Tilting spiral balances use a spring-loaded spiral rod to support the sash in many tilt-in single-hung and double-hung windows. The lower end of each balance connects to a pivot lock shoe inside the jamb.

Before You Start

Clear the work area and prepare a padded, stable surface for the removed sash.

Tools you may need:

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Tilt spiral-balance tensioning tool
• Tape measure
• Safety glasses
• Cut-resistant work gloves
• Phone or camera for reference photos
• A second person for a large or heavy sash

Safety Warning: Spiral balances contain stored spring tension. Maintain control of the spiral rod whenever it is disconnected from the pivot lock shoe.

Do not allow the rod or tensioning tool to spin freely. Keep your face, hands, and surrounding glass clear of the rod’s path.

Spiral balances that look similar may differ in tube diameter, tube length, spring strength, rod-tip configuration, and window application.

Before ordering, record:

• The diameter of the metal balance tube
• The length of the metal tube only
• The color of the balance tip or bearing
• The shape of the spiral rod end and cross pin
• The pivot lock shoe style
• The upper mounting-hole position
• The original balance orientation
• The sash weight, when needed to confirm spring strength

Do not include the exposed spiral rod, colored bearing, mounting cap, or attachment hardware when measuring the metal tube length.

Tip color is an important identification clue, but colors are not necessarily interchangeable between different balance series.

Unlock the window and raise the sash approximately 3 to 4 inches before releasing the tilt latches.

1. Lift the sash evenly from the lower rail.
2. Stop several inches above the sill.
3. Make sure the sash is level before tilting it inward.

Raising the sash first helps reduce unnecessary pressure on the pivot bars at the lower corners of the sash.

1. Release both tilt latches near the upper corners of the sash.
2. Pull the top of the sash gently toward you.
3. Tilt the sash inward until it is nearly horizontal.
4. Support the sash with both hands.
5. Lift one corner slightly higher to release the first pivot bar.
6. Shift the sash carefully and release the opposite pivot bar.
7. Place the sash on a padded, stable surface.

Do not pull the sash straight outward while both pivot bars remain engaged in the pivot lock shoes.

Before moving the shoes or disconnecting the spiral rods, photograph both jambs and record the original positions.

Document:

• The installed height of each pivot lock shoe
• The direction of the balance tubes
• The upper mounting-screw locations
• The rod-tip and cross-pin configuration
• The shoe profile and cam orientation
• Whether both sides use matching balances

The lower end of each spiral rod is seated in a slot or connection point on the pivot lock shoe.

1. Attach the tilt-balance tensioning tool securely to the cross pin at the bottom of the spiral rod.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the tool.
3. Pull the rod downward slightly to clear the shoe connection.
4. Move the rod outward and away from the pivot lock shoe.
5. Keep control of the rod after it disengages.

Repeat the procedure on the opposite side while keeping both spiral rods under control.

Once the spiral rod is disconnected from the shoe, allow the stored tension to unwind slowly.

1. Keep the tensioning tool attached firmly to the rod.
2. Allow the tool to rotate one controlled turn at a time.
3. Continue until the spring tension has been released.
4. Guide the rod upward toward the balance tube.
5. Do not allow the tool or rod to spin freely.

1. Locate the mounting screw near the top of the first balance tube.
2. Support the tube while removing the screw.
3. Guide the balance out through its original jamb opening.
4. Avoid bending the exposed spiral rod.
5. Repeat on the opposite side.

Keep the original balances, screws, pivot shoes, and sash stops until the replacement hardware has been installed and tested successfully.

Inspect both pivot lock shoes while the sash and balances are removed.

Look for:

• Cracks or distorted plastic
• A worn or damaged metal cam
• A damaged spiral-rod slot
• Corrosion or debris
• A shoe that will not lock in the jamb
• Uneven wear between the two sides

Replace a damaged shoe before installing the new balances. On the system described in the original guide, the shoes are removed through the top of the jamb.

Other windows may use a factory access opening. Do not cut or pry the jamb unless the window design specifically provides a removal point.

Place each replacement beside the original before installation.

Confirm that the replacement has:

• The correct metal tube diameter
• The correct metal tube length
• The correct spring strength or tip color
• A matching rod-tip and cross-pin configuration
• The correct upper mounting arrangement
• Compatibility with the existing pivot lock shoe
• The correct tilt-window application

1. Position the first replacement balance in the same orientation as the original.
2. Align the upper mounting hole with the original screw location.
3. Install and tighten the mounting screw securely.
4. Do not overtighten the screw in vinyl or weakened material.
5. Repeat on the opposite side.

Confirm that both balance tubes are seated at matching heights and that the spiral rods remain straight and unobstructed.

1. Push the spiral rod upward into the balance tube as far as it will go.
2. Attach the tensioning tool securely to the rod’s cross pin.
3. Pull the spiral rod downward far enough to reach the pivot lock shoe.
4. Rotate the tool clockwise to apply tension.
5. Apply the same number of turns to the left and right balances.
6. Insert the rod tip securely into the slot on the pivot lock shoe.
7. Release the tensioning tool slowly while confirming that the rod remains engaged.

Position the left and right pivot lock shoes at approximately the same height before reinstalling the sash.

1. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the shoe cam.
2. Maintain control while rotating the cam to unlock the shoe.
3. Move the shoe to the required position.
4. Rotate the cam back into the locked position.
5. Repeat on the opposite side.

One shoe may be positioned slightly higher temporarily to make seating the sash pivot bars easier.

1. Hold the sash nearly horizontal.
2. Insert the first pivot bar into its pivot lock shoe.
3. Angle the sash slightly and insert the opposite pivot bar.
4. Confirm that both pivot bars are fully seated.
5. Level the sash.
6. Tilt the sash upward into the frame.
7. Press it closed until both tilt latches engage.

Do not force the sash into place. Recheck the shoe positions and pivot-bar engagement if either side will not seat correctly.

Install or reinstall the sash stops near the upper portion of the window.

Sash stops limit upward travel and help prevent the spiral rods from being pulled beyond their intended operating range.

Missing or incorrectly positioned stops can allow overextension and may permanently damage the balances, pivot shoes, or attachment hardware.

Raise and lower the sash several times after completing the installation.

Confirm that the sash:

• Moves smoothly and evenly
• Remains open at several positions
• Does not drift downward
• Does not rise by itself
• Does not bind in the jamb
• Closes completely
• Locks correctly

If the sash drifts downward, add a small and equal amount of clockwise tension to both balances.

If the sash rises by itself or is unusually difficult to close, remove a small and equal amount of tension from both balances.

Make adjustments one turn at a time and test the window after each change.

• Cracked or distorted pivot lock shoes
• Worn or damaged shoe cams
• Bent, loose, or broken pivot bars
• Bent or damaged spiral rods
• Loose upper mounting screws
• Cracked sash corners
• Damaged jamb tracks
• Missing or broken sash stops
• Uneven wear between the left and right sides

• Tilting the sash without raising it first
• Allowing the sash to hang from one pivot bar
• Disconnecting the spiral rod without the proper tool
• Allowing the tensioning tool or rod to spin freely
• Removing the upper mounting screw before releasing the spring tension
• Ordering replacements based only on tube length
• Measuring the exposed rod as part of the tube length
• Ignoring differences in tube diameter or rod-tip style
• Applying different tension to the left and right balances
• Applying excessive tension before testing the sash
• Failing to seat the spiral rod fully in the pivot shoe
• Operating the window without the required sash stops
• Discarding the original hardware before testing the replacements

Watch the video below for a visual demonstration of removing, tensioning, and installing spiral balances in a tilt window.

Replacing tilting spiral balances requires safely removing the sash, controlling and unwinding the spiral rods, inspecting the pivot lock shoes, and matching the replacement balances carefully.

Apply equal tension to both sides, confirm that each rod is securely connected to its shoe, reinstall the sash stops, and make small adjustments until the sash operates smoothly.