Coil Balance ID
Hello! Looks like you may just need a new coil balance. See our Series 152 for my recommendation. As long as the shoe and cover are in good condition then you can just reuse those.
Oh, I forgot to say that the shoe is broken on the other one (not shown in photo. Actually, on that one - the coil is fine, it's just the shoe). I'm a novice, I was wondering if it would be easier for me to just replace the whole unit. Is there a large difference in cost?
P.S., as far as the weight, the one I removed so far says (stamped on the coil): "5 K" Can I assume it's 5 for both sides? (I haven't removed the one with the broken shoe yet).
Thanks for clarifying. We actually don't sell these as complete assemblies, we only sell the components separately. If you do need a new shoe then that would be the 15-177. I'm very confident that that's what you need.
As for the weight, it's always going to be the same on both sides, yes. If one side says 5 then you can be confident that the other side will be the same.
Or - do you have a video that shows me how to order the parts from you and reassemble the assembly from what I've got now. It just doesn't look obvious to me how these whole thing comes apart and is put back together.
Thanks
No, I don't think you could use the 8 pound spring and still let your window function. Consider this: if you have a single 5 pound spring on each side of your window, then your sash likely weighs 10 pounds. If you use an 8 pound spring in each case instead, then you'd be applying 18 pounds of spring pressure to a 10 pound sash. In a best case scenario, the sash would be incredibly hard to close; in a worst case scenario, it would open on its own after you walk away.
These are very precise systems and you want the support range to match the weight of the sash as precisely as you can get it.
As for ordering from us, it's very easy. You just add the product to your cart from the store page I linked you to above, then click "checkout" at the upper right corner of the page.
We don't have a video on reassembling the balance components but the spring just fits into the slots you see in the shoe and is then secured with a screw. There is an older video on how to install a similar assembly in the window once it's put together. It's not exactly the same style as yours but it works in more or less the same way. You may find it helpful.
Thanks for clarifying. You'd still run into a similar problem, then, just on the opposite side of the spectrum. Regardless of how many springs you're using on each side, the fact remains that if you don't have the same weight support as before then they will not work properly. If they are too strong then your window will be hard to close, and if they are too weak then it will be hard to open. Think of it like Goldilock's porridge.
The long and short of it is: if you have 5 pound springs now, stick with 5 pounds. Trying to use different parts will just cause you problems in the end. It's not worth the convenience since you'd only end up having to return the hardware for working improperly.
I can't say for sure if all four springs in your window are 5 pounds. There is a good chance that they are but you should check to be sure. Better safe than sorry.