Fit a self-closing gate spring

Fit a self-closing spring so your gate shuts itself, matched to your gate's weight and post material.

AB-01Check the gate swings freely firstOpen and close the gate by hand. It should swing smoothly with no binding on the ground or the post. Tighten any loose hinge screws now, because a spring will not fix a gate that already drags or sticks. Oil squeaky hinges with a general-purpose spray.

1 can · General-purpose lubricant spray

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AB-02Pick the right spring for your gateLight and medium gates, up to about 1.2m wide and timber or lightweight metal, suit a standard coil-tension gate spring. Heavier gates, wide gates, or gates on a slope need a hydraulic gate closer instead, which controls the closing speed rather than just pulling it shut. Buy a kit rated for your gate's width and weight - this is stated on the packaging.

1 kit · Self-closing gate spring kit

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1 kit · Hydraulic gate closer (heavy gates)

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AB-03Mark the bracket positionsMost springs fit diagonally, with one bracket low on the gate and one bracket high on the post, so the spring stretches as the gate opens. Hold the spring against the closed gate to check the reach, then mark both bracket positions in pencil. Use a spirit level to keep the marks square, or the spring will pull unevenly and wear out fast.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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AB-04Work out what you're drilling into, and check for hazardsGate posts and gates are usually timber, metal box-section, or a brick or block pillar. Tap the surface and look at the material: timber sounds dull and takes a screw directly, metal is hard and rings slightly, brick or block feels solid and gritty when you drill a test hole. If the pillar is near the house or has outdoor lighting or gate automation wired to it, there could be a buried cable nearby - drill slowly, stop if the feel changes, and check the drill bit for wire rather than dust.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector (masonry pillars near wiring only)

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AB-05Fit the post bracketFor a timber post, drill a 2-3mm pilot hole and drive the supplied wood screws into solid timber, avoiding splits or knots. For a metal post, drill a 3.5-4mm hole and use self-tapping screws, or through-bolt with a 6mm nut and bolt - never use a wood screw on metal, it will not bite. For a brick or block pillar, drill an 8mm hole about 40mm deep, fit a wall plug, then drive in a 5mm screw.

4 each · Wood screws 40mm

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4 each · Self-tapping screws 25mm

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4 each · Wall plugs 8mm (Rawlplug)

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1 each · Masonry drill bit 8mm

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AB-06Fit the gate bracketRepeat the same fixing method on the gate itself, matching whichever material it is made from - timber, metal, or occasionally masonry. Keep the bracket square to your pencil mark so the spring pulls in a straight line. Check both brackets are tight before you fit the spring.

AB-07Attach the springClip or bolt the spring body between the two brackets, following the kit's own fitting instructions - most use a simple pin or clevis pin. Make sure the spring can move freely through its full range as the gate opens, without catching on the post or the gate frame.

AB-08Set the closing tensionMost springs have an adjustable collar or a choice of mounting holes to vary the tension. Start on the lowest setting, open the gate fully, and let it close on its own. Increase the tension gradually until the gate closes fully and the latch catches every time, without slamming.

AB-09Test, adjust, and tidy upOpen and close the gate about ten times to bed the spring in, checking the latch catches every time. Tighten any fixing that has worked loose. Wipe drilling dust off the post and gate, and dispose of any packaging responsibly.

1 each · Cloth or rag

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