The take out clips keep breaking

A handy person from Denver, CO says:
August 30, 2020
Hi. I have single hung vinyl windows. When I try to take out the sash I pull out the takeout clips and raise the sash. When I get to the take out clips I feel the clips engage. As I raise it more, the clips on both sides always either break or get bent and pulled out of the slots. I replaced the takeout clips and the same thing happened with the new ones. This happened on every window in my house. The only way to catch and release the the balance is to use a screw in place of the takeout clip. It's like the takeout clips are not sturdy enough to handle the balance spring. I use the takeout clip to reinstall the sash with no problem. It's not difficult to raise or lower the sash. This is a S385 34" option 3330. Is this a common problem? Can I get a sturdier takeout clip?
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Tom from SWISCO responded:
September 3, 2020

I've actually never heard of this problem before. Take out clips are already made out of metal so I don't think they get any sturdier than what you have. Let me look into this more and see if I can come up with an explanation for why this is happening to you.
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Paul from SWISCO responded:
September 3, 2020

I don't know what the problem could be, either. The manufacturer has been making the 16-002 take out clip for over fifty years from zinc plated steel. They are supposed to be strong enough to hold up to 45 pounds of force, but your spring strength is only rated for 23 pounds. I can't account for why you're having this problem with every single window in your house. They don't make a sturdier clip, but if they did then that wouldn't solve your problem. The 16-002 should be plenty sturdy by itself.

Basically, this shouldn't be happening. There must be something else at work that we aren't aware of, but I don't know what it could be.
A handy person from Denver, CO says:
September 3, 2020
I found the solution. I cleaned and lubricated the track and that solved it. Works better now. However I don't think I was using that much force that it would break and the screws worked. Thanks for the support.
Take Out Clip
Take Out Clip
16-002
$0.41
34" Series 385 Channel Balance
34" Series 385 Channel Balance
S385-34
$11.73
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