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Garage door opener installation is a project that most homeowners can tackle themselves. While the job may look intimidating at first, the key is to take your time and break it down into smaller tasks. In about a day, you and an assistant can install a garage door opener.
Before You Begin
Unbox the garage door opener and match all parts with the parts listed in the manufacturer’s instructions. Among many other parts in the kit, the main parts are:
- Rail: Smaller, separate rails or tubes that attach to form one rail
- Opener: Garage door opener motor
- Trolley: Trolley, or carriage, that moves along the rail
- Belt: Rubber belt that moves the trolley
- Brackets: Various brackets that attach the rail to the garage door frame and to the ceiling
- Trolley Arm Bracket: A straight arm and curved arm that connect the trolley to the garage door
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Cordless drill
- Socket or wrench set
- Step ladder
- Screwdriver
- Tape measure
- Pencil
Materials
- Garage door opener (belt-style)
Instructions
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Assess Power
The garage door opener must have a 120V outlet installed in the ceiling within two feet of the intended mounting location. The outlet should not be switch-controlled.
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Assemble the Rail
Snap the separate pieces of the rail into each other to create a long, single rail.
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Attach the Rail to the Opener
Attach one end of the rail to the top of the garage door opener. Bolt the rail to the opener with the included bolts and washers. A U-shaped bracket may also need to be attached over the rail and onto the opener.
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Install the Trolley on the Rail
Attach the sliding trolley to the rail, usually starting at one end of the rail.
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Attach the Belt to the Rail
Attach the metal or plastic pulley wheel to the free end of the rail. Slide the belt through the pulley.
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Install the Door Header Bracket
Standing on a ladder, mark a center point above the garage door. If yours is a torsion-style garage door, mark below the spring. Have your assistant manually raise the garage door to its highest point. Mark a horizontal line two inches above the door’s highest point. Screw the door header bracket into place centered above the horizontal line.
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Mount the Opener
Place the ladder below the intended ceiling installation point and rest the opener (with the attached rail) on it. Bolt the mounting bracket to the ceiling. Usually, a pair of metal straps will extend down from the mounting bracket to hold the opener.
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Attach the Rail to the Door Header Bracket
Swing the free end of the rail up and attach it to the door header bracket with the metal pin.
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Install the Garage Door Bracket
Bolt the garage door bracket to the top-center of the garage door.
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Attach the Trolley Arm Brackets
Using the included pin, attach the straight bracket to the bottom of the trolley. Also with a pin, attach the curved bracket to the garage door bracket. Connect the brackets.
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Attach the Emergency Release Handle
Tie the rope release handle to the trolley arm bracket.
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Plug in the Door Opener
Plug the door opener’s power cord into the ceiling outlet.
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Mount and Test the Remote Control
Mount the remote control to the garage wall, near the entrance to the house. Add batteries if this is a wireless unit. For a wired unit, fish the wire through the wall, across the ceiling, and back down to the garage door opener. Open and close the garage door to test it.
When to Call a Professional
If the garage does not already have an outlet installed in the ceiling, call an electrician to install one. If the garage door opener has a wired (not wireless) wall-mount remote unit, have the electrician fish the wire from the wall to the opener location.
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Can I install a garage door opener myself?
You can likely install a garage door opener yourself. Though it’s a physically challenging task, most homeowners with even limited home repair skills can do it in about a day.
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Can an electrician install a garage door opener?
Electricians generally do not install garage door openers. However, electricians can install the nearby ceiling-mounted electrical outlet that powers the garage door opener. Installing the garage door opener is a DIY job or it can be handled by garage door technicians.
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Can I replace a garage door opener unit without changing the rails?
It’s best to install a new rail (or, carriage system) when replacing a garage door opener. Using the old rail can cause issues since the new garage door opener may not be compatible with it. In addition, the old rail may have worn over time and likely need to be updated. A rail is included with most garage door opener kits. The double tracks on which the garage door rides can remain in place.
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