Pivot lock shoes and pivot bars work together in many tilt-window systems. The pivot bar extends from the lower corner of the sash and fits into the cam of the pivot lock shoe inside the jamb.

Before You Start

Tools and information you may need:

• Digital caliper, ruler, or tape measure
• Original pivot lock shoe
• Original pivot bar
• Paper or notes app for recording dimensions
• Phone or camera for reference photos
• Any visible part numbers, logos, or markings
• Photos showing where each part was installed

Important: Do not select a replacement based on one measurement alone. Pivot lock shoes with similar width and thickness may use different cams, balance connections, brake designs, or jamb profiles.

Pivot bars may also differ in tip shape, overall length, mounting-hole pattern, offset, and sash attachment style.

The pivot lock shoe travels vertically inside the jamb channel and connects the sash to the window-balance system. Its metal or plastic cam accepts the end of the pivot bar.

The pivot bar is normally attached to or inserted into the lower corner of the sash. When the sash tilts, the bar rotates inside the cam and causes the shoe to lock against the jamb.

A correct replacement combination must meet three requirements: the shoe must fit the jamb, the pivot bar must fit the sash, and the pivot-bar tip must fit the shoe cam.

Position the caliper across the widest part of the shoe body. Measure from one outer side to the other while keeping the caliper jaws square to the part.

1. Close the caliper and confirm that it reads zero.
2. Place the shoe flat on a stable surface.
3. Measure the body at its widest point.
4. Do not squeeze the plastic hard enough to distort it.
5. Record the measurement to at least two decimal places.

The example shoe shown measures approximately 1.26 inches wide.

Turn the shoe on its side and measure the thickness of the main body at its widest point.

Do not include the projecting cam housing, brake tabs, raised ribs, or other localized protrusions unless a product listing specifically requests that dimension.

1. Place the caliper jaws against the flat sides of the shoe body.
2. Keep the jaws parallel.
3. Measure the widest portion that must fit inside the jamb pocket.
4. Record any separate protruding dimensions in your notes.

The example shoe body measures approximately 0.63 inch thick.

Measure the opening in the cam where the end of the pivot bar is inserted.

1. Position the smaller caliper jaws inside the cam slot.
2. Open the jaws gently until they contact both sides.
3. Keep the caliper aligned with the slot.
4. Record the slot width.
5. Photograph the shape and orientation of the cam.

If the cam has a rectangular, cross-shaped, oval, stepped, or irregular opening, measure each relevant side rather than recording only one dimension.

The straight cam slot shown measures approximately 0.18 inch wide.

Width, thickness, and cam size are the primary dimensions, but other features may be equally important when several shoes are close in size.

Also document:

• Overall shoe height
• Cam shape, material, and color
• Position of the cam within the shoe
• Open- or closed-cam design
• Brake pads, tabs, wings, or locking features
• Balance attachment method
• Coil, spiral, or block-and-tackle application
• Any numbers, logos, or molded markings
• Original orientation inside the jamb

Measure the end of the pivot bar that enters the cam of the pivot lock shoe.

1. Place the caliper jaws across the narrow tip.
2. Measure the tip at the section that actually sits inside the cam.
3. Record its thickness and width separately when the tip is rectangular.
4. Measure every side of an irregular or stepped profile.
5. Photograph the tip from the end and side.

The pivot-bar tip should enter the cam without binding, while avoiding excessive looseness that could allow the sash to shift or disengage.

The example pivot-bar tip measures approximately 0.17 inch and fits the approximately 0.18-inch cam slot shown above.

Measure the pivot bar from its farthest end to its opposite end.

1. Lay the pivot bar flat.
2. Position the caliper jaws at the two longest points.
3. Keep the tool parallel with the pivot bar.
4. Record the full overall length.
5. Also record the distance from the sash mounting area to the cam-engaging tip.

The example pivot bar measures approximately 2.99 inches long.

Measure across the widest portion of the pivot-bar body or mounting plate.

1. Identify the widest section of the part.
2. Position the caliper perpendicular to the pivot bar.
3. Measure from one outer edge to the other.
4. Record narrower sections separately when their profile affects installation.

The widest portion of the example pivot bar measures approximately 1.18 inches.

The same overall measurements may appear on pivot bars that mount differently or position the cam-engaging tip at a different location.

Also document:

• Number of mounting holes
• Center-to-center mounting-hole spacing
• Distance from each hole to the nearest edge
• Hole diameter and screw-head style
• Flat, stepped, flared, round, or rectangular tip profile
• Offset between the mounting plate and tip
• Die-cast, stamped-steel, or other construction
• Left-hand, right-hand, or non-handed design
• Screw-in, slide-in, snap-in, or slot-mounted installation
• Any part numbers or manufacturer markings

A pivot bar that fits into a cam is not automatically the correct replacement. The complete combination must also fit the window.

Confirm that:

• The shoe width and thickness fit the jamb channel.
• The shoe connects to the correct balance type.
• The pivot-bar tip matches the cam opening and profile.
• The bar fits the original sash mounting location.
• The mounting holes align with the sash.
• The installed bar extends far enough to engage the cam.
• The bar can rotate the cam without binding.
• The sash remains securely supported when tilted.

Clear photographs can help distinguish parts that share similar measurements.

Include photos of:

• The front, back, side, and top of the pivot lock shoe
• A close-up of the cam opening
• The complete pivot bar from both sides
• A close-up of the pivot-bar tip
• The mounting holes and screw locations
• Any numbers, logos, or markings
• The jamb channel where the shoe was installed
• The lower sash corner where the pivot bar was mounted
• The shoe and bar positioned beside a ruler

• Measuring only the shoe width and ignoring its thickness
• Including the cam housing in the shoe-body thickness
• Failing to measure an irregular cam opening on multiple sides
• Measuring the wrong portion of the pivot-bar tip
• Recording only the pivot bar’s overall length
• Ignoring mounting-hole spacing and offset
• Assuming all pivot bars are non-handed
• Choosing a shoe solely by cam color
• Rounding measurements too aggressively
• Using a stretched or damaged tape measure for small dimensions
• Discarding the original parts before confirming the replacements
• Failing to photograph the parts while still installed

To identify a pivot lock shoe, measure the shoe width, body thickness, and cam opening while documenting its overall profile and balance connection.

For the pivot bar, measure the cam-engaging tip, overall length, body width, mounting-hole pattern, and offset. The replacement parts must fit the jamb, sash, and each other.