Had an interesting situation tonight where my j-arm ripped out of my insulated overhead panel door. Given that, I have a few options to consider based on how jacked up things are:
- Add reenforcement/strut and reconnect existing mechanism
- Replace the overhead mechanism with a jackdrive motor
- Replace the door


A few questions for the brain trust here:
- Jackdrive motors: Who has them and do you like them better than a traditional overhead? Any specific brand and model that live/die by?
- Doors: I require a well insulated door. Has anyone found an overhead rollup door that works better than an insulated overhead panel door?

Pictures are worth lots of words.

Backing plate on each side of the door. Four stainless steel carriage bolts, with washers and nylock nuts. Hook up the J-arm again. Dab of touch up paint on each head, and forget about it for life!!

I had one do that. I had to take the door apart to remove the one panel so I could straighten it. I then put it back with a 2X4 about 18" long on the inside of the door bolted through from the outside then lag screwed the arm onto the board.

If your calling the "Jack drive" opener the side mounts they are very nice and quite. I had 2 of them at the old place. What your describing is just reinforce the top of the door and you'll be back in business.
This is a good time to service and lube all connecting/hinge points.

Thanks John. Yes, the Jack drive or the Jack shaft drive is the one on the side. Thanks for the feedback on it.

Raise the door by hand and see how well the door works. Door openers are designed to open properly working doors.
When you get the door working like it should you can purchase an ORB (opener reinforcing bracket) that will strengthen the door
where the motor lifts.
I wouldn't put a jackstaft motor on a door that has a good drawbar opener.
Lubricate the door with light weight oil.
The first thing you need to check is if you have a broke spring, this is what usually causes this to happen.

I had nothing but problems out of my garage door/opener set-up at my last house. They were heavy, wood veneered insulated doors. We went through a couple of openers, springs, and had issues with the bracket ripping out of the door because of how heavy they were. In my garage at my current house, I went with the jackdrive wall mount motors and did not use heavy doors. I have not noticed it to be any hotter or colder without insulated doors. It's much, much quieter, smoother opening, and no issues at all so far, plus a much cleaner look. I would definitely recommend that route. Plus, no overhead bracket, chain, or motor assembly to worry about or mess with. Another cool feature is I can open and close my garage doors from an App on my phone and it sends alerts when I leave the house and forget to close it. My wife's garage has the traditional overhead opener and with the lighter weight doors have been ok.

Pics:

Yeah, I love how high up your got your rails. I have a taller door so less of a header wall right there, but that looks clean. That a python green AMG GT?

That's a benefit of the wall-mount, you can run the rails up almost flush with the ceiling, the doors are 8' and the ceiling height is 12'....hopefully one day will put a in a lift.

Good eye, haha, yes it's an AMG GT-R.

Coupe or roadster?