What is this part called?

Quick Learner from Baltimore

May 18, 2011 10:26 am

I have 25-year old Thermal Gard tilting windows. Between the pivot shoe (15-048) and the bottom end of the spiral balance, there is a white, rubber-like thing. With age it has become melted and gummy. What is it? Can I, or should I replace it?

5 Replies

Tom from SWISCO

May 18, 2011 2:49 pm

Can you take a quick picture of the part and submit it to us? I'm sure we'd be able to help you identify and locate the part.

Quick Learner from Baltimore

May 18, 2011 3:12 pm

Okay, will do. It will take me a few days as this property is in another state. I'm guessing the part may be some sort of insulator that is no longer used or manufactured. It fits around the connection between the rod and pivot shoe.

Quick Learner from Baltimore

Jun 2, 2011 9:08 am

Okay. Here are photos of the part. As you can see it is in the track on the end of the bottom of the spiral rod, just about where the rod connects to the pivot shoe, and in the first photo, the pivot shoe has broken so that only the top of the pivot shoe is still connected to the end of the spiral rod.

The other photos show that it is actually two parts: the off-white rubber-like (gummy with age) piece and a white plastic cap that fits into it.

User submitted photo of buffer piece between pivot shoe and spiral balacne.

Paul from SWISCO

Jun 6, 2011 1:50 pm

The part you're referring to is a type of balance aligner (with a cap).

At this time we do not have a replacement listed online. However, we are currently in the process of locating possible replacement balance aligners and caps, and will post an update on the discussion board as soon as more information becomes available.