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Linear Gate Motor Replacement: The Grand Prairie Owner’s Guide
A Linear gate motor replacement in Grand Prairie typically runs $450 to $1,100 installed, depending on which Linear model you have and whether we’re swapping just the operator head or the full arm-and-motor assembly. We keep common Linear replacement parts on the truck and can usually have your gate running same-day if we’re just replacing the motor unit itself. Most folks discover the motor has failed the hard way: the gate stops mid-swing, makes a grinding noise for a week or two first, or just sits there humming without moving. Sound familiar? You’re in the right place.

We’re Gatewood Fence & Gate, and Hal Gatewood has been fixing gates in Grand Prairie since 2001. We’re an independent shop, not affiliated with Linear, but we’ve installed and repaired their motors on swing gates and slide gates all over Dallas County. When your Linear motor quits, you want someone who knows which models have which weak points and won’t sell you a full operator kit when all you need is a capacitor or a gearbox.
Which Linear Models This Applies To
Linear gate motors show up on a wide range of residential gates in Grand Prairie, especially the LSO series (LSO50, LSO75) and the older ACT and DVS swing gate operators. We also see the SL series on slide gates. The important thing is knowing which generation you have, because Linear changed motor mounting patterns and control board connectors over the years, and a part from the wrong series won’t bolt up or plug in.
Get the model number off the data plate, usually on the side of the motor housing or under the cover. If that plate’s sun-faded to nothing, measure the motor housing and look at the connector style. We match OEM Linear motors when the operator is still current production. When a Linear part is discontinued or backordered for months, we use proven aftermarket equivalents that match the shaft size, RPM, and torque rating. You’ll know exactly which one we’re putting on before we start.
One gotcha specific to Texas: Linear swing gate motors run hot in Grand Prairie summers, and the internal capacitor is usually the first thing to fail. It’s a $35 to $60 part. We’ve had customers ready to pay for a whole new motor when all it needed was a capacitor swap. We’d rather fix the cheap thing and charge you honestly than sell you a motor you didn’t need.
Signs Your Linear Gate Motor Replacement Is Failing
- Gate moves slower than it used to. The motor is working harder than it should, often because the capacitor is weak or the gearbox is dry. In Grand Prairie’s heat, internal grease breaks down faster than Linear’s spec sheet would suggest.
- Humming noise but no movement. Classic capacitor failure. The motor gets voltage, tries to start, and can’t. This is often repairable without a full motor replacement.
- Grinding or clicking during travel. Gears inside the Linear reduction unit have worn or shed teeth. Once you hear metal-on-metal, the motor might still run, but the gearbox is on borrowed time.
- Gate stops randomly mid-cycle. The thermal overload in the motor is tripping because the motor’s overheating. We see this most on west-facing gates in Grand Prairie that bake in the afternoon sun every July and August.
- Operator trips the breaker or GFCI. A shorted motor winding pulls too much current. This one’s dangerous to ignore: complete the repair before the wiring or board gets damaged too.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
Here’s what Linear gate motor replacement pricing looks like in Grand Prairie right now, parts and labor together:
- Capacitor replacement only: $55 to $100
- OEM Linear motor head swap (LSO series): $450 to $700
- Full operator replacement, motor & control board: $750 to $1,100
- Slide gate motor replacement (SL series): $650 to $1,400 depending on horsepower
What drives the range: motor horsepower, whether the model is still in production, and whether your limit switches or wiring need updating at the same time. The price is quoted and agreed before any work starts. If we open the cover and find extra problems, we stop, show you, and get a yes before adding a dollar. No surprises at the end. Every replacement carries the 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing. If it’s not done right, we make it right.

DIY or Call Us?
A Linear gate motor runs on line voltage and moves a gate that can weigh several hundred pounds. That combination can hurt you. Do not open the motor housing or mess with the swivel arms if you aren’t trained for it. What you can safely do: check the breaker, look for obstructed travel or a sagging gate leaf, and listen for the hum versus the grind. That’s useful information when you call.
What we see go wrong with DIY attempts in Grand Prairie is stripped mounting bolts, misaligned arms, and control boards fried from hot-wiring. A motor that’s half-installed leaves your gate stuck open and your driveway exposed. If you even think the motor’s gone, call (903) 829-4499 and Hal or one of his guys will take a look. We’ll tell you straight whether you need a motor or a capacitor. Tell me what it’s doing, and I’ll tell you what it needs. No runaround.
FAQs
Most Linear residential gate motors last 5 to 8 years in Grand Prairie, but Texas heat can shorten that to 4 to 6 on a west-facing unshaded install. The capacitor and gear grease go first. Regular maintenance helps, but no motor lasts forever in 100-degree summer heat. If yours is in year seven, a proactive replacement beats a stranded gate at 7 a.m.
In many cases, yes. Capacitors, limit switches, and control boards are all repairable parts. A seized gearbox or burned motor winding usually means replacement, and we’ll tell you that upfront. Hal built Gatewood Fence & Gate on repair-first work, so we only replace what actually needs replacing. Call us for a free second opinion if another outfit told you it’s shot.
A straightforward model-for-model motor head swap usually takes 1 to 2 hours in your driveway. If we need to order a specific OEM part that isn’t on the truck, it’s typically 2 to 4 business days before we’re back out. Schedule a free estimate at (903) 829-4499 and we’ll give you a real time window.
We stock common Linear capacitors, limit switches, control boards, and motor heads for the LSO series on the truck. We also keep compatible parts for LiftMaster, Mighty Mule, and Ghost Controls gates. Oddball or older Linear models may need an order, but we’ll tell you that before you waste a trip.
We can ballpark Labor and common part costs by model right over the phone. We don’t change the number at the door. The final price is set before any work starts. If you have a written estimate from another company, we’ll give you a free second opinion on it.
If your Linear gate motor is grinding, humming, or dead, call (903) 829-4499. A live person answers, not a voicemail. We’ll talk through what your gate is doing, tell you what it likely needs, and schedule a visit. No trip charge inside the county. The name is on the shop, and the shop is down the road.
Written by Hal Gatewood, Owner, Gatewood Fence & Gate at Gatewood Fence & Gate, serving Grand Prairie and nearby areas.



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