Window Balancers Failing Often

Question

The springs on my coil balancers are breaking about every 6 months or less. The windows are from Hurd and no longer manufactured.The original shoe ears break off often. The spring bends and breaks where the 2 springs join. The spring mounts on the rotating shaft with a rubber gasket. The shaft turns with difficulty and the gasket breaks off.I noticed that my contractor had a support and shoe that you carry and had him install it on one of the windows. See below. The window works easier than the other windows with the style above.

User submitted photos of window hardware.

Paul · Accepted Answer

Your balances should definitely be lasting longer than just 6 months. It sounds like the springs you have area not the proper strength for the weight of the sash. Before we go over that, though, let's look at the Series.

Do you think you can use our Series 140 coil spring assembly? This comes with everything together in one kit. Look over the dimensions to make sure it can fit in your jamb track. Also keep in mind you may also need to replace the pivot bar with our 26-398 or 26-405; your old pivot bar may not work with the new shoe.

If this can work, you will need the weight of the sash. For this particular Series, you would divide the weight in half to determine the best option. For example, if your sash were 26 pounds, you would want the S140-13. One on each side will support the sash weight.

Let me know what you think!