epoxyboy
05-28-2008, 03:20 AM
Just had an interesting experience with one of these. It is mated up with an ancient Wykeham-Martin furler on my Pathfinder, and it all worked beautifully the first time out. Last weekend though, the swivel refused to do its thing when under any load.
I pulled it off the boat a few nights ago, and it felt like all the ball bearings had gone square. These things are not serviceable - there is a brazed on collar which holds it all together, but my Dad suggested giving it a bath in kerosine. Lo and behold, lots of little crystals came out (definitely not salt, it has never been wet). It looks like there may have been a load of brazing flux left behind inside. Anyway, after the bath and a few drops of lube it seems to be fine - time will tell. Bloody annoying when the antique furler works fine, and the brand new swivel falls over!
Pete
I pulled it off the boat a few nights ago, and it felt like all the ball bearings had gone square. These things are not serviceable - there is a brazed on collar which holds it all together, but my Dad suggested giving it a bath in kerosine. Lo and behold, lots of little crystals came out (definitely not salt, it has never been wet). It looks like there may have been a load of brazing flux left behind inside. Anyway, after the bath and a few drops of lube it seems to be fine - time will tell. Bloody annoying when the antique furler works fine, and the brand new swivel falls over!
Pete