80's Aluminium Windows don't stay up.. How do I fix them?

pierre · Sep 20, 2007 3:03 pm

HELP !! We had this house built in the early 80's and they put in Wunderlich Sash Aluminium windows and they don't hold up any more.
I know.. age catches us all...
I need to know how to fix them so they stay up without using a stick under the window.. (difficult to choose just the right size for the day.. get's very frustrating for the Boss)

The photo is of the inside of the window slide above the bottom window. The tube I think is important.. but I'm not sure of the inside setup so am reticent to start pulling things apart until I get good advice...

Thanks and regards..

Peter G. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Ed Perry · Sep 23, 2007 10:03 am

Hello Peter,

Saw your post a while ago but I was waiting for someone with more knowledge of double hungs than me to answer.

The item you need to replace is the plastic tube on each side. It contains a spring which has broken. This is the sash balance. Sash balances are made to suit a length and weight of the sash. They usually attach at one end with a screw and the other a clip. They are adjustabale within a small range by twisting one end.

Wunderlich is a Boral (Dowell) brand, you can try them for help. Otherwise all I can find is a Western Australia outfit who quote $110 per sash.

http://www.sashwindows.com.au/heritage_price.html

Maybe they can supply what you need and tell you how to fit it.

Ed

commodorenut · Sep 23, 2007 5:18 pm

What timing!

I have 4 of these windows along the front of the house in the bedrooms above the garage. They all worked great until yesterday when I lifted one & it went 'crack' and fell down.

Upon closer inspection it has the same black tube in the sides, but I think it's actually broken the cord/rope, as the other side still moves in the roller, but the broken side has completely disappeared.

Is it possible that they spring is OK, just the cord has broken, and if so, do you have any tips on dismantling them?

Ed Perry · Sep 23, 2007 5:48 pm

Hi

If it's the same, there won't be a cord, just a spring. They break often - we don't use this system as it is risky if it fails, on the other hand it is fairly cheap to replace.

I would try Alspec or Lincoln Sentry for replacements (number on internet or in the book). Take you old one as a guide.

Ed

Yak_Chat · Sep 23, 2007 10:47 pm

CDn - if you have a cord - sometime there is a pipe / weight on the other side of the pulley that balances the window. So it can be bit major to fix the broken - sash cord and retrieve the weight.
Steve

pierre · Sep 24, 2007 12:25 pm

Thanks for the assist.. I'll track some down... fingers crossed it won't cost an arm and a leg.. I'll let you know how it goes..