Linder window rails

Quick Learner from Longmont, CO
We have a Linder window that won't stay up. It appears that there aren't any "rails" that would guide the window up and down / hold it in place. Basically the window is just kind of sitting loose in the frame. (We have NO idea how this happened, but we think it must've been like this when we bought the house.) Is it hard to fix that? We're selling our house and trying to figure out whether this is something we can tackle ourselves or if we should hire someone.

Here's a photo of the inside of the track of the window. Right now the window is loose in the track -- I think we're missing the metal "rail" that guides the window up and down on the sides of the window frame in the wall.

Sorry if I'm messing up all the terminology. Hopefully you understand what I'm getting at.

Thanks!
User submitted a photo of a window.
6 Replies
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Thank you for posting! It sounds like you're missing the channel balance for your window. Unfortunately, I can't tell what type you have based on this image. I would have to see the original channel balance that was installed in this window. Would you happen to have them, or are they totally missing? Are there any identical windows in the house that you can look at?
Quick Learner from Longmont, CO
Thanks for your response! Here are photos of the channel balance of an identical window. Do you need more close-ups?

Thanks!
User submitted photos of a window balance.
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Hey, thanks for getting back to us. I've narrowed this down to two possible channel balance Series: either our Series 380 or our Series 385 balances.

Now, as you can see, there is only one difference between these two Series, and that is their bottom shoe. The Series 380 uses the 15-005 while the Series 385 uses the 15-004. I can't quite tell what you have based on your pictures, though. Please carefully compare their dimensions to your own hardware and see which is a better match.
Comparison of 15-004 and 15-005
Comparison of 15-004 and 15-005
Quick Learner from Longmont, CO
I will definitely check the dimensions -- thanks! So do we need anything else besides the channel balance? Any other parts?
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Well, it looks like your top sash guides are in good condition, so I think you may be set. You could check to see if that window has its take out clips. Check out our 16-002. You can also see our video on how these balances are installed to give you a better idea of what to look out for.
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