At Emil Garage Doors, replacing a pair of lift cables is typically $175 to $350, and cables with new drums are $250 to $450. Both cables are done together because they carry the same load for the same time. The final price depends on the door's weight and the cable length, and we confirm it after we see the door.
What cable replacement costs
Here are our typical prices. The price is a range because the cable is matched to the door's weight and length, and it is confirmed after we see the door and before we start.
| Service | Typical price | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Lift cable replacement, pair | $175 to $350 | Door weight and cable length |
| Cables with new drums | $250 to $450 | Damaged drums or brackets |
| Off-track door repair | $175 to $450 | Bent tracks, damaged panels or rollers |
Prices reviewed November 2026. Final price is confirmed after we see the problem.
Why both cables are replaced together
A door has one lift cable on each side. They carry the same load, run the same number of cycles and hang in the same air, so the one that has not broken is as worn as the one that has. Replacing only one buys a short break before the second visit.
There is a balance reason too. A cable is cut to suit the door, and a new cable beside an old one can leave the door hanging unevenly. A technician sets both sides so the door sits level. We tell you when a single cable is enough, which is rare.
What a snapped cable or a loud snap means
A loud snap when the door moves is most often a lift cable or a spring letting go. Garaga lists a thud when the door opens or closes as a sign of a broken spring or a broken lifting cable, and says to stop using the door when a spring is broken.
Amarr says not to operate a door where the cable has jumped off the drum, and Hormann says a loose or frayed lift cable calls for stopping use and professional service. Leave cables, drums and springs alone; they are under high tension.
See what happens when a cable snaps or comes off the drum.
Why a cable comes off the drum
The cable winds around a drum at each end of the spring shaft. It leaves the drum when the door jumps out of balance or the cable goes slack. Common causes:
- A broken spring, which shifts the load suddenly
- A door that was hit by a vehicle or forced past an obstruction
- Rollers or tracks that are worn or out of line
- A cable or drum that is the wrong size for the door
That is why the technician checks the springs, drums, tracks and rollers, not only the cable. Read the spring replacement cost if a spring is also involved.
What changes the price
- Door weight and size: heavier doors need a stronger cable cut to length.
- Drums and brackets: a damaged drum or bottom bracket adds to the job, which is the gap between the two prices above.
- Springs: a cable that failed because of a broken spring means the spring needs replacing too.
- Track and rollers: if the door came off its track, the off-track range may apply.
What a quote should list
- That both cables are included
- Whether drums, bottom brackets and rollers are included or extra
- Whether the springs and tracks were checked
- Balancing the door and testing the safety reverse before the technician leaves
- The total price before any work starts
Cable work is not a do-it-yourself job. DASMA says frayed or worn cables should be replaced only by a trained technician because of the spring tension.
Get a price for your door
Emil Garage Doors repairs cables and springs in Southern California, and our city pages include National City, Dixon and Salinas. Call (213) 340-4232 and tell us what happened, or send the estimate form. See garage door cable repair.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to replace garage door cables?
A pair of lift cables is typically $175 to $350 with us, and cables with new drums are $250 to $450. The final price is confirmed after we see the door.
Should both garage door cables be replaced at the same time?
Yes, in nearly all cases. Both cables carry the same load for the same time, and a new cable beside an old one can leave the door uneven.
What does a loud snap when the garage door moves mean?
It is often a spring or a lift cable breaking. Stop using the door and call a technician. Do not touch the springs or cables.
Why did the cable come off my garage door drum?
A broken spring, a vehicle bump, worn rollers or tracks, or the wrong cable size can all let it slip off. Do not run the door until a technician checks it.
Related services
Need help near you?
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.