S900 balances snapped when closing the last half inch

A professional from Uncasville, CT says:
July 7, 2016
I ordered S900-26 balances. I should have gotten 27" but I moved the installation down an inch to account for the difference in length. I hope these pictures tell the story. As I said to customer care when I called Wednesday AM, everything went well until we closed the window the last half inch. When we did that, both balances snapped.What is the problem.
User submitted image of their window hardware.
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Paul from SWISCO responded:
July 11, 2016
Sorry to hear about the problem. It definitely sounds like the balances are too short, even after you moved it down. That said, moving the installation hole down an inch should have made up for it. What is the exact length of the tube for the old balance? Can you also tell me the exact length of the inside spiral?
A quick learner from CT says:
July 14, 2016
Hi,
Thanks for the response. You asked for the exact length of the tube and the spiral.
The tube is 27 " and the spiral, (not including the part that holds it in place) is 26".

Hope this is helpful. Keep me updated, please.
Thank you,

Andy
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Paul from SWISCO responded:
July 15, 2016
Thank you. If those measurements came up short when you closed the sash, then I would recommend our S900-27. This has a 27" long tube an a 28" long spiral.
26" Series 900 Spiral Balance
26" Series 900 Spiral Balance
S900-26
$8.95
27" Series 900 Spiral Balance
27" Series 900 Spiral Balance
S900-27
$9.05
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