Lewmar genoa car ball bearings

[westhinder]

I have managed to remove the genoa car (Lewmar) from its track, at which point the ball bearings cascaded out. Trying to put them back in does not prove a simple job, or am I missing a trick?
Practical ideas, or hard-earned experience, anyone?

 

[West Coast]

I fitted lewmar supplied ball bearings on mine as a retrofit, if I remember right, the kit came with a short piece of track and instructions, and was straightforward to do. Perhaps you should source this kit?

 

[Stork_III]

When I converted my cars to BB I fitted most of the balls in with the car on the end of the track, then for the last few used shaving foam to stick them on until the end cap was fitted.

 

[grafozz]

I replaced my bearings using vaseline to stick the bearings into the car one by one , and lost none ,
although I did place a towel under the work area to catch any runaways !

 

[westhinder]

Cheers guys, I'll give it a try tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if I can avoid an avalanche of little balls ;-)

 

[SvenH]

I'd prefer to use dishwashing liquid instead of vaseline.

Vaseline may eventually attract dirt and glog, dishwashing liquid will rinse away.

 

[charles_reed]

The short length of track and steady hand is the only sure way of doing it.
Fortunately Lewmar are used to tinkering yotties and, on a phone call, will send you some spare in the post.
Mind you it might have been because I knew the then MD.

 

[knuterikt]

I have managed to remove the genoa car (Lewmar) from its track, at which point the ball bearings cascaded out. Trying to put them back in does not prove a simple job, or am I missing a trick?
Practical ideas, or hard-earned experience, anyone?

When delivered new the cars with balls is mounted on a piece of plastic track.
You remove the end stop from the plastic track and put it end to end with the track and slide the car over (Make sure you take it of the correct end).
Removing is the same put the plastic track end to end with the track and slide it off.

This plastic track has got a slot at one end that is used to insert new balls if needed.
It's wise to keep the these plastic tracks in case you need to take the cars off.

 

[westhinder]

When delivered new the cars with balls is mounted on a piece of plastic track.
You remove the end stop from the plastic track and put it end to end with the track and slide the car over (Make sure you take it of the correct end).
Removing is the same put the plastic track end to end with the track and slide it off.

This plastic track has got a slot at one end that is used to insert new balls if needed.
It's wise to keep the these plastic tracks in case you need to take the cars off.

I thought there might be a clever way to insert the balls ;-)
I'll ask a Lewmar dealer, they might have a spare track. Thanks.

 

[westhinder]

I'd prefer to use dishwashing liquid instead of vaseline.

Vaseline may eventually attract dirt and glog, dishwashing liquid will rinse away.

Thanks for the idea, I have managed to put it all back together. The dishwashing liquid helped keep the last remaining balls in their place in the end piece so I could reassemble the lot.