Facnor SD130 roller-reefing: Rebuildable?

[BobnLesley]

The operation of our SD130 unit has suddenly gone 'knotchy' and whilst I've not pulled it apart I'm suspecting that the bearings in the bottom drum are collapsing; that seems to be the problem end and there also appears to be a lot of play between the drum and central hub.
A prompt emailed response from Facnor advises that replacement units are no longer available, only one from a more recent model, with some sort of sleeving added to suit the SD130; I'm sure that it'd do the job, but at over £900, I don't feel it's worth the investment, I might just as well put that amount towards the purchase of a brand new replacement.
However, before going down that road, I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's attempted to rebuild one; If necessary I will pull my own one apart, but as it is still working, I'd prefer not to do so and risk knackering it completely until I've some indication of such action being a success.

 

[IanR]

The answer is yes but with care.

I have rebuilt mine on the last boat, I removed the circlips which were mild steel and almost fell apart and replaced them with stainless, I replaced the ball bearings with stainless and later delrin bearings. I even with a friend got the drum flanges remade in aluminium.

All parts available from the web, just learned from practice and circlip pliers as well as taking it slow

Cheers
Ian

 

[BobnLesley]

Thanks Ian, I'll wait until I'm somewhere better for sourcing parts (Sint Maarten?) or a replacement before taking it apart, but it's reassuring to know that there's a possibility of effecting a rebuild.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

I've just had a go at mine that had become very stiff.

It is quite possible to rebuild the top swivel which is completely unsealed and open to the elments. The grease gets gooey with time, I think. They now work just fine.
The lower drum however is another matter. I've got the top plate off but the lower casting that carries the chrome rope guides has me defeated. There is a grub screw holding it in place on the main shaft but the key will break before it moves. May have to drill it out.
The stiffness problem feels like old grease again but is not helpd by the fact that this part incorporates standard type oilseals. Problem is they're fitted into an aluminium casting which has predictably corroded and the expanding volume of white powder had crushed them onto the shaft which I suspect is causing friction. Their circumference is more like a 50p piece than circular!
I don't doubt that if a way was found to get the unit apart it could be repairable, but that would involve renewing oilseals in apertures corroded by a couple of millimetres so they'd have to be built up somehow and I wonder what state the bearing seats would be in with the inevitable corrosion there too. Whether it is all worth the effort I don't know, I elected for a new system but will have a go at reviving the lower drums in due course.
If it works I'll have a complete SD 130 and SD180 for sale, but if not there'll be a lot of bits useful to someone!

Anyone with info on how to get the drum apart please post here!