How to Adjust a Garage Door Bracket

Adjust track brackets to accommodate door and opening swelling.

As your garage and garage door age, the door might begin to bind against the opening. This is due to swelling and contracting of the wood frame and distortions in the garage door. When this happens it is necessary to adjust the door tracks. The tracks securely attach to the wall with brackets near the bottom and middle of the track. These brackets are adjustable to move the door away from the door jamb or in some cases closer to the jamb.

Things You'll Need

• 7/16-inch wrench
• 7/16-inch socket wrench
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Loosen the lower and middle track bracket bolts with a 7/16-inch wrench or socket wrench. You only need to loosen the nuts two complete revolutions.

2. Place the claw of a hammer between the back of the door track and the door jamb near the bottom of the track. Pry the track away from the jamb just enough so the outside edge of the door is no longer rubbing.

3. Hold the hammer and tighten the track bracket bolts with the wrench or socket wrench. Adjust the track brackets on the opposite side of the door in the same manner.

Tips & Warnings

• If the track has been hit, loosen the track bracket bolts and hit the bracket with your hammer from the inside of the track. There should be a 1/2-inch gap between the edge of the door and the inside edge of the track. Tighten the bolts after adjusting.

• Do not loosen the long upper bracket from the wall. This bracket supports the top of the vertical tracks and the horizontal tracks. It also supports the spring tension. Loosening this portion of track will cause serious damage and possible injury.

References

• AAA Remotes: Garage Door Installation
• DDM Garage Doors: Troubleshooting