with the springs about 4 months ago. So.. a good long life.
Tensioning the Springs needs slightly special tools. They have two rods that are just the right size to fit in the bolts. If a rod slips out, the other might rotate at high speed as the spring reverts. Generally your head will be right there, in perfect placement to receive a significant injury. And you have to do it twice.. for each of the two springs.
It's nothing a DIYer can't do.. and injury is often related to luck... so stock up on your Luck.
I can second that warning, the springs on a garage door are seriously not for DIY.
I am guessing you need to mess with the rod and springs for a jackshaft? Where as a regular GDO could be replaced without touching the springs, wires, and drums assuming they are all still working correctly.
I installed a jackshaft myself about a year or so ago. Didn’t need to mess with the springs. As far as I’m aware, if the tension is good for the overhead style, it should be good for the jackshaft style. (There was nothing in the installation instruction specifying a change was needed…)
The Jackshaft was extremely easy to install. As I recall, just push it in place over the shaft, screw it in place, and done. Then the cables need to be connected. You may need to extend the opener cable if like me it came out in the middle of the ceiling…
I have to say that I really love how quiet that style of opener is. And kind of like how it slows down during the end of the open/close cycle… It’s the little things sometimes…
That was one thing I was not sure of since it attaches differently. If you don't need to mess with the tension system I would say go for the DIY. Just be extra careful around the rod, drums, wires and springs.
These are the springs I refer to.. which slide onto the jackshaft itself.
They join above and in the center of the door.
If the installation you're investigating uses the "old fashioned" springs that are on the left and right outside edges of the doors, then yea, the safety went way up.
It's a more difficult install for that person, especially the risk related to the spring tension.
