Should I grease the inside of my garage door tracks?

Noise & Maintenance4 min read

Why Is My Garage Door Making a Grinding Noise?

Quick Answer Summary

A grinding noise usually stems from either worn steel rollers with seized bearings sliding along the track, stripped nylon drive gears inside the electric opener motor head, or metal-on-metal friction between door panel hinges lacking proper lubrication.

Safe Homeowner Checks

•Listen closely to locate the sound: is it coming from the overhead opener motor box or from the wheels running along the tracks?
•Inspect rollers to see if the wheels are spinning freely or dragging flat against the metal channels.
•Apply non-silicone garage door lubricant to hinge pivot pins and roller bearings (do NOT lubricate track interiors).

When Professional Help Is Required

•Grinding comes from inside the opener motor and plastic shavings (white dust) are visible below the unit.
•Rollers have cracked stems or have popped out of the track curve.
•Tracks are dented or out of plumb, causing panels to rub against the wooden door jamb.

Upgrading To Sealed-Bearing Nylon Rollers

Standard builder-grade metal rollers have unsealed bearings that easily accumulate grit and rust. Upgrading to 13-ball sealed-bearing nylon rollers reduces operational door rumble and squeal by up to 75%.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Never put grease or oil inside the vertical tracks. Grease attracts dirt, leaves, and pet hair, forming a thick paste that gums up rollers and causes them to slide rather than roll.

Relevant Texas Repair Services:

Garage Door Track Repair & Realignment Garage Door Roller, Hinge & Hardware Repair Garage Door Maintenance & Safety Tune-Up

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Need Immediate Garage Door Repair in Texas?

If safe homeowner checks indicate broken springs, stripped gears, or off-track door panels, call our Texas dispatch line at (800) 240-4326 for same-day technician matching.

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