I have 30 yr old metal windows with spiral balances. A couple of them will open ok, but with such a loud sort of "sproing" spring sound that I don't open/close during the night for fear of waking neighbors. What do you recommend to lubricate the spiral springs in place? Is 3in1 ok? Silcone spray? Teflon?
Short of replacing the balances, is this worth a try?
-Greg
7 Replies
I ordered 3 sets of balances(but not the pivot shoes until I measure) and the tool for now since that's probably the best overall solution.
As I think about the lube issue, I think lubing the spiral in place is not the solution.
Since the spiral is fixed, there must be piece in the tube that rotates as it slides up/down along the spiral. That piece must be attached to a coiled spring inside the balance which tightens or loosens the coiled spring as the window moves down/up. Using the tool to rotate/adjust the spiral balance probably tightens/loosens the coiled spring in the tube to adjust the nominal tension of the coiled spring.
Now - I think the loud noise of the spring in moving the window is probably due to the friction of the coiled spring with the inner surface of the tube. I doubt much lube applied on the spiral will make it to the coiled spring/tube interface without removing the balance and liberally applying lubricant to the inverted balance so the lube flows into the balance. I will probably try that with 3in1, since it will flow; and let you know if that succeeds.
1) One thing I'm not sure about from the written instructions: beyond tilting the window to expose the pivot lock shoe, it does not say to remove the window to gain access to the shoe; yet it seems to me that the only way to adjust with the charging tool is to remove the window. Removing, adjusting, reinstalling the window, then repeating for further adjustment is rather involved since my windows are so heavy. The window does have to be removed, right?
2) If I replace a balance, I need to move the shoe close to the balance so upon removing the top screw, there is little tension in the spring or else use the tool to loosen the tension all the way right?
-Greg
I'm taking baby steps on one window, before I move to all the other problem windows.
I want to order a few pivot shoes to have on hand.
Picture attached.
Length, top to bottom: !-7/8"
Width, front to back: 31/32"
Thicknes: 7/16" at top, slight bump out at top.
The rotating locking opening (that accepts the sash pivot bars) is 1/4"x3/16"
Suggested replacement part?
1 user uploaded images
