Help Choosing Channel Balance Top & Shoe

Quick Learner from Dallas, TX
Just bought a house and most of the windows don't stay open. Used the videos here to learn how to remove the channel balance on one window and the things just fell apart as soon as I took them out.

First, I need help figuring out what parts I need. It has a 2730 stamp and measures 1/2" (maybe 9/16") wide, so that really narrows it down. But I cannot figure out what top and shoe combo I need. It looks like I have a winged top and non-winged shoe, and I don't see an assembly that comes with that setup. Do I need an exact match?

Also, just wondering your opinion on why so many in the same house would fail. Cheap, builder-grade equipment? Or is it possible they're not the correct weight rating or something else?

Thank you!
Zack
User submitted photos of a window balance.
4 Replies
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Good morning, and thanks for posting. Looks like your top attachment is winged, while your bottom is not. Since this doesn't match any of our standard Series, your balance will have to be specially made.

Before I can work on that, though, I'll need to figure out what that bottom shoe is. Check out our 15-001 and 15-002 and tell me which is a closer match.
Comparison of 15-001 & 15-002
Comparison of 15-001 & 15-002
Quick Learner from Dallas, TX
Hi Tom! I measured this weekend and had in my notes that the depth is somewhere from 1 1/8 - 1 3/16" depending on how I measured and the part being a little beat up. So this morning, I actually filled out the form and got a "custom" build link for 4 of these with 19-005 on top and 15-001 on bottom. Can't wait to try them out - and assuming they do, will have a lot more windows to look at and match parts with.

Still curious though -- why do you think so many (most) in this house would have failed after 12 years? Inexpensive equipment originally installed or something else? Thanks!
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Great! Glad you were able to find what you needed. As for the lifespan, 12 years is actually pretty long, especially if the windows were used often.
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