Hood Furler overhaul

[bmajvi]

The 30 year old Hood Seafurl2 on our boat spit its lower bearings all over the deck, luckily just as we got the jib rolled up. I purchased the replacement stainless bearings and races from Hood/Pompanette, and now need to start planning the disassembly and replacement . Any general words of wisdom?

Do you think it would be a lot easier if I dropped the whole Headstay/foil? I'm thinking gentle applications of heat, ice, PB Blaster and impact driver for any reluctant fasteners...sound right?

Assuming I get everything disassembled, what's the best way to keep the bearings in the races during assembly? I was thinking something like white grease, and then washing it out by spraying WD-40 in there once it's all put together (the original literature specifically suggests WD-40 as the preferred lubricant, and Pompanette said it still holds true).

If this doesn't work I'll be facing purchase of a new furler for an old boat :-( BTW, the boat is in the Exumas in the Bahamas, so there's no rigger in the neighborhood. Thanks for any help, suggestions or guidance!

[Don Z.]

OK, so I'm answering out of real world ignorance. That is to say, I read a book once...

Personally, I'd start with the PB Blaster. Maybe a day or two before I started the project. But I'm basing that on experience with other things, not Hood furlers.

Instead of white lithium grease to hold in the balls, I'd give it a go with shaving cream first. I know that will rinse out easily. And even if that doesn't work, Barbasol is cheap.

Just some random thoughts. Hope this helps.

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
I'm with Don on the shaving cream option. Works a charm. Are these all steel ball bearings? If so, Zero is a much better lubricant. If not, use One-Drop.
I hope you do not drop the foil, but I would definitely recommend lowering it to do the work, assuming you can set up a good temporary stay; halyards taken forward do not count.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[bmajvi]

Thanks for the shaving cream tip, that sounds like a better idea.