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If your garage door screeches, bangs, or makes grinding noises every time it opens or closes, it’s probably overdue for some simple upkeep. Luckily, reducing unwanted noise doesn’t take much. You’ll need a socket wrench, garage door lubricant (look for white lithium grease or silicone-based sprays), a ladder, and a little time. Whether the source of noise is loose hardware or dried-out rollers, here’s how to deal with noise issues without calling in a professional assistance.
1. Tighten all the hardware
Over time, your garage door moves a lot. That movement can slowly make hardware loosen.
Use a socket wrench to go over all the nuts and bolts on the door, hinges, and track. Be careful not to overtighten—just snug them up. Loose fasteners can rattle, grind, or squeak.
2. Lubricate moving parts
Lack of lubrication and dry metal-on-metal contact is one of the top reasons for persistent noise issues.
Use a lubricant made for garages. I use either a WD-40 lubricant called WD-40 Specialist® Gel Lube or WD-40 Specialist® White Lithium Grease—just be sure to grab one of those, not the standard WD-40 spray.
Spray a coat of lubricant on the hinges, rollers, any exposed bearings (spraying sealed bearings won't do much), tracks, springs, and the opener’s chain or screw.
A few tips:
- Don’t overdo it—just a quick burst of lubricant will be enough
- Wipe away excess lubricant with a clean cloth
- Spray with the door closed for easier access
- Keep up with regular lubrication
True story/tip: Our barn has a manual door that took a lot of force to open, it also squealed like chalkboard noise when opening or closing. I hit all the rollers and hinges but the what made the biggest impact was dousing the torsion spring with lube. It was a bit rusty and was very "grindy". Once it was sprayed and opened/closed a few times it was like night and day. It flys open and closed now.
3. Check and replace rollers if needed
Worn rollers can get loud and shaky.
Look at the rollers and roller brackets on the side of the door. Misaligned tracks can cause rollers to rub on the track walls and wear prematurely. If you have chipped, cracked, wobbly, or broken rollers, it’s time to replace them. Nylon rollers are quieter than metal ones and don’t need as much upkeep. You can swap them out yourself, but be careful—if your garage door has torsion springs, leave the work to a service professional for safety.
4. Inspect the hinges
Pay attention to hinges, broken or worn garage door hinges can create clunks and creaks.
If a hinge is loose, tighten the screws. If it looks bent or cracked, replace it. Worn hinges can also cause roller and track alignment issues, making more noise and wearing out parts faster.
5. Add rubber or foam insulation
Sometimes, the noise isn’t just from the moving parts.
If your garage door vibrates loudly or makes a thud when closing, adding extra insulation like rubber or foam strips can help. Look for garage door noise insulation kits online or at hardware stores. Stick the padding where the door hits the frame or other hard surfaces.
6. Upgrade to a quieter opener
If you’ve done all the above and it’s still noisy, the opener might be the issue.
Older chain-drive openers tend to rattle a lot. Belt-drive models are much quieter. They’re smoother, too. It’s a bigger change, but worth considering if noise is a big problem and your opener is old or unreliable.
FAQ
Can I use regular WD-40 on my garage door to stop the noise?
We love the stuff, but it's important to note that the standard product is not a "grease". The brand WD-40 does make WD-40 Specialist® Gel Lube or WD-40 Specialist® White Lithium Grease. Those work well for this job. That’s the one you should buy and use for garage door parts.
Are nylon garage door rollers better than metal ones?
Yes, if noise is your concern. Nylon rollers are much quieter and don’t need oiling like metal rollers. They cost a bit more but tend to last and sound better.
Why does my garage door make a loud bang when it closes?
It could be slamming too hard against the ground or frame. That might mean the door is unbalanced, the springs are worn, or it just needs some soft padding. Rubber bumpers or foam strips can help soften the impact and act as noise insulators, but don't ignore maintenance if you suspect that the springs are old or the door itself needs proper lubrication or a little tune-up. If it sounds very out of the ordinary consult and professional garage company.
Would a broken spring make clunking noises?
Actually a broken torsion or extension spring would make your door very difficult to open, which might be noisy, but that would be a completely different issue. Doors with torsion springs that need to be replaced or a garage door spring adjustment should only be done by experienced professionals.
