Uneven cable winding on a garage door drum causes more than just noise. Over time, it creates tension imbalances that make the door tilt or jam. We often see this issue lead to cables slipping or even jumping off entirely. If the cables don’t wind up flat and tight across the drum, they pile up, causing strain on one side. That forces the door to move crooked and stresses other parts like the track, spring, or opener. Spotting the early signs can prevent serious breakdowns. Let’s walk through the most common reasons this happens and what can be done to prevent future issues.

Misaligned Cable Drums

Alignment issues in the drum itself are a key cause of winding problems. When a drum sits slightly off-centre or shifts out of place, it stops pulling the cable evenly. This misalignment may develop over time or come from an improper installation. During operation, one side of the cable wraps tighter while the other drifts, creating a sloped pile that eventually leads to snags.

Improper anchoring of the shaft or brackets can let the drum shift during movement. This subtle play may not show up until tension builds. In some cases, a technician must remove the drum and reinstall it while the spring is fully relaxed. That ensures everything lines up flush. If you need help inspecting a door that’s leaning or dragging, our team offers complete garage door service in Ottawa that includes drum realignment and secure fitting.

Frayed or Stretched Cables

Damage in the cable material itself often causes uneven winding. Even a slight stretch on one side changes how the cable wraps around the drum. When one cable grows looser than the other, it takes longer to pull tight, leading to a messy buildup during lifting. Likewise, frayed cable strands can catch on the drum or each other, making the layers tangle.

We often notice small signs like a cable not sitting flat or developing kinks. These signal deeper wear that throws off drum balance. Once that happens, the cables may double-wrap, overlap, or form gaps between turns. Each adds more slack on the next pass. To avoid that, we check both sides for equal length and signs of fray during regular servicing.

If this issue has already affected your door performance, it may be time to schedule a professional cable inspection with our team. Catching wear before the cable fails completely keeps repairs quick and affordable.

Torsion Spring Imbalance

Spring tension directly affects how smoothly cables pull around the drum. When one spring arm becomes weaker than the other, or if the shaft twists unevenly, cables start winding at different rates. This imbalance builds up with each open and close cycle, leaving more slack on one side and tighter turns on the other.

Often, one clue is that the door doesn’t stay open evenly or pulls sideways when lifted. A garage door should lift with equal tension on both cables, supported by a properly calibrated spring. If not, the drum’s shape exaggerates any uneven pull. We’ve seen cases where this starts small and gradually leads to cables completely binding.

To correct it, the spring must be adjusted with the right torque and matched exactly on both sides. For safety, this job requires experienced handling, especially with tensioned parts. When your door feels unsteady or shifts to one side, it’s a sign the spring load may need a full garage door spring adjustment.

Dirty or Damaged Drums

Cable drums need a smooth, clean surface to work properly. Over time, dust, rust, or worn grooves cause the cable to ride unevenly across the drum. If the surface gets rough, it creates resistance in one section, leading to jerky or offset winding. Eventually, cables climb over high spots and sink into worn areas, forming spirals that tangle.

Damage usually comes from long-term friction or poor lubrication. Metal dust buildup and corrosion from damp conditions are common in older garages. If the cable starts jumping on the drum or you notice grinding sounds, it’s often related to surface damage. Cleaning and polishing the drum can fix it early. In advanced cases, the drum may need replacement.

We recommend checking for surface wear during seasonal maintenance. With Ottawa’s winters, that rust risk increases. If you notice early signs like a clicking noise or slow lift, call for garage door cable and drum repair services before the damage spreads.

Improper Cable Routing

Cable routing needs to follow a specific path with no twists or offset entry. If the cable enters the drum at a slight angle or crosses another line, it creates slack on one side. That leads to uneven buildup and tension loss during operation. We often see this when cables are reinstalled quickly or when pulleys shift during impact.

Sometimes, the issue starts at the bottom bracket or pulley. A bent bracket or offset pulley position changes the entry angle. The drum then pulls the cable unevenly, winding tight on one side and loose on the other. This often causes the cable to jump grooves or snag during closing.

To avoid this, routing must be verified during installation. We keep an eye out for twists or offsets that affect entry position. If your door shows signs of imbalance or cable jumps, a technician can realign the path and check pulley angle during service.

Tension Lost from Loose Set Screws

Set screws hold the cable drum in place on the torsion shaft. When they loosen over time, the drum can shift minutely with each cycle. That small movement causes uneven cable wrap without showing visible signs at first. We often find this issue after extended use or heavy door operation.

Loose set screws let the drum rock slightly on the shaft. That means the left and right drums may no longer move as one, throwing off cable symmetry. If your door creaks, tilts, or needs manual help to move fully, this may be the cause.

We recommend checking these fasteners at every service visit. Tightening them with the correct torque keeps everything in sync and avoids the need for bigger adjustments later. If your system feels unstable or makes sudden jerks, ask for a check on the set screw fittings.

Cable Layering and Backlash

When the cable wraps too quickly or piles on unevenly, it creates a layering problem. Instead of stacking flat, the new turns push previous ones out of place. Over time, the buildup gets worse, causing jumps or tangled layers. Backlash also plays a part here. If the drum spins slightly in reverse after stopping, the slack cable forms loops that get trapped under the next turn.

Doors that reverse mid-cycle or drop quickly often show these signs. That’s usually related to poor cable tension and a loose fit around the drum. The solution is to fully unwind and re-spool the cable under equal tension and guidance. This keeps each layer tight and in line with the previous one.

We’ve seen backlash problems develop after sudden impacts or power outages. If your door wobbles when closing or shows lopsided movement, layering issues could be forming. Timely service prevents the cable from jumping off the drum and damaging other components.

FAQ

Why is my garage door cable winding unevenly on one side?
Uneven winding usually happens when the drum is misaligned or the cable is stretched. It may also point to spring imbalance or incorrect entry angle.

Can I fix cable winding problems myself?
We don’t recommend it. Garage door cables and springs are under tension. A wrong move can cause injury or further damage.

What are signs of winding issues before the cable jumps off?
Watch for uneven door movement, noise during lifting, or cables looking loose or kinked. These are early indicators.

How often should garage cables be checked for tension?
It depends on use, but an annual inspection is a good rule. High-use doors may need more frequent checks.

What happens if I ignore uneven cable winding?
It can lead to snapped cables, tilted doors, or full system failure. Early repairs save money and prevent danger.