Adjusting pivot shoe

Home Owner from Louisville, Ky.
When I pull down on the left pivot shoe and let go it will stay down it fly's back up. Why is this and how do I fix this problem. Thanks for your help, Vicki
18 Replies
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Hey, Vicki. I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. Does it stay down or fly up? Also, it is still attached to the balance, correct? It is probably an issue with that, not the shoe itself. I think you might want to reduce tension. Is it a spiral balance? If so, check out the guide below to see how you can adjust your tilt window spiral balance.
Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
I'm sorry Tom, my fault. It fly's back up. Yes, it is still attached to the balance and it is a spiral balance.
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Have you tried adjusting the spiral balance? I think that may be it. If that doesn't work, though, let me know and we can work from there.
Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
Tom, After looking the window over real good I can't tell if it is a spiral balance until I get the channel balance out. How do I get it out? There is no screw that I can see that holds it in. I forgot to mention the numbers that are on the channel balance: 14 3 DV CMC 6
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Ah, so do you have a channel balance instead of a spiral balance? It would depend on what type of channel balance you have, then. I'll need to have you identify it, first. Check out our Channel Balance Home Page and follow the steps shown until you find the Series that best matches what you have. From there, we can give you instructions on how to remove it.
Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
Tom, What I see is "Tilt Window Plain Channel Balance". The bottom of the Channel Balance has a hole but there is no screws or anything holding it in place, also no hooks are in the hole to grab on to. Also there are no holes at the top either. It looks like the 765 series. Until I get that out I can't tell if it is a Spiral Balance or not. Hope this helps
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Well, channel balances and spiral balances are two completely different systems, and wouldn't be used in the same window. If you have the Series 765, then you have a channel balance, not a spiral balance.

First, you will want to disengage the balance from the shoe. Then, since there are no screws holding the balance in the window, there might be a hook. I can't really know from here, so give it a thorough once-over and see how its attached at the top.

If you aren't sure, or if you can't find anything, then I will need to see detailed pictures.
Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
OK! There is a hook on the channel balance at the bottom but I don't see how I can get it out. Is there a tool that I need to get to remove it? Also, the pivot shoe will not move at all I tried to push it down and it won't budge.
Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
Tom, The windows I have are American Craftsman and there are no take out clips.
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

The pivot shoe likely can't move because it's still in the locked position. You can tell if it's locked because the slot in the cam will be vertical. You'll want to get a  slotted screwdriver and turn it so that the slot is horizontal. Then you can slide it up and down as you see fit.

 

You shouldn't need a tool. I'm not sure what you can do, though. I think at this point it's best if we see pictures.

Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
OK! I will try and get some pictures for you. Thank you Tom.
Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
Here are the pictures you asked for. They are of the left side window. I hope they help. Also I took a flat-head screwdriver and turned the cam until it was unlocked but when I pull it down now it will not stay down, it goes back up if I let go of it. The right side of the window is fine.
User submitted photos of window hardware.
Paul
Paul from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Ah, I see. You have what appears to be something similar to our Series 765 balance. These are not adjustable. The pivot shoe might be just flat out broken since you can't lock it in place. The part number for the pivot shoe that goes with our Series 765 is our 15-046. Does that look right to you? You can look at our video on replacing pivot shoes.
Quick Learner from Louisville, Ky.
Just wanted to say thank you for the help you have given me on learning how to adjust the pivot shoes and get my window back in. If it weren't for your website and your help I would have had to call someone to come in and fix the problem for me and pay them. I will definitely use this site again. Vicki Wade
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Awesome! Glad we were able to help you. Let me know if you need anything else, we'd be happy to help.
Home Owner from Brooklyn, NY
When you put in a new pivot shoe, does it need to be locked into any particular position?
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

No, not particularly. You only need to concern yourself with the position of both shoes in regards to putting the sash back in the frame. Oftentimes it's easier for the shoe on one side of the window to be higher than its partner, allowing you to put the sash in at an angle. 

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