I weighed my door then bought a second hand spring for a 7 x 9 door. I was told turn it approx. 8 rotations. I know to be careful , use visegrips as a backup and keep my face away. The question is do I expand or compress the spring? Thanks!

I have no idea! :D

But have you put the door in place yet? You may not be able to manipulate the springs correctly until the frame is in a vertical position. Take a look on the back of the door for the make&model - the manufacturer will probably have an instruction manual on their website.

I wouldn't count on more from the manufacturer than a list of recommended professionals. I hadn't thought of it that way, but my garage door spring looks like it is compressed in the down, tightened, position. The springs come in left and right hand. My 16' door has one of each. Did you get a threaded end for the spring? Instal the spring so the threaded end tightens into the spring as the door goes down and tightens the spring. Then give it the 8 rotations and check it. It should balance about 3/4 of the way up.

People do get hurt working on the springs. Take you time, and use your head. If the end of the spring has the 4 holes around the end, find something that is a good fit in them. Go to the hardware and buy a 36'' length of steel rod if you need to. You can then use them alternatively giving the spring a quarter turn each time.

My house was 7 years old when I bought it. I seemed to have a lot of trouble with the door at first, but not the last 15 years.