Had to replace the return springs on my garage door today. It's an older style cantilever kind of door. Nobody on my end of town had the springs - but the old cranky store on the far side had 'em! (They have alot of older inventory).
The Mrs and I heard a boom last night right after going to bed. Sounded like someone was kicking in a door. Turned on the floods, walked around, didn't see or hear anything. The neighbors are away and I'm keeping an eye on their place, so, got dressed and walked over there to make sure nobody was robbing them. Then this morning going to open the garage door so the wife can leave for work and it's all messed up. The one spring had shattered. Lucky it has the center rods that keep the spring from exploding all over and taking out a headlight or worse a radiator.
The new springs aren't as stretched out as the 49 year old originals, so had to Macgyver something to extend them while I slip the retaining chain over the S-hooks. Took 3 hours! Man, I ain't as good as I used to be. But got the job done before the monsoon storms picked up. Didn't really want to leave the vehicles in the driveway all night either.