Nylon rollers are quieter and need less maintenance. Steel rollers are more durable but louder. For a squeaky door, replacing worn metal rollers with quality nylon rollers is the usual fix, according to Clopay. Replace any roller that is cracked, wobbly or rough, and have a technician do the bottom rollers.
1The short answer
Rollers ride in the tracks on both sides of the door. They are often the first parts to wear out, and a worn set shows up as noise, shaking or a door that feels rough. Clopay notes that steel rollers are more durable but tend to be noisier, while nylon rollers are quieter and need less maintenance. Clopay recommends high-quality nylon rollers for the smoothest, quietest operation.
2Nylon or steel side by side
Nylon rollers
- Quieter in the track
- Need less maintenance
- Do not need lubricant, and Clopay says not to add it
- Replace one if the wheel cracks or chips
Steel rollers
- More durable
- Louder, especially as they wear
- Bearings need a silicone-based lubricant
- Rollers with exposed bearings need lubricant
3Signs the rollers are worn
- Squeaking or grinding as the door moves, especially from metal rollers
- A rough, shaking or jerky ride, see why a door shakes or jerks
- A roller that wobbles on its stem, will not spin, or has flat spots
- Cracks or chips in a nylon wheel
- A roller that has slipped out of the track, see off-track doors
Clopay says rollers should move smoothly and quietly. If they do not, they may need lubrication or replacement. Lubricate first if the rollers are metal and dry. If the noise stays, replace them.
4How to decide
- Door beside a bedroom or living space: nylon, for the quieter ride.
- Door used many times a day: choose a quality roller either way and check it more often.
- Squeak is the only complaint and the rollers are metal: try a silicone-based lubricant on the bearings first.
- Cracked, chipped, wobbly or flat-spotted rollers: replace them, whatever the material.
Sources and sellers disagree about exactly how many years each type lasts, so judge by wear and not by a calendar. Ask for the roller type and bearing style to be listed on your quote.
5Lubricating the right way
Clopay says silicone-based lubricant is the better choice for hinges and non-nylon rollers, and that WD-40 and oil-based products attract dirt and dust and lead to faster wear. Do not lubricate nylon rollers and do not lubricate the tracks. Wipe the tracks with a damp cloth instead. Clopay suggests every 3 to 6 months, or every 3 months on a door with heavy daily use.
6Why bottom rollers are a technician job
The bottom roller sits in a bracket that is connected to the lift cable, and the cable is under the spring's tension. Clopay says bottom brackets must not be removed while the door is under tension and recommends a professional for this work.
Rollers higher up on the door are simpler, but a technician will replace the full set at one visit and check the hinges and tracks at the same time. A roller set, sensors or a tune-up is $150 to $350 with us, confirmed after we see the door. See garage door repair and roller replacement cost.
7Ask us about your door
Emil Garage Doors replaces rollers and checks the tracks and hinges across Southern California, for example in Azusa, Davis and Costa Mesa. Call (213) 340-4232 or send the estimate form, and tell us what you hear and what your rollers look like.
Questions people ask
Are nylon garage door rollers better than steel?
For quiet operation and low upkeep, yes. Clopay says nylon rollers are quieter and need less maintenance, while steel rollers are more durable but noisier.
How often should I replace garage door rollers?
There is no single interval. Replace rollers when they are worn, cracked, wobbly or noisy. Sources and sellers disagree on years, so judge by condition.
Should I lubricate nylon rollers?
No. Clopay says not to apply lubricant to nylon rollers. Do lubricate the hinge pins and the bearings of metal rollers with a silicone-based product.
Can I replace the bottom rollers myself?
We do not recommend it. The bottom brackets are under tension from the cables, and Clopay recommends a professional for that work.
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