Why the Garage Door Bottom Bracket Is Dangerous to Touch

Look at the bottom corner of a garage door. A metal bracket sits there with a cable attached. It looks like a simple bolt on part. It is not.

What the bottom bracket does

The bracket anchors the lift cable to the door. The cable runs up to the drum or pulley. Together with the springs they hold up the weight of the door.

Why it is dangerous

When the door is closed the springs pull on the cables. The cables pull on the brackets. That load stays on the bracket all the time. If someone loosens the bolt the cable can release suddenly. The bracket or the cable can then strike a hand or face. The door can also move without warning.

Common mistakes

• Unbolting a bracket to move a door or take off a panel.
• Trying to free a stuck cable by working on the bracket.
• Pulling on a cable to see how tight it is.

What you can do safely

• Look at the bracket from a distance for rust or bending.
• Note a cable that has slipped or frayed.
• Photograph what you see.

When to call for help

Call if the bracket looks bent or the bolts look loose. Call if a cable is frayed or off its drum. Read how to tell if a garage door cable is frayed. See why cables come off the drum.

Our page on garage door spring repair explains how a technician works safely around springs and cables.