noisy garage door opener

[aostling]

My garage door opener, a chain-driven Genie Pro Max, makes a horrendous racket. I got out the can of WD-40, but soon realized I had no idea where to squirt. Where is the noise coming from -- the track? The reverberating ceiling drywall?

The door consists of five horizontal metal panels, joined by hinges.

Does anybody have a reasonably-silent automatic garage door opener?

[Hal]

No it doesn't which kid I tell to open the garage door, they both moan and groan.


Hal

[laddy]

Hey,
I have an "over head door opener" The Phantom. It is quiet!!!! When I bought my house 34 years ago it had one in it which died after 25 years of service. I replaced it with the same brand and it is even quieter. The company has been in service since 1921. It is amazing when compared to other brands. Quite a few of my friends have replaced their garage units with one after "not" hearing mine. Not cheap but not out of line and worth every cent. Fred

[kevindsingleton]

There are belt drive openers from Chamberlain (same company who makes openers for Sears). They are very quiet, relatively speaking. Most of the noise pobably comes from the door, but the metal cabinet of the opener is probably creating some noise of its own, and the chain drive system isn't silent. Put away the WD40, though. It's worthless for this job. You need a lubricant, not a solvent or water displacer. Light grease or motor oil would be better than WD. Check the door rollers. If they're not plastic, then they need lubrication. Also, depending on the counterbalance system (extension or torsion springs), there are are lubrication points, there, as well. Make sure the door is operating smoothly, without the opener, and resolve any problems like misaligned cables, loose hardware, or worn rollers. You should be able to raise the door (disconnected from the opener) to any point in its travel, release it, and have it stay pretty much where you let it go. Be careful with the springs and cables. If you're not sure, hire a professional. He'll have insurance.

[Lynn Standish]

Why not just use chain lube from the motorcycle shop?

[aostling]

Why not just use chain lube from the motorcycle shop?

I used to boil my motorcycle chain in Duckham's. I'm not that desperate now.

I will try Kevin's suggestions.

[wmgeorge]

How old is it? Mine was perhaps 8 years old, noisy chain drive... I'd get up every so often and tighten that adjustment, like a threaded rod attached to the stationary end. I'm thinking hmm, must be like a motorcycle chain and its wearing out. One day it made a heck of a noise, the chain drive sprocket was laying on the floor. The bearing had gone bad, worn through and then proceeded to cut that 1/2 inch shaft in two. Thunk, shaft and sprocket hitting the garage floor!!!

My garage door opener, a chain-driven Genie Pro Max, makes a horrendous racket. I got out the can of WD-40, but soon realized I had no idea where to squirt. Where is the noise coming from -- the track? The reverberating ceiling drywall?

The door consists of five horizontal metal panels, joined by hinges.

Does anybody have a reasonably-silent automatic garage door opener?

[aostling]

How old is it?

Not more than three years old. It's noise is no worse than any of the others in this condo complex. There are no rooms above the garage, so nobody is really disturbed. But it makes me feel like a bad neighbor, every time I use it.

[kennyd4110]

For the quietest GDO you'll ever find, check this out:
http://www.marantecamerica.com/

I put one in my house last year, it is unbelievable!

[aostling]

For the quietest GDO you'll ever find, check this out:
http://www.marantecamerica.com/

I put one in my house last year, it is unbelievable!

The online acoustic comparison is quite convincing.