Coil spring balances

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
Apr 27, 2023 8:02 am
I have 4 windows that have broken balance springs. Will need replacement parts. If you have any installation guides or videos that would be helpful.

Replacing both sides so will need 8 total
812D4A1F-C0A6-418E-B321-AE224C874789 C7D55D21-5D3C-428A-B8A4-7ECED7905B87 495CFA9E-2832-4CB4-B26D-B02BC774879F
3 user uploaded images
15 Replies
Jasmine
Jasmine from SWISCO
Apr 27, 2023 12:29 pm
SWISCO
EXPERT

Thanks for reaching out! I am confident that there is a replacement coil balance assembly that we will be able to recommend for you, however, I'll need to see a photo of your existing hardware removed from the window.

I'll need to see the pivot shoes as well as any other compatible parts. You'll also need to have them removed to confirm the measurements of your pivot shoe.

Also, you'll need to look for any stamps on the metal coil that might indicate the spring strength needed for your window. If the windows are different sizes, you'll need to confirm the stamps for each window.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
Apr 28, 2023 4:35 pm
Hi Jasmine,

Attached are pictures from the windows. Two are 36" and two are 32", but the hardware appears to be the same. I included a picture of each of the labels just in case.

The label shown is from the 36" window (I see it says 37 x 29.25)
I couldn't send any more pics. The other label says 33 x 29.25


Thanks again,

Jeff
IMG_2463 IMG_2460 IMG_2451 IMG_2457
4 user uploaded images
Jasmine
Jasmine from SWISCO
May 1, 2023 9:03 am
SWISCO
EXPERT

Thanks for the photos. You have a coil balance assembly that appears to be an older discontinued shoe that is no longer available. For this, we typically recommend our 15-192 Certainteed pivot shoe to replace your Simonton brand part but you may need to shave down the aligners from the shoe to install it into the window. Take a look at the dimensions to confirm if it may work for you.

detail of 15-192
detail of 15-192

There are compatible with the Series 170 coil balances as well as the Series 171. The S171 is stacked on top of the S170 in situations where there is more than one coil. The confirm which coil strength you need, you'll need to look for any stamps/markings on the metal coil. If there are no stamps/markings, you'll need to get the window weight and divide it by the total number of coils in the window.

We are now recommending the 15-259 pivot shoe, which should fit well in the track, along with the S159 coils springs and the 15-256 double support. To use this assembly, the original pivot bars would need to be replaced with our 26-083. We are still in the early stages of confirming if this replacement is a good long-term solution but we have high hopes that it will work with little need for modifications, if any. Take a look and if you decide to give it a try, we'd be eager to hear how it works out for you.

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
May 1, 2023 10:24 am
Hi Jasmine,

I am impressed with your knowledge and willingness to help!

I will need parts to replace both sides of four windows. Here is a list, please let me know if there is anything I missed:

8 pivot shoes 15-259
8 pivot bars 26-083
8 coil springs S170
8 coil springs S171
8 covers (wide) I can salvage the other 8. Some broke when removed
No balance drums. I saved all the others

Thank you,

Jeff


Jasmine
Jasmine from SWISCO
May 1, 2023 11:23 am
SWISCO
EXPERT

If you are going with using the 15-259 shoe, you'll need the Series 159 Coil Springs and the 15-256 double support, as described. 

The Series 170 and Series 171 are not compatible with this shoe nor are the wide covers. Also, the balance drum is not used along with the Series 159 springs.

Please be sure to carefully read all of the information above and watch the video so that you can determine the best replacement assembly for your window.

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
May 2, 2023 9:31 am
Okay. Does this look correct?


15-259 pivot shoe - 8 items

S159 coils springs - 8 or 16? Two per track or one per track?

15-256 double support - 8 items

26-083 Pivot Bars - 8 items
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
May 2, 2023 11:37 am
SWISCO
EXPERT

Yes, those are the parts we use to repair Simonton windows like your original. The video Jasmine shared above should hopefully explain how best to install them; I've done this conversion myself and it's fairly straight forward, but it does require a little elbow grease. Coil balances are always going to be a little tricky since it's such a tight fit in the track. I'd be lying if I said I never scraped a knuckle or two.

As for how many springs to use, that depends entirely on how much weight you need. The rule of thumb is to take the weight of the sash and divide that by how many springs support it. Your next step should be to weigh your sash on a scale (any common bathroom scale will do) and then divide it by two, under the assumption that you'll be using one spring per side (for now).

If you find that none of the available Series 159 weight options are strong enough to carry that weight as a pair, then you scratch that out and divide the sash weight by 4, instead. This is now assuming that you'll be using two springs per side.

So, for example, if your sash weight is 19 pounds, and you only want to use one spring per side, then you can easily use the 9.5 pound option for the Series 159. Two of these working together hold 19 pounds exactly.

Hopefully that makes sense, but let me know if you need any clarification.

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
May 2, 2023 3:14 pm
I think the 9.5 pound option in the Series 159 will be fine. The sash does not weigh 19 pounds. Not even sure why they put those in other than to hold the window up.

Tom
Tom from SWISCO
May 3, 2023 9:18 am
SWISCO
EXPERT

Sure, I know the sash doesn't weigh 19 pounds, I only used that as an example. Your next step should absolutely be to weigh your sash to best determine what weight options you need for each spring.

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
May 8, 2023 8:55 am
Wow! Now I know why your title says expert. Two of the sashes weigh 24 pounds and the other 2 weigh 21.

Jeff
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
May 8, 2023 2:04 pm
SWISCO
EXPERT

Great! That makes this a lot easier.

Starting with the 24 pound sash, you have two options. The first is to use S159-12 on each side (12.5 pounds each), which gives you 25 pounds of support. That's one pound over what you need, but in my experience that should be fine. One pound off won't be the end of the world and you probably won't notice a difference.

The other option is to use one S160-6 (6.5 pounds) or one S160-5 (5.5 pounds) per side. This will give you an even 24 pounds of support, but a double spring setup is a little tougher to install. 

It's really up to you which way you want to go, I think both would work equally well, it's just a matter of preference.

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
May 9, 2023 8:13 am
I prefer to go with the 12.5 on each side. I want the easier to install.

Can I use those for all four windows? Even the 21 lb sashes. I'm good with that if you say it's okay.
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
May 9, 2023 8:48 am
SWISCO
EXPERT

I'm very sorry, I totally missed where you mentioned an additional 21 pound sash. That's my fault. 

No, you will need different strength coils for each weight. For a 21 pound sash you can just use one 10.5 pound spring per side. That will give you 21 pounds of support precisely, with no overlap. That should be perfect.

Sorry again for the oversight! I'm happy to answer anything else you need.

Quick Learner from Ann Arbor, MI
May 9, 2023 2:30 pm
Do you have all the information you need for my parts order?
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
May 10, 2023 8:06 am
SWISCO
EXPERT

I'm afraid that I can't place an order for you. You can, however, buy these parts directly on our site at your convenience. You can also call our customer support line at (888) 991-1929 if you'd prefer.

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