G-U Window operator/controller is stripped

Home Owner from Michigan
My casement replacement windows are about 25yrs old. I have to replace the operators on 2 windows (each window has a Left and a Right sash, so a total of 4 bad operators). The operator mechanism that mounts on the interior of the window frames are cracked/broken where the handle sets into the operator, and the mechanism inside each operator is stripped so I can't crank the windows open or closed. The only writing found on both the bottom of the white plastic and imprinted into the metal arm is "G-U" as well as "Patent Pending Made in the USA" on the white plastic part.
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7 Replies
Bob
Bob from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Thanks for posting. This GU operator was discontinued some time ago, but you might be able to use our 39-316 as a substitute. The video below shows how to do this. Take a look and see what you think. 

Home Owner from Michigan
I checked some measurements and reviewed the video and by gosh, I think this replacement part will work! Just ordered the parts I'll need and have my fingers crossed. Thank you for the quick reply!
Bob
Bob from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Great, thank you! We appreciate the business, it means a lot.

Feel free to reach out if you had any follow up questions. We're always here to assist.

Home Owner from Michigan
I got 2 of the 39-316 operators (and 2 of it's opposite equals) and am in middle of switching one out. But when I try to close the window, it doesn't draw the window close enough for the latching mechanism affixed to the window frame to latch on and pull it in tightly with the interior casement lock/release lever. I did some comparisons and it looks like with my old operator, the smaller metal "arm" is about 1/8" longer than the replacement operator (measuring from the crook of the "elbow", as in your photos) and the longer attached arm is 3/8" longer than the replacement operator. So I'm missing about 1/2" in total arm length.

I'm not seeing any of this particular model of operator with a 5 1/2" attached arm instead of a 5" attached arm. Just thought I would run this by your staff to see if I'm overlooking something?

If you have no other operator option for me, my only other thought is to move the stud bracket (39-514) screwed to bottom of the window itself (that the new operator arm attaches to) 1/2" inward from the corner of the window where it's currently located. My thought is that this should reduce the needed arm length by 1/2" but I'm not sure if it will compromise the performance of the operator or window.
Home Owner from Michigan
Update: I decided to go ahead and try moving the mounting bracket on the sash in 1/2" and all that did was make the smaller arm of the operator stick out just a smidge too much that it hits against the window and won't pull the window any closer than it did before I moved it. So I'm back to needing a 5 1/2" arm.
Tim
Tim from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hey there, maybe I can help. I've worked on this kind of project before and I know exactly what you're going through. The fact is that these brackets are a little particular about how far they can be moved, and there's no easy way to figure it out with trial and error. Based on your description I really think that 1/2" was a little too far of an adjustment. You probably want to pare it back to between a 1/8" to 1/4". That's what I would do.

I know that's not ideal, and it is frustrating. Using substitutions like this are never a perfect science. I can tell you with confidence that the hardware you purchased will work for your window, you just have to adjust the bracket to the sweet spot.

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