Hi,

I have a few vinyl windows that won't stay open because there is a broken plastic piece that should be holding a metal piece where the rope connects. I need to replace these plastic and metal pieces and reconnect the string. I have no idea what make the windows are - they seem very generic. Anyone know where I can buy replacement parts and if I can repair the windows myself? I also have another window which sounds like the spring is ready to pop. Thanks,

Bob

 

first off you need to know the brand of window, places to look... Lock, inside jamb of window, or even the balancer itself may have the brand name of the window. ( balancer is the metal and string you are talking about that keeps the window open ) Find the brand name and first go to a hardware store to find matching pieces, Take broken parts with you to match them. if you can't find them there, a glass shop is in order.

 

Thank you,

There is nothing on the window or locks, but the balancer does say - 22B B.S.I. km. Does this help? Thanks.

 

well... By having that balancer in hand it will narrow down window type.
another way to handle this is to get an estimate from a glass Co. Most do it for free, then you can find out brand ect, from the estimator

 

Thanks. Last question - how do I get these parts out of the window? I know that you may not be able to answer that without seeing it so if you can't no worries. Thanks again for your help

 

on the inside face of the window jambs there should be a metal or plastic clip that you can pull the bottom part out a little bit. open the window PAST this point and the balancer should catch on them. while still pushing up also push to the left or the right shoving the window into the jamb, this should give you clearance to pull one side of the window out. Remove the window. From there you will be able to see everything and how easy it is to replace.

Bare with me, I just had surgery Friday and I'm a bit groggy from my meds.
If this doesn't make since I'll try to explain more clearly.

 

Thanks Glasman2,

I can get the window out no problem. But the metal and plastic piece in the track that needs to be replaced is another story. I can see the balander and where the cord has gone up into it. I can also see the broken metal clip and plastic piece that together should be holding the cord but are broken. But they are pretty snug in the track. I hope this makes sense and I hope that you are feeling better. Thanks

 

Sorry, at a lose, I can't see it. Wish I could be more of a help to ya.

I'll ponder this tonight and maybe it will come to me, but right now, meds are stronger than my brain can transmit.

 

Parts are available at most hardware stores & glass shops. The manufacturer is not important since most of these parts are generic. This website explains how to do it. http://www.piersons.com/windowinstall.php

 

Thank you.

 

LOL thanks Johnam, for that website. When I brought it up I knew it was the top 1 he was talking about.murphy it is important that you get the same size and strength ( stamped on the piece you remove )

 

Thanks again, and I know that I am being a royal pain, but I now am able to get out the balancer (thank you), but I still need to replace the plastic/metal piece at the bottom of the track that the cord and metal piece at the tip of the cord connect to. I can't see a way to get that out without somehoe taking apart the window. If I was going to live here for more than a few years, I would just have new ones with a warranty installed.

 

on wording...... if the balancer is out of the jamb of the window frame and in your hand, thats means you found out that the end of the cord ( on the balancer ) was just a metal hook that hooked at the top of the window frame jamb. The only other piece left would be a plastic piece that is on the side of the window ( that you removed to get to the balancer ) this is held in place with 1 ( sometimes 2 ) screws. Remove the screw ( all the way out ) and pull on this plastic guide. Rare cases a dab of silicone is under it ( don't ask why, it doesn't need it ) The only thing this plastic guide does is stop the balancer at a certain hight so you can remove the window.


Do you have MSN messenger? or does this site have a chat area? Maybe if I wasn't medicated so much I would be able to understand, and maybe if we chatted I can get exactly what you mean.

 

Thanks Glasman2,

I do have msn messenger and I wish I could find my battery charger and take a picture with a digital camera. Basically there is a balancer (when I take it out and turn it around there is a large spring and a cord mechanism that attaches to a little metal loop). That loop attaches to a metal piece inside of a plastic piece that holds the bottom of the window in place. This piece also allows me to open the window and tilt the window in for cleaning. Basically there is a metal part in the middle of the plastic part that allows this, but if the plastic part is broken... which it is, if can't hold the metal part in place and therefore can't hold the cord with the metal loop at the end and the damn thing just falls down and doesn't stay up. That metal/plastic piece is in the track of the window and I can't get it out. I need to replace that piece and then reconnnect the balancer do hickey with the loop and then everything should work beautifully. Please bear in mind that I don't know any terminology and am sure that I am making this much more complicated than it is. Thanks

 

That piece is called a locking shoe. There should be a plastic stop (about 3" -6") at the top of the track. Remove that and hopefully there should be a notch in the track behind that that will allow that shoe to be removed when it is slid up. Are we getting closer to sloving your problem?

 

Thanks Johnam,

Unfortunately there is no notch at the top. The track is uniform all the way up even after removing the plastic stop. I just can't see any way to get the locking shoe out and even if I were able to break it some more and get it out, I don't think I would be able to jam another one in there. It's pretty snug. Let me know if I'm out of luck. Thanks again.

 

If you look at the track, it has a lip at the L & R. With a utility knife, you must cut those lips off starting 3/4" down from the top. The height of the cut should be the same height as the shoe.

 

Ok, That should do it hopefully, I will then need to find a place to buy the broken parts. Thanks.

 

Thanks again for everything. I ended up taking a picture of the lock shoe and e-mailed to a company called Swisco and was able to order the parts from them online. Hope your feeling better glasman. Peace