Need help understanding why my spiral balance rods are broken...

A handy person from Arlington says:
September 22, 2017
I'm pretty confident what I need to order - 17", blue tip for a tilt sash. The question really is why the existing spiral balance rods are broken and what these new ones will fix. Right now, the spiral rod, the tip, and the spring all come out of the tube freely; there's nothing that keeps the tip or the spring inside the tube. Is there something at the other end of the spring that keeps it integrated? Does the tip jam or secure into the end of the tube somehow? It's more of a curiosity for a somewhat handy person.

Thanks!
Brian
User submitted photos of a window balance.
Profile picture of Tom
Tom from SWISCO responded:
September 27, 2017
Thanks for posting, Brian. It just sounds like the spring itself is shot. This would account for why the bits and pieces all come out freely. These things are meant to be under a lot of tension, but once that tension goes there's nothing to keep the inside rod where it needs to be. It'll just flop around.
Spiral Balance Charging Tool for Tilt Windows
Spiral Balance Charging Tool for Tilt Windows
75-006
$9.97
17" Series 600 Spiral Tilt Window Balance
17" Series 600 Spiral Tilt Window Balance
S600-17
$8.28
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