Determine the header bracket location, Installation step 1 – Chamberlain 3130M 1/3 HP User Manual
Page 8

8
INSTALLATION STEP 1
Determine the Header Bracket Location
Installation procedures vary according to garage door 
types. Follow the instructions which apply to your door.
1. Close the door and mark the inside vertical centerline
of the garage door.
2. Extend the line onto the header wall above the door.
 You can fasten the header bracket within 4 feet
(1.22 m) of the left or right of the door center only if 
a torsion spring or center bearing plate is in the way; 
or you can attach it to the ceiling (see page 9) when 
clearance is minimal. (It may be mounted on the 
wall upside down if necessary, to gain approximately 
1/2" (1 cm).
 If you need to install the header bracket on a 2x4 
(on wall or ceiling), use lag screws (not provided) 
to securely fasten the 2x4 to structural supports as 
shown here and on page 9.
3. Open your door to the highest point of travel as shown.
Draw an inter secting horizontal line on the header wall 
above the high point:
• 3" (7.5 cm) above the high point for sectional door
and one-piece door with track.
• 8" (20 cm) above the high point for one-piece door
without track.
 This height will provide travel clearance for the top 
edge of the door.
NOTE:
If the total number of inches exceeds the height
available in your garage, use the maximum height 
possible, or refer to page 9 for ceiling installation.
To prevent possible SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
• Header bracket MUST be RIGIDLY fastened to 
structural support on header wall or ceiling, 
otherwise garage door might NOT reverse when 
required. DO NOT install header bracket over 
drywall.
• Concrete anchors MUST be used if mounting
header bracket or 2x4 into masonry.
• NEVER try to loosen, move or adjust garage
door, springs, cables, pulleys, brackets, or their 
hardware, ALL of which are under EXTREME 
tension. 
• ALWAYS call a trained door systems technician if
garage door binds, sticks, or is out of balance. An 
unbalanced garage door might NOT reverse when 
required.
Sectional door with 
 curved track
One-piece door with 
horizontal track
Highest 
Point of 
Travel
Highest 
Point of 
Travel
Door
Door
Track
Track
Header Wall
Header Wall
3" (7.5 cm)
Header Wall
Header Wall
Highest
Point
of Travel
Jamb
Hardware
Highest
Point
of Travel
One-piece door without track: 
jamb hardware
One-piece door without track: 
pivot hardware
8" (20 cm)
8" (20 cm)
Door
Door
Pivot
Header Wall
Level
(optional)
Unfi nished Ceiling
Vertical Centerline
of Garage Door
OPTIONAL
CEILING
MOUNT
FOR
HEADER
BRACKET
Structural
Supports
2x4
2x4
3" (7.5 cm)
