Broken One Side of Spiral Balance For Single Hung Windows

Home Owner from San Francisco, CA

Hi,

I am uploading some pictures for the broken spiral balance spring for my single hung windows which is from MI Windows and Doors. You can see that the left side of spiral balance was broken while the right side of spiral balance is working fine. But it won't hold off the window. The last picture is the warrant sticker from MI Windows and Doors.

Would you help me locate the part I need?

Thank you so much

Ivor

3 user uploaded images
11 Replies
Paul
Paul from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hello!

It looks like your MI window is using the 15-199 pivot shoe with 1/2" wide coil springs, which would be our Series 160. The spring weight will be stamped on the coil spring. Your coil spring cover should look like our 15-150D. Look it over and see what you think. We've also related some videos on this page that you may find helpful.

Home Owner from San Francisco, CA
Hi Paul,

Thanks so much for looking over at my post. I appreciate your time and recommendation. Would you mind letting me how many of each of these, Series 160 and 15-150D I need to purchase? For Series 160, how much lb should I need? I don't seem to find the stamp or imprint from anywhere. Any suggestion and recommendation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance
Ivor
Paul
Paul from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

You'll need to weigh your sash and then tell us the weight so we can figure out the coil spring weights. For the nylon covers, if your old ones aren't broken, you can reuse them.

Home Owner from San Francisco, CA
Thanks Paul.

I reached out the window manufacturer for the specification of the window. Here is what they replied:

"Your balance will be an omega, the weight of the sash is 15.3 lbs and will require size 9 balances for both sides."

Would you let me know exactly what I need?

Thanks much,
Ivor
Paul
Paul from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hey, Ivor.

As per the manufacturer's recommendations, you will need two 15-199 pivot shoes, two S160-9 coil springs and two 15-150S nylon coil spring housings. This will take care of one sash. Please note, you don't have to replace everything, just what is broken. 

Home Owner from San Francisco, CA
Hi Paul,

Thank you so much for your advice. I've made the order for these item. Really appreciate the help! It is great great service and it is very smooth process.

Best
Ivor
Paul
Paul from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

It was my pleasure and thank you for the kind words, Ivor. We truly appreciate your business! If you have any future hardware questions just let us know, we'll be here to help. 

Home Owner from San Francisco, CA
Hi Paul,

My contractor did not have time to fix the window until this month. But it appears that the coil is not the right size. I uploaded pictures for the one I purchased from Swisco, which is the bronze color, and the old one which is the silver color. You can see that the size of the inner circles for these two coils are different so that it does not fit the window. I also include a picture for the old coil that fits into the support, but the new coil that does not fit the support. Would that be possible to tell what size of coil I should purchase based on the pictures?

Thanks
Ivor
4 user uploaded images
Home Owner from San Francisco, CA
Hi Paul,

Or maybe a right size support that fits the new coil?

Ivor
Paul
Paul from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

In the last photo you're showing the two coil springs, S160-9 with the pivot shoe, 15-199 and 15-150S housing. It appears they are not lined up correctly. 

Turn the pivot shoe up with the holes for the coil spring to lock on. Then, turn the coil spring housings around with the bumper down to the pivot shoes. Place the coil springs on top of the bumpers and hook the coil spring to the pivot shoe. When you screw the coil spring housing, it will hold the coil spring in place. They don't require a center wheel inside. Let me know if this helps.

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