I live in North Texas and my house was built in 1985 and I have a problem with one of my windows opening and closing. The window will not stay up when opened and here is what I have seen with the window. On the side of each window is a small tube and inside of this tube is a spiral piece of metal and this is suppose to help open and close the window. The problem I see is that when the window is open the spiral piece is extending all the way down to the sill on both sides. Every other window in my house does not do this so something inside this tube where this spiral metal piece resides either has come unhooked or broke. I am very handy with tools but I am not sure how to fix the window or if I have to replace it, can someone explain what this spiral piece is and how I can fix or replace this, any help will be greatly appreciated?
Thanks,
Mike Francis
Replies
Toolfreak,
Very nice and clear post. I can't help you, but I will bet someone here can. One suggestion, post the maker of the window. I will bet people will need to know.
bump
If I remember right, those archimedes rails need to be attached to the lower edge of the sash. Raise it up and look for a small detent or divot that when you push up the spiral doo dad it can connect. do both sides, it might need a brass tack or something to hold it in place.
the previous poster is correct, but you have to put a number of turns on the spiral, to pre load it, before you re-attach it...unfortunately, I don't know how many turns....
The spiral thingees are called 'balancers'. I think Depot sells spiral balancer tightening tools. Google spiral balancer tightening and there's all kind of info.....View Image
You say that the spiral metal part of the balance is visible down to the sill.I guess all manufacturers are a bit different,but usually the spiral hooks into a plastic block called a "shoe".Usually,the shoe fills the width of the track it rides up and down on,leaving no space for the spiral part of the balance to extend all the way to the sill. There are pins located at the bottom of the sash on each side which extend into an opening on the shoe. Sometimes if the pins slip out of the shoes,the sash will move up and down in it's track without being connected to the balance and won't stay open.Check to make sure that the pins are not broken off ,or sometimes they are held in place by a set screw that has loosened up and allowed the pin to migrate out of the shoe.That's the only way I can think of you being able to see the balance going all the way to the sill.