25+ year old Spiral balances, oil leaking

A handy person from Lewiston, Maine says:
December 6, 2011
My double hung tilt Vinyl windows were installed in 1983 and over the years oil has leaked out of the spiral balances and no longer hold the bottom sash open.

The spiral balances are the 26" x 5/8" red tips

Can you tell me what you think has happened and what I can do to remedy this?

Thanks for your help

Richard B
Profile picture of Paul
Paul from SWISCO responded:
December 6, 2011
Thanks for posting on the discussion board, Richard.

The life expectancy of the Series 600 Spiral Balance is about twenty years. So, it may be time to replace them with new spiral balances.

From the information you have given, it appears the correct replacements will be the S600-26 Red Tip Spiral Balances. Take a look and compare them to your original.
26" Series 600 Spiral Tilt Window Balance
26" Series 600 Spiral Tilt Window Balance
S600-26
$9.05
How to replace a tilt window spiral balance.
How to replace a tilt window spiral balance.
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How to Identify a Replacement Spiral Balance
How to Identify a Replacement Spiral Balance
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How to choose the proper spiral balance tip color
How to choose the proper spiral balance tip color
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How to adjust a spiral balance on a tilt window
How to adjust a spiral balance on a tilt window
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