Gonna try that again from EAsloop

EASLOOP

EASLOOP

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It goes something like this. My bow roller is the galvanized type. It has two rollers, one smooth for rope and the other 'sculpted' to allow the chain to sit comfortably. On the chain side there is a 'claw or rachet' that drops onto the chain to prevent it from rolling out and that lifts up when the chain is being hauled in. Well, this 'rachet' or 'paul?' is seized solid and I would like to free it up. I have sprayed it with WD40, hit it with a hammer, swore at it, carressed it and screamed bl**dy murder at it. But it will not shift.
If you have experience of this please let me in on the secret to getting mine freed up.
Thanks
 
Pawl.
Plumbers blow torch..would damage the galvanising (and maybe your health with the fumes) so....have you tried tapping it sideways on its pivot?Use a lump of metal as a 'drift' and smack it as close to the pivot as possible else you will just be bending it..If you are really good,have someone apply a rotary force via a pair of molegrips clamped to the pawl whilst simultaneously whacking it sideways..Consider drilling a hole in the pawl and fitting a grease nipple(the same hole can initially be used to get penetrating oil to the seized central area of the pivot and left overnight )
 
Had a similar problem. The only answer was good clean violence. Is there a bolt though the unit holding the rollers? There is on mine. I managed to get the nut off the bolt and drove the bolt back through the fitting with a similar sized steel bolt and a maul. It was then a case of knocking out the roller, cleaning it up and refitting with a new bolt.
 
Not only 'pawl' but 'ratchet'

If this has seized because the galvanising has gone and it has started to rust then some phosphoric acid based rust remover might do the trick but only after all else has failed as it will attack the galvanising as well. Oil and grease already tried will have to be cleaned off first but it might be possible to protect the surrounding galvanising with some carefully applied grease.

BTW replies to the original question were appearing as new posts for me as well!
 
[ QUOTE ]
If this has seized because the galvanising has gone and it has started to rust then some phosphoric acid based rust remover might do the trick but only after all else has failed as it will attack the galvanising as well.

[/ QUOTE ]I think it would be lucky if this works. The stuff just converts rust to something else (ferrous phosphate?), but won't weaken the bond. Phosphoric acid rust remover doesn't attack galvanising, but if the two parts have rusted solid together then in fact the galvanising has already failed.

If these parts are rusted solid and other solutions fail (I like drilling in and introducing penetrating oil), then rather than hammer it to death, which might cause more extensive damage to the bow roller assembly, I would try if possible to hacksaw off the rachet and its pivot. It might be easier to get them apart once off the boat, and replace the pivot with a bolt or clevis pin. Otherwise getting a replacement fabricated should not prove too difficult.
 
I only suggested it as something else to try. True it'll convert the rust into ferrous phosphte but in so doing it might weeken the grip of the rust. I should have said it might attack the galvanising as I am not sure about that. As zinc phosphate is insoluble I guess you are right.
 
there's nothing much you cant shift with a 3 foot stilson if you can get at it. failing that, the biggest birmingham screwdriver you can use.
 
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