Double hang window - Coil balance

Quick Learner from New York

Oct 13, 2023 11:41 pm

Dear experts,

I wanted to replace the balance shoes and the coils because they feel loose and heavy.

I found "Certainteed" on the coil cover in picture 3.

I unlocked the sash and turned it horizontally, but didn't find gaps on either pivot lock shoe. (picture 2).

What type of pivot shoes are they? and how can I remove the sash and replace them?

3 user uploaded images

8 Replies

Bob from SWISCO

Oct 15, 2023 11:43 pm

Thanks for posting. It sounds like you might have the Certainteed 15-192 shoe, which uses Series 170 and Series 171 Coil Balances. See the first video below. See the second video which details how to remove a different but similar coil balance system. Let me know if you have further questions.

Quick Learner from New York

Oct 16, 2023 1:04 am

Hi Bob, thank you for the quick response. I cleaned my pivot shoes, but still didn't find the gap to remove the sash. (check picture 2, there's no gap to install/remove the sash).

Do you know what type of pivot shoes are they and is there any tutorial about how to remove the sash? Any suggestion is really appreciated.

Bob from SWISCO

Oct 16, 2023 3:23 pm

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean when you say there's no gap to remove the sash. If this is a tilt window then you should be able to remove it by tilting the sash in and then lifting it out.

If you mean that you have a closed-cam mechanism, then you need to twist the sash as you tilt it in simultaneously. The goal there is to push the shoe on one side of the window so that it's higher than the shoe on the other side of the window.

Quick Learner from New York

Oct 21, 2023 4:29 pm

Thanks a lot! With your help, I removed the window sash and checked the parts. The coil has the mark "336 SA" on it as in Figures 1 and 2. Is there a recommendation for the shoes and coil replacement?

The double-hung window is hard to open and cannot lock (especially the top one close to the outside). I found the locks are not aligned. The middle of the top window seems a little bit lower than the left and right sides when the window is closed as in Figures 3 and 4.

Do you think replacing the shoes and coils will solve both problems? Thanks.

4 user uploaded images

Bob from SWISCO

Oct 24, 2023 8:19 am

Hello! I'm glad you were able to finally get the balance assembly out of the frame. Looking at these photos, my suggestion from the 15th remains the same. I believe our 15-192 shoe and Series 170 spring are exactly what you want. You can disregard my suggestion for a Series 171; you only need that if you have two springs per side, and I see now that you only have one. There's no need to worry about that.

Just one last note: you have an older version of the 15-192 shoe. Certainteed now makes these with small bumps on the front face that work as aligners, but this is only applicable in their new windows. In older windows like yours, those bumps actually get in the way. You may need to sand them down or even trim them off with a utility knife.

As for the locks not aligning, this is an issue that has a lot of potential sources. However the balance is definitely a top contender: if your window isn't properly supported on both sides then the sash won't align properly. Since you have to replace the balances anyway, you may as well give it a try and see how it goes.

Quick Learner from New York

Oct 24, 2023 12:45 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. The shoes I have is pretty similar to the following figures. -- I want to change them for sure.

How to know if I need to change the spring coil?

2 user uploaded images

Bob from SWISCO

Oct 25, 2023 8:33 am

If the only thing that broke for you is the shoe, then you may very well be able to reuse the old springs. Knowing when they need to be replaced can be tricky, though, especially if there's no signs of damage.

Basically, you have to be mindful of how easy your window is to operate. If you find it difficult to open, as if it weighs more than it used to, or that it even drifts closed on its own, then it would behoove you to buy new springs.

Just note that if you replace one spring on a window, you need to replace all springs that are used on that same window. You never want to mix old and new coils.