How To Fix A Broken Car Window

Updated: Aug. 27, 2019

Complete instructions for how to repair a cleaved double-hung window.

FH00DJA_YCFIDW_03-2 Family Handyman

Repair a broken double-hung window by repairing the jamb liner. This is a DIY repair that yous can do once you have the correct parts and these complete, step-by-step instructions with photos to guide you through the unabridged process.

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Fixing a cleaved window counterbalance on a double-hung window

Photograph 1: Remove the sash

Remove the window sash from the vinyl track. The sash has to be low and level before yous lift the first side out of the jamb liner.

Close-up of Photo one

The trivial metallic cam on the bottom corner of your sash volition brake the locking terminal that's under tension inside the rails

Photo 2: Release the pawl

Start by employing a safe stride: Release the tension on the undamaged sash residual. Insert a screwdriver on the locking terminal and twist clockwise to release the pawl. Caryatid yourself—there will be immediate upward tension.

Photo 3: Raise the locking final

Slowly raise the locking terminal and let it rest at the bottom of the balance cartridge.

Photo four: Remove the jamb liner

Remove this blazon of vinyl jamb liner by working a potent putty knife between the window end and the track. Grab the vinyl border with one hand, then pry the knife outward to release the jamb liner and avert damaging the woods stop.

Photograph v: Slide out the bad cartridge

Study the jamb liner components and how they're put together. Determine which is the summit end of the jamb liner and which is the sill end (the angled cutting). Remove the foam cap at the top, release the S-clip and slide out the bedridden balance cartridge. Remember which residual cartridge came from which channel of the vinyl jamb liner. The cartridge with the shorter S-prune is always installed on the exterior side of the window.

Photo 6: Replace a cleaved locking terminal

CAUTION! Parts under tension. Article of clothing safety spectacles for this stride. To install a new locking final (the place where the nylon cord is properly strung in the pulley system), start past firmly clamping the residue cartridge to a workbench. Pull out 6 to 8 in. of cord, position a locking pliers at the bottom of the cartridge, clamp the string stop—to resist leap tension—then thread the cord through a new locking final. Tie a knot on the end of the cord, take hold of the terminal, release the pliers and slowly retract the locking terminal to the bottom of the cartridge.

Photo 7: Reassemble the balance

Position the locking terminal at the stop of the cartridge so the pawl is facing up and toward what is the room side of the window opening. Slide the cartridge down the center of the aqueduct in the vinyl jamb liner and hook the South-clip over the acme of the runway. Replace the foam cap and reinstall the vinyl unit into the window opening.

Imagine this: You're taking ane of your wood double-hung window sashes out of its frame when all of a sudden and violently, the spring-loaded balance releases and snaps up into the vinyl jamb liner. The kickoff time this happens, you lot stand there in shock. Then you notice broken plastic parts on the floor and that there'due south no longer whatsoever tensioning forcefulness to concord the sash open subsequently you put the sash back into the window jamb liner (or track). You must decide if yous'd prefer to let a pro handle this repair. If so, search online or expect in the Yellow Pages nether "Windows, Repairs." Search for outfits specializing in a range of window repair work, and avoid the listed hardware stores that may but supplant broken drinking glass. If you set up this yourself, choose one of the following three repair options (depending on the harm you identify and/or your skill level):

Supersede the whole vinyl jamb liner unit (Photos 1 – four)—including both balance cartridges. This is the simplest but most costly approach. If you're a start do-it- yourselfer, go this road.
Supervene upon only the remainder cartridge that was broken (Photos one – 5 and 7). This cheap repair is for intermediate skill workers.
Take apart the bedridden rest cartridge, replace the broken locking terminal and (sometimes) restring the caster machinery (Photos i – 7 and Fig. A). Tackle this only if y'all're a highly experienced practise-information technology-yourselfer.

First, get the repair parts. (Note: The parts and the repair techniques are different for wood windows and all-vinyl windows.) Double-hung wood window hardware may vary by brand. To make sure you get the right parts, first refer to any product literature you may accept. And then order repair parts from the manufacturer through the dealer where you bought your window. If the original part sources are unknown, you can buy generic parts over the Internet. If yous're going to buy either the unabridged vinyl runway unit or just the damaged balance cartridge, copy the number stamped on the cartridge'due south face up (inset, Fig. B). This number is the drinking glass size code for your window; a parts retailer tin't make full your order without it.

Whichever repair option y'all choose, if it'south a wood double-hung window, you must starting time remove the vinyl jamb liner unit from the window frame.

Note:

Our window was a manufacturing plant-made unit, not an older window retrofitted with vinyl tracks.
Each type of window has a different method for jamb liner installation.
Our jamb liner came out of the left paw side of the window opening. For right-hand side jamb liners, reverse any instructions calling for turning a screwdriver clockwise or counterclockwise.

Deport out the steps relevant to your repair in Photos 1 – seven.

When the repair is consummate, reinstall the vinyl track in the window frame. Reset the tension on the sash residuum by reversing the earlier steps. Release the locking terminal's pawl, lower the concluding downwardly to a indicate about 10 in. from the windowsill and twist your screwdriver counterclockwise to lock the terminal in the vinyl jamb. Carefully install your window sash by positioning one cam, then the other, onto the superlative of each locking last. Side by side, level the tipped sash, and so heighten the sash meridian and snap information technology back into the vinyl jamb liners.

Finally, lower the installed sash, and the braking pawls on each side of the sash volition be released. Now that the window sash is under spring tension, return information technology to a fully closed position.

Window Remainder Repair Figure A: Anatomy of a Window Residual

Our window uses a "cake-and-tackle" residuum. Each window has 4 balances, two per jamb liner. If the locking terminal is broken, the cord in one block-and tackle mechanism may have snarled. To restring the caster system, utilise a pliers to grab the top of the tensioning jump and disassemble it from the belongings pin. In one case the pulleys are restrung, run some cord out the bottom of the balance, clamp it with a locking pliers and reconnect the caster block to the spring. Insert the holding pivot and install a new locking terminal (Photograph half dozen).

Window Balance Repair Figure B: Glass Size Code

Record the glass size code stamped on the balance cartridge. If you lot supercede the whole cartridge, you'll demand this code to society parts. Annotation the position of both the locking terminal and the braking pawl before the unit is installed in the jamb liner (Photograph 7).

Required Tools for this sash window repair projection

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined upward before you commencement—you'll save time and frustration.

Originally Published: August 27, 2019

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