[gdoorpro]

It is a very common problem with chamberlain operators for the drive sprocket to wear out, it sounds like your operator was installed prior to 1995 so it is an old unit. Many people have had to replace their gears a couple times in that period. It is however avoidable.

My company sells belt drive operators made by Chamberlain, which are the same as sears operators. The reason we don't like the chain drive, which from over ten years in the industry I can deduct that you have, is that their are many things that can go wrong, especially with a homeowner installation.

Proper chain tension will enhance the lifespan of your internal gears. The problem is homeowners falsely believe that the chain should not sag at all and overtighten the chain causing the sprocket collar to wear out and sometimes causing the chain to actually jump the sprocket.

A floor that is unlevel and requires a higher force setting to seal the floor will shorten the life span of the drive gear and worm gear. If you were to lubricate these gears every six months or so they will last longer. Some of the newer models have enclosed gear drives to keep the lubrication in the gear box, instead of out in the open where it can dry up and flake off of the gears.

Some garage door manufacturers use a stiffer more rigid bottom seal that requires more force to seal the floor, this also wears out operator gears faster.

Force settings should always be set to a minimum, this requires monthly maintenace, and the homeowners I have dealt with rarely do this, even though all garage door operator manufacturers instruct homeowners to do so.

So the answer to your question is yes, if you have misaligned track that causes the door to not operate smoothly in manual operation this can shorten life span of your gears. Higher force settings also shortens life span of gears.

However, given the age of the unit, even though you may have had a somewhat unexperienced installer, your gears were probably shot before he arrived. Unless they were inspected prior to the work being done, proving otherwise.

Experienced installers and service proffessionals look for this kind of thing and are not likely to waste 30 minutes on operator settings.

To anyone thinking about replacing a door but not an operator, especially one over 10 years old, have the company to an internal visual inspection of the garage door opener. If you are buying a good quality door it may weigh more than your old door and take more force, but if it is sprung properly (balanced) it should run smoothly. And since your operator merely guides the door, it does not really lift the door (the springs should do this), Your door operation is the most important factor in operator life span.

Sears operators are mostly homeowner installed, and even when installed professionally, not always done so by people in the garage door business, who know how to adjust and service garage doors. So if you are going to use any big box store to install your operator, we suggest you make sure they know garage door service as well as how to install the opener.

Ryan