Double Coil for Simonton Windows

Quick Learner from Minneapolis, MN

Oct 3, 2022 8:31 pm

Hi.
Here is a double coil balance. As you can see, the plastic shoe for the pivot is cracked in half and only one half remains. The coils themselves seem fine. I could just replace the shoe, or the entire thing. There's no markings on the coil ends. The only markings I see are on the white plastic holder. There's "4" and a little number dial with arrow.

What do you think?
Thanks,
Freya

3 user uploaded images

14 Replies

Quick Learner from Minneapolis, MN

Oct 3, 2022 9:18 pm

Hi, Again;

I found another reference number which may help determine which balance I should use. The number is on a tag in the window frame: 5715175/02. Maybe that means something to you.

Best,

Freya

Emily from SWISCO

Oct 7, 2022 11:03 am

Hi, Freya.

Thanks for reaching out to us! We don't carry the exact pivot shoe shown here but you can use our 15-259 and Series 159 coil springs to replace your old setup. I recommend watching the video below. It will explain exactly how to replace your hardware with these new parts. Let me know what you think.

Quick Learner from Minneapolis

Oct 7, 2022 1:46 pm

Ok, but my current balance is a double. And the coils are connected to the shoe with a little bolt. Could I connect with new shoe (your black one) to the existing coils? I'm still confused. Spell this out for me like I'm 5 years old

Freya

Emily from SWISCO

Oct 7, 2022 3:33 pm

Since you have two springs per side, you would need the 15-256 support. I'm afraid you can't use your old springs with our 15-259. This is specifically designed to work with the Series 159 "T" shaped coil tongue.

If you need to determine what coil weight option is needed, check the band of your springs for a stamped number. If there aren't any, tell me the weight of your sash and I'll be able to calculate the spring weight from there.

Quick Learner from Minneapolis

Oct 7, 2022 3:47 pm

Ok. There are no numbers. I'll figure the weight. But let me ask you: if I make a change, will I go with a single coil rated for the weight of the sash? And, will I be able to leave the one on the other side as it is? That one is fine. In fact, that one works the window by itself. You can feel that it's not as secure, but it does stay up. Or, will I be switching to single coils on both sides. OR will I be making new double coils using the shoe you told me about earlier?

Freya

Tom from SWISCO

Oct 10, 2022 10:50 am

Hey there! Emily isn't here today, but I'll do my best to assist you.

For now, don't worry about the number of springs used for this balance assembly. Your goal should be to cover the weight of the window. The number of springs doesn't really matter as long as they can hold up the sash, and as long as they're symmetrical.

Which brings me to the next point: you will have to replace both balance assemblies on either side of the window. You cannot mix old and new hardware or else the window will have an uneven operation.

Quick Learner from Minneapolis

Oct 15, 2022 1:57 pm

Hi again. I've finally determined the weight of the sash. It's 18#. Earlier you showed me a double coil "housing" and a coil, and a shoe/pivot unit. The coil said "choose your weight rating" and the highest option was 12.5#. Since my window is 18#, does that mean I need a coil rated for 9 on each side? Or, do I need 18# of spring for each side? What's interesting to me is that the double spring that is still in the window is able to hold up the sash on its own. Anyway, let me know if you think I should stay with double coils or change to singles. Please let me know all the part numbers you recommended.

Best,
Freya

Tom from SWISCO

Oct 17, 2022 8:07 am

Hello, Freya. When it comes to coil balances you want to divide the weight of the sash by how many springs support it. That number doesn't necessarily have to be the original quantity, either, you can use more or less springs per side as needed.

In your case, you could use two 4.5 pound spring on each side. That would add up to 18 pounds of support exactly. You could also use one 9.5 pound spring per side. At 19 pounds of total support, that would over-shoot the goal by a pound, but to be perfectly honest that isn't going to be the end of the world. You likely won't notice the difference.

It's ultimately up to you! Installing a balance assembly with only one spring will be a lot easier than trying to install an assembly with two, but if you use two springs per side then you'll come closer to hitting your mark.

Quick Learner from Minneapolis

Oct 17, 2022 8:58 am

One sounds better. Please recommend the parts needed. One spring, both sides.

Thank you!

Tom from SWISCO

Oct 17, 2022 10:28 am

So that would be the S159-9, in addition to the other parts that Emily recommended. The only change would be that you'd want the 15-255 single spring support instead of the 15-256 double spring support that she mentioned.

Quick Learner from Minneapolis

Nov 6, 2022 2:02 pm

Ok. I managed to replace the coil assemblies on both sides, going to a single on each side instead of a double. Getting the old one out was a real bear. Getting the new one in was a bear too. But the worst bear of all is the fact that the pivot thingies on the window don't fit into the new shoes. I see that they come out. Here's one now. I'll need to replace these with ones that fit the window and the shoe. I wish someone would have warned me about this possibility.

1 user uploaded image

Quick Learner from Minneapolis

Nov 6, 2022 2:54 pm

Does this label mean anything to you?

1 user uploaded image

Tom from SWISCO

Nov 7, 2022 8:28 am

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble. We actually cover the pivot bar aspect in the video Emily showed you bacon the 7th. At around the 2:00 mark, you can see that the old Simonton pivot bar won't fit in the new shoe. We recommend using the 26-083 instead.