window falls down and will not stay up

A home owner from MA says:
We have a vinyl replacement window (over 15 years old) where both the top and bottom sashes do not stay up in place (they drop down). Home Depot thinks they are called Red Top series 600 spiral balance pivot shoes that are a half inch thick, do agree? We are looking for replacement part(s).
User submitted photos of a pivot shoe.
Profile picture of Paul
Paul from SWISCO responded:
Based on what you describe, it definitely sounds like the balances are the issue. The Series 600 is a good place to start. I suggest that you confirm that the outer tube diameter is 5/8" or 9/16". If it is, then that's definitely what we recommend.

Keep in mind that right now you have a cover in the jamb track that conceals most of the balance. This is not the tube I'm referring to. You should remove the balance from the window to get the most accurate measurement.

Alternatively, your balance may just need to be charged a few times. You can wind up spiral balances, sort of like a clock, to give them more tension. See the guide below for instructions how.Now let's look at the pivot shoe. Yours definitely needs to be replaced. I think you have an older model of our 15-046, but you should carefully compare our measurements to yours to confirm. This would require you removing one of the shoes. See the two videos below on help removing these.
How to replace a tilt window spiral balance.
How to replace a tilt window spiral balance.
VIDEO
WATCH >
How to Remove a Pivot Shoe (Cutout Method)
How to Remove a Pivot Shoe (Cutout Method)
VIDEO
WATCH >
Swisco's 15-046 Pivot Lock Shoe
Swisco's 15-046 Pivot Lock Shoe
VIDEO
WATCH >
How to remove window pivot shoes
How to remove window pivot shoes
VIDEO
WATCH >
Anatomy of a tilt window
Anatomy of a tilt window
VIDEO
WATCH >
Removing Rusted Pivot Bars
Removing Rusted Pivot Bars
VIDEO
WATCH >
How to Identify a Replacement Spiral Balance
How to Identify a Replacement Spiral Balance
VIDEO
WATCH >
How to adjust a spiral balance on a tilt window
How to adjust a spiral balance on a tilt window
GUIDE
READ >
How to choose the proper spiral balance tip color
How to choose the proper spiral balance tip color
GUIDE
READ >
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