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!