How to replace a chain-drive garage door opener motor

Use a step ladder to access the garage door opener’s power cord and motor unit.

Unplug the garage door opener.

Position a work table near the area under your motor unit to hold the garage door opener during the repair.

Pull the emergency release rope to release the trolley from the garage door.

Shut the garage door if it's not already closed.

Remove the fastener ring from the straight door arm connected to the outer trolley.

Pull out the clevis pin while supporting the straight arm to disconnect the garage door from the outer trolley.

Lower the straight and curved arms down and rest them against the garage door.

Open the light cover to access the wall control and safety sensor wires connected to the motor unit.

Take a digital photo of the wall control and safety sensor wires connected to the motor unit. You'll refer to the photo later when reconnecting the wires.

Disconnect the wall control and safety sensor wires from the motor unit.

Close the light cover.

Remove the nuts, bolts, and lock washers that secure the motor unit to the ceiling bracket. Support the motor unit with one hand as you remove the last bolt from the ceiling bracket. Use a helper if necessary.

Carefully lower the motor unit down and rest it securely on top of the step ladder.

Climb down the step ladder, lower the motor unit down and rest it on your worktable.

Move your step ladder by the garage door so you can remove the rail from the header bracket.

Remove the fastener ring from the header bracket clevis pin.

Pull the clevis pin out of the rail and header bracket while supporting the rail with one hand.

Lower the rail and rest it on a rung of the step ladder so the rail is level with the motor unit on your work table.

Remove the light covers and light bulbs from the motor unit.

Flip the motor unit over, remove the screws from the motor unit cover and pull the cover off.

Remove the plastic helical gear retainer and pull the helical gear off.

Unplug the RPM sensor wire harness.

Release the limit switch locking tabs by squeezing the sides just below the motor bracket near the helical gear.

Move the limit switch aside and let it hang by its wires.

Note the location of motor wire connections so you can connect the new motor wires.

Unplug the motor wires from the capacitor and terminal block.

Remove the bottom screws from the motor plate and pull the motor and motor plate out.

Position the new motor and motor plate over the motor unit and line up the gear and sprocket shaft with the main bearing on the motor plate.

Lower the motor and motor plate down, threading the gear and sprocket shaft through the main bearing.

Fasten the new motor plate and motor to the motor unit using the bottom mounting plate screws.

Connect the new motor wires to the capacitor and terminal block.

Reinstall the helical gear on the gear and sprocket shaft and secure it with the retaining clip.

Lubricate the helical gear with general purpose grease if it's dry.

Position the limit switch on the motor bracket and snap the limit switch into place, engaging the limit switch drive gear with the helical gear.

Install the RPM sensor on the motor plate by snapping the RPM sensor mounting posts into the motor plate holes.

Plug in the RPM sensor wire harness. Reinstall the motor unit cover and secure it with the mounting screws.

Flip the motor unit upright and reinstall the light bulbs and light bulb covers.

Reconnect the rail end to the header bracket using the clevis pin and fastener ring.

Position your step ladder under the motor unit ceiling bracket and carefully set the motor unit on top of the step ladder.

Climb the step ladder and reinstall the motor unit to the ceiling bracket using the nuts, bolts and lock washers.

Open the light cover to access the wall control and safety sensor terminals on the motor unit.

Using your digital photo for reference, reconnect the wall control and safety sensor wires to the motor unit.

Close the light cover.

Reconnect the straight door arm to the outer trolley using the clevis pin and fastener ring.

Re-engage the trolley.

Plug in the garage door opener.

Run the garage door opener through a complete travel cycle to check upper and lower travel limits.

If the garage door doesn't close completely, adjust the down travel and cycle the door open and closed to test the adjustment. Continue to adjust the down travel until the door closes completely.

If the door doesn't open completely, adjust the up travel in the same manner.