Window latch and channel balance guide

Quick Learner from TN

May 1, 2020 2:27 pm

Need a latch as you can see this is broken and probably the channel balance guide in the track as it seems stuck. If I open it's really hard to close without taking the window out and pushing the guide down. If I am able to get the window out, remove the channel guide/balance assembly, will I be able to replace the window and lock so it isn't open? Trying to find alternatives to replacing the whole window if possible. The label is not from the exact window but I assume they are all the same since they were installed in the house when built 20 years ago.

3 user uploaded images

8 Replies

Tom from SWISCO

May 5, 2020 11:10 am

You definitely don't need a whole window. We should be able to help with the parts in question. Start with our 26-243 and 26-244 tilt latch. These look similar to yours, but I recommend removing an undamaged version of your latch to use as a reference. You can then look over the dimensions we show for these latches to confirm if they line up.

I don't know what the balance guide might be. It could be a pivot shoe, but I'd have to see it to be sure.

Tom from SWISCO

May 5, 2020 12:32 pm

That sounds like the channel balance, which means the guide you mentioned is definitely a pivot shoe. You should be able to remove the sash and put it back in safely. In fact, I may even know what you have, but I don't want to guess just yet. It's more of a sixth sense kind of thing. I recommend watching the video below for general instructions that you may find helpful.

Quick Learner from TN

May 5, 2020 12:34 pm

Thanks Tom, I will try to get more pictures but maybe a little more detail will help... is the channel with cords on the side one assembly? It seems the cords are in a bind when shutting the window. At the top it's a metal track cover and held with a screw. I assume if I get the window out I can take that out. I've held out on doing that so I don't end up not being able to get the window back in. If that assembly comes out and I can get the window back in, I'll be glad to take a picture or get any numbers off of it.

Tom from SWISCO

May 13, 2020 12:26 pm

Thank you! I'm very confident that your balance is our Series 770, which means your pivot shoe will be a match for our 15-129. Look these parts over and see what you think.

We don't sell balance covers, unfortunately. As for the weatherstripping, I won't be able to ID it from that. I will need to see the end profile of an undamaged sample. It's important that we see its shape, which means it has to be undamaged. If anything is torn off or deteriorated away, we won't have enough to use as a reference.

Quick Learner from TN

May 13, 2020 12:27 pm

Ok a little confidence, the video, and parts out. Here are some pics. The guide seems ok but the pívot shoes have seen better days. I'll need a right and left one. Also the weatherstrip still the bottom. Do they make a white channel balance cover too? Downstairs has them but upstairs do not.

4 user uploaded images

Quick Learner from TN

May 13, 2020 3:35 pm

I'm not an artist but tried to get measurements on this piece. Please reference my elementary sketch and let me know your thoughts.

1 user uploaded image

Tom from SWISCO

May 14, 2020 7:09 am

This sketch is perfectly sufficient, don't worry. Based on these dimensions, I think our 15-167 pivot shoe would be a closer match than the one I recommended previously.