Mainsheet traveller on X-332

[Upnorth]

I have a mainsheet traveller fitted to my X-332 made by Fredriksen (now Ronstan I think). The car, which is fitted with a recirculating balls, has started to run very roughly

As the ends of the traveller are inside the cockpit it is not possible to slide the car off the track to inspect the balls. There is an ‘end cap’ on the car which looks likely to allow the balls to come out, but I am a little cautious about removing it unlesss I can’t get it back together again. I have given it a good clean, and following most of the advice on various sites, not applied any lubricant. Lubricant apparantly causes the balls to skid rather than rotate.

I wonder whether anyone has any experience with this item. I am thinking that maybe the balls need replacing. . I think the current part is RC12223, fitted with torlon balls.

 

[dt4134]

I have a mainsheet traveller fitted to my X-332 made by Fredriksen (now Ronstan I think). The car, which is fitted with a recirculating balls, has started to run very roughly

As the ends of the traveller are inside the cockpit it is not possible to slide the car off the track to inspect the balls. There is an ‘end cap’ on the car which looks likely to allow the balls to come out, but I am a little cautious about removing it unlesss I can’t get it back together again. I have given it a good clean, and following most of the advice on various sites, not applied any lubricant. Lubricant apparantly causes the balls to skid rather than rotate.

I wonder whether anyone has any experience with this item. I am thinking that maybe the balls need replacing. . I think the current part is RC12223, fitted with torlon balls.

We'd use copious amounts of MacLube on a regular basis. I've never heard anyone advise against it before and I've raced with quite a few who should know.

As you're considering replacing the balls anyway you could give it a go. It isn't cheap but it's a lot cheaper than your traveller.

 

[micha571]

We have the same car on our x-99.
When it moved a bit rough last year, I applied lots of Teflon spray. That was successful, it glides perfect since. If any balls should really be broken, i'm sure you can get them out by removing the end caps.

 

[pvb]

It looks like an RC12223, as you said, so should have 110 Torlon balls, 6.35mm diameter. If you remove the end cap, it ought to be possible to replace the balls with the car in situ, although I'm sure it would be a fiddly job!

 

[Twister_Ken]

We'd use copious amounts of MacLube on a regular basis.

McLube is scandalously priced. Ask in a bicycle shop for dry lube. Essentially the same thing, without marine pricing.

 

[Quandary]

Harken cars come with a blue moulded plastic tray device the size of the car that you use to catch the balls and remove or replace them. Every Harken equipped boat will have about three or more of them, I have no idea whether they can be used for Ronstan cars though; I suspect the balls are a different size.

 

[Monique]

Mine was clogged with salt; lots of high pressure water and presto.

No more problem.

Spray furniture polish also works.

 

[saltylegs]

I have one that used to be a spinny pole track fitting that I now use as an adjustable goose neck fitting. When moving it about I had a short piece of track that I could slide it on to from the track but in your case this would mean unbolting the track.
It is much easier to reload the new balls into the car if it is on a small piece of track so as you can turn it upside down etc. I think from memory you may get a plastic track profile when you are ordering the balls to aid this process.
unfortunately in your case I think that if you take a close look at the photos of your track you will see that the hard bearing surface has been worn away and you now have the rough/soft alloy showing, this has likely caused the balls to roughten and start to breakdown.
If you want a long lasting repair you will need to replace the track and the balls.

 

[dt4134]

McLube is scandalously priced. Ask in a bicycle shop for dry lube. Essentially the same thing, without marine pricing.

Agreed. I tend to use auto factors (proper back street/industrial estate ones rather than the poncey ones on the High St) but I just wanted to keep to the basics in my previous post and MacLube was easier to explain.

 

[William_H]

Traveller

It does seem to me that one of the biggest problems to traveller cars is the habit of using it to locate the boom when you leave the boat. ie the boom hangs on the topping lift with main sheet tight.
This means that with every small wave the boat rocks and the car moves a little. Hence the wear.
I now drop the boom with sail down onto cabin roof where it does not move. olewill

 

[bbg]

We'd use copious amounts of MacLube on a regular basis. I've never heard anyone advise against it before and I've raced with quite a few who should know.

Harken (makers of McLube) advise against it. They make another product, "One Drop". Too much McLube on ball bearings and they will slide instead of roll, creating flat spots. One Drop will keep them rolling.

But I agree with others - first step is to wash and rinse thoroughly. Then apply some One Drop and re-evaluate.

 

[Upnorth]

Thanks for all the tips and ideas.

The point olewill makes about anchoring the boom seems an interesting one. The boat has been moored that way for 13yrs.