How to Change Anderson Window Balancers

Removing Balancers

• 1

  Lift the bottom sash from the Andersen window 3 to 5 inches from the lower sill. Unlock the window sash and tilt its top so it leans into the room at 90 degrees.

• 2

  Grasp the lower sash in one hand. Slide the tip of the screwdriver into the clip and press it inward. Slowly raise the sash above it as you do this. This clip is where the sash is connected to the frame. Also repeat this process for the other side of the window. Pull the loose sash out from the window.

• 3

  Lower the top sash until its lower end is 3 to 5 inches from the sill. Release the upper edge of this sash from the window frame using locking tabs.

• 4

  Grasp the upper sash while using the screwdriver to lift it from the shoe retainer. Repeat this process for the other side before pulling the sash out of the frame.

• 5

  Look for the shoe cams within the jamb liners, along the front and back channels on both sides of the frame. Unlock each show cam by turning it in the clockwise direction.

• 6

  Hold the jamb liner near the window sill. Press inward along the back edge of this rear channel to separate it from the frame. Continue doing this upward along the window until you remove the entire liner from one side. Repeat the process for the opposite side of the window.

• 7

  Pull out the lower sash balancer from the liner’s front channel. Also remove the foam from the back channel and pull out the upper sash balancer. Unhook the shoe cam from the sash balancer tab.

Replacing Balancers

• 8

  Hook the cam to the lower edge of the sash balancer. Slide in the balancer into the jamb liner’s channel. Place the foam back on over the rear channel.

• 9

  Align the notch on the liner to the window frame notch. Set the outer edges of the liner in the window frame, pushing inward from the center, until locked in place.

• 10

  Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the shoe cam along the front channel for the window’s lower sash, and push it down until it falls 3 inches from the sill. Rotate the shoe cam in the counterclockwise direction to lock it in place. Repeat the process for the cam on the other side of the front channel. Also repeat the process for the back channel cams, setting them 5 inches from the window sill.

• 11

  Align the lower edge of the top sash into the shoe clips within the frame to lock the sash in place. Turn the upper part of the shaft to set it in the frame. Repeat the process for the lower sash.