Spiral Balance Repair

A quick learner from daphne al says:
I found and read carefully your discussion with Quick Learner posted June 1, 2015. This is closest situation to mine. I have GA single hung builder grade installed 1997 and balance has failed. His pics look like mine. After screwing in the top - you say to let the spiral drop down. Does gravity attract the downward drop or must I assist by turning the spiral? If it doesn't fall naturally - is this tell tale to purchase new balances? In any case, should the spiral pass easily by a sash clip? If so, how does it lock after the upward feed. Is there any way to see the bottom anatomy of the clip being engaged?
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Paul from SWISCO responded:
The spiral should twist easily in and out. Seeing as how this was installed in 1997, I would put some white grease on the spiral to help it twist smoothly.

With someone helping you, you will need to drop the new balance in from the top of the sash, screw it in at the top, then let the spiral drop down. You will then raise the sash and, while someone holds the sash in the open position, spin the spiral up to the bottom of the sash. Finally, with our 75-004 tool, give the balance about three turns to charge it and lock it to the end into the sash clip.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
A quick learner from daphne al says:
So far so good to the point of using a 75-004 tool to give the balance three turns to charge it and lock it to the end into the sash clip. I am enclosing a pic of the bottom and the pic suggest an obstruction of some kind or is this normal. I will order the tool in any event as I assume other windows will be faltering in the near future. If the clip is faulty is there a solution other than removing the entire window?
User submitted a photo of window hardware.
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Paul from SWISCO responded:
It looks like the clip that the balance is attached to is bent, preventing you from hooking on to the spiral end. Carefully bend back the clip towards the sash to reveal the balance end. I believe you have either our Series 400 or Series 500 depending on the diameter of the tube.
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