Balancer Replacement (Two Spring Type)
One of the most important procedures to remember about a two spring Whiting balancer is that it is worked on with the door open. In order to remove this style balancer assembly proceed as follows:
- Open door.
- Push door back into horizontal track so that bottom panel is approx. 16" from header. Two people will be needed for this.
- Securely place a clamp in each track, just below the bottom roller. As a point of safety, make certain that clamps are tight on tracks.
- Determine what type of installation you have, either a standard or a recessed header. In a standard header the balancer is clearly visible. The header will measure at least 6", whereas in a recessed header the balancer is somewhat concealed, rather difficult to work on and header measures approx. 5".
- Place a 3/8" x 12" bar into one of the winding cones located near center of balancer shaft.
- Using a 1/2" wrench, remove both nuts which hold the clamp onto the center balancer bracket.
- While holding spring tension on bar with one hand, remove clamp. Note, with a standard header, spring tension will be in the direction to cause bar to go up. With a shallow header, tension will cause bar to go down.
- With another bar, walk tension off of springs by either using alternate winding cones, or the same cone. Another method would be to use just one bar and on open end wrench on squared portion of balancer shaft.
- Once all tension has been removed, unhook both cables from cable drums and remove cotter pin nearest to end of balancer shaft.
- Shift balancer to the side and withdraw from bracket. If sufficient travel is not possible, loosen set screws from spring assembly, slide spring towards center and then withdraw.
In order to replace this style balancer, proceed as follows:
- Remove both cables from door and install onto cable drums. Make certain that the cable follows the grooves as it is possible to install them backwards! Wind cable onto drum leaving approx. 12" of cable out. Secure cable by winding 4 or 5 layers of masking tape on cable as it leaves drum.
- Install a cotter pin in balancer shaft hole farthest from end. Remember to set the cotter pin properly. If not, it could interfere with drum rotation.
- Install shaft into brackets. In standard header, red end goes on roadside. In shallow header, red end goes to the curbside.
- Install and set cotter pin closest to end of shaft.
- Connect cables to door.
- Begin winding balancer by inserting bar into winding cone and pulling down for standard installation, or by pushing up in a recessed header.
- Start counting turns as soon as the cone rotates. 3 1/2 to 4 turns would be correct.
- After the correct turns have been applied, insert center clamp over the bracket and tighten both nuts securely.
- Carefully remove both clamps in the tracks.
- Lower door and test it. A properly balanced door should not fly open, nor fall closed.
