Broken Pivot shoe and Pivot Bar

Quick Learner from Greenwood, IN
Single hung Vinyl window with a broken Pivot bar and pivot shoe, as seen in DNCN0556.

The window is original window installed in a new house by CP Morgan Home Builders (now defunct). The house was built in Greenwood Indiana in 2006. I have no idea who the window manufacturer was. All that I know is that the house contained two sizes of these windows. They are identified in the Sales Documents as 3052 & 2052. However, the actual size of the windows is larger than 30" x 52" or 20" x 52". The top of the lower window is shown in DSCN0558.

The tilt latch is shown in DSCN0559. The tilt latch upper frame is 2-3/8" x 5/8".


The pivot bar broke when pivoting the window and I cannot remove the remnant of the bar from the pivot shoe. Also, the pivot shoe does not rotate, so it is possible that the shoe was frozen when I tilted the window and the excessive torque on a rusted pivot bar snapped it in two.

Hopefully, I have provided enough information for you to identify the window and thank you in advance for your effort to do that.

Dennis

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8 Replies
Jasmine
Jasmine from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hey there,

Thanks for contacting us! This exact pivot shoe is no longer available but we've used and recommended the 15-046 Pivot Shoe to replace it. I am confident this should work for your repairs but I would still suggest removing the shoe and comparing the dimensions.

Alternate image for 15-046
Alternate image for 15-046

Based on the description of the issue you are experiencing, it does sound like the pivot bar become rusted. The good news is, there is a fairly easy solution for correcting this issue.

Be sure to take a look at the video tutorials tagged below.

Quick Learner from Greenwood, IN
I looked at American Craftsman windows at Home Depot this weekend and most of the components look very similar to the ones on my 18-year-old windows. I think I will order a small number of replacement parts to make sure that they work. If good, I will order a few dozen each of the pivot shoes and pivot bars. I will probably also grab a few 765 Balances, just to have them handy. I have two different size windows so I will want to determine which 765 options to get as spares.

Thank You for your help, and for identifying a probable replacement shoe.
Jasmine
Jasmine from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hi Dennis,

I'm happy to help! To select the correct balances from our list of Series 765 Balances, you'll need to confirm the length of  your metal channel. Then you'll select the stamp option using the stamp on the metal channel of the balance. 

For example, the balance pictured above has a 26 in the stamp but I cannot make out the rest of it. I am making an assumption but I am confident the length should be 27", so this would be the S765-27. Be sure to double check the lengths.

If you cannot cross-reference the stamps with those on our website, you'll need to obtain the exact weight of your sash. There are a list of weight ranges, below the product description of each length, that lists the amount of weight each stamp can support.

Quick Learner from Greenwood, IN
Jasmine,

After reading you last response, I measured the length of the channel. It was easy to do because when the pivot bar snapped, the spring IMMEDIATELY pulled the channel up to the top of the window and the channel is easy to measure there. The length of that channel is 27". I then tilted out one of the smaller windows and measured its channel length. Again, 27".

None of the windows in my house have an upper sash stop, but I should be able to use 1/4" PVC panel, cut it to the right length and width, and mill out a channel to fit into the vinyl channel on my window.

Thanks again for the added help Jasmine,

Dennis
Jasmine
Jasmine from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hi Dennis,

It was my pleasure to assist! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any other questions or any future hardware repair projects you might have.

Have a great day!

Quick Learner from Greenwood, IN
Jasmine,

I just wanted to let you know that the parts you recommended worked and I have fully repaired the window. I also wanted to mention that it is a little bit easier to replace the sash with the closed-top pivot shoulder if you spray some WD-40 DRY LUBE (Teflon) around the pivot shoulder before you re-insert the sash (the DRY LUBE isn't a dirt trap). It makes it just a bit easier to move the shoulder to straighten the sash in the frame when you re-install the sash. I mention this because another user said that they sanded the shoulder brake, and using the DRY LUBE is a lot simpler way to do it.

That Window Jamb spreader also worked very, very well.

I have ordered a few more spare parts to keep on hand.

Thanks for your help!!!! I would not have been able to fix the window without your help :)

Jasmine
Jasmine from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hey there,

Thanks for your kind feedback, I'll be sure to pass this information along to the team because it is very useful information.

I'm happy to hear we could get you set up with the right replacement hardware and we certainly appreciate your business!

Have a great day!

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