Motorlift Stripped Drive Gear or Disconnected Trolley

Garage door opener hums but door does not move; chain or belt does not travel.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Worn nylon drive gear inside opener, Trolley disengaged from chain/belt, Broken sprocket shaft, Over-tightened or slack chain

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the opener. Do not stand under the door while testing.

Steps to repair:

  • Check trolley engagement: Ensure the emergency release lever is in the engaged position so the trolley connects to the chain/belt.
  • Inspect chain/belt movement: Activate the opener briefly (with door disconnected). If the motor runs but the chain/belt does not move, the internal gear or sprocket is likely stripped.
  • Open housing and inspect gear: Remove the Motorlift cover and look at the main drive gear. If plastic shavings are present or teeth are missing, replace the gear and sprocket assembly.
  • Reassemble and tension: Install the new gear kit, apply supplied grease, reassemble the housing, and adjust chain/belt tension to manufacturer specs.
  • Test with door reconnected: Re-engage the trolley and run a full open/close cycle.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Motorlift Gear and Sprocket Assembly
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