Plastimo 608s furler halyard swivel advice

[Guy666]

Hi. Many thanks for adding me.
The halyard swivel on my old Plastimo 608s jib furler has been quite stiff.
My understanding is that in order to replace this I would need to detach the forestay and remove it from the top. I am keen to avoid this if possible and dismantle and clean it whilst it's still on the boat.
I have managed to unscrew the top cover and cleaned a bit of old grease and crud out of the top. I would like to get it apart so I can clean up the bearings etc and re-lubricate. However the inner spindle does not want to move down. I have tried a bit of gentle persuasion with a wooden block and hammer whilst supporting the outer shell.
I wondered if I could carefully prise the shell and spindle apart using short rope strops to each attachment point and a car jack. Does anyone have any experience of dismantling these whilst still on the forestay? Any thoughts or tips?
Photos attached

 

[garymalmgren]

Here is the manual, Guy.
https://www.marina.hu/custom/marina...8a87715609d36_Plastimo_s-series_manual_en.pdf

Unfortunately there are no details on the top swivel.
I have the same furler and for maintenance on the swivel I just used dishwashing liquid and lots of rinses.

If that doesn't work and it looks like the bearing is shot I think you will need to remove the swivel and work on a bench.

Rig up the foresail halyard and a forestay.
Slacken the forestay t the stem.
Up the mast and disconnect the foil at the masthead.
Lower it down and away you go
gary

 

[Refueler]

Rig a second stay so you can disconnect forestay at deck ...

Once disconnected - you dismantle the furler drum .. then you can actually slide the whole lot of the furler ...

Basically you reverse the assembly sequence. No need to remove stay from masthead or go up mast ..

But usually hot water (not boiling) should free it up ...

 

[Stemar]

From memory, if you can separate two of the foil sections, it should be possible to get the top swivel off without going up the mast. Disconnect the forestay at the bottom and slide the drum and bottom foil(s?) off. You should then be able to slide the swivel off and take it home to fiddle with.

I haven't done this, but I did fit a 608 furler from deck level, without taking the forestay off, on my last boat.

 

[Guy666]

Here is the manual, Guy.
https://www.marina.hu/custom/marina...8a87715609d36_Plastimo_s-series_manual_en.pdf

Unfortunately there are no details on the top swivel.
I have the same furler and for maintenance on the swivel I just used dishwashing liquid and lots of rinses.

If that doesn't work and it looks like the bearing is shot I think you will need to remove the swivel and work on a bench.

Rig up the foresail halyard and a forestay.
Slacken the forestay t the stem.
Up the mast and disconnect the foil at the masthead.
Lower it down and away you go
gary

Hi Gary. Do you rinse it out with just the cap off? I am concerned that this would just wash any crud into the lower bearing if the shell and spindle are still in the original position. Also the water wouldn't be able to drain out. Maybe I am overthinking this.

 

[Cerebus]

Hi Gary. Do you rinse it out with just the cap off? I am concerned that this would just wash any crud into the lower bearing if the shell and spindle are still in the original position. Also the water wouldn't be able to drain out. Maybe I am overthinking this.

Many fullers recommend just hot water.

You may be overthinking it, but perhaps not.

Maybe try washing in situ as advised above and see if it works (no crunchy sounds afterwards !)

Perhaps use pressurised air to blow anything out once dry? The bearings look secure in the race, so hopefully no chance they can come loose.

 

[chris-s]

If you do get it off then you always have the option of replacing the bearings if cleaning doesn’t help. It was a while ago I did it but an easy job.

 

[garymalmgren]

RE: Hi Gary. Do you rinse it out with just the cap off? I am concerned that this would just wash any crud into the lower bearing if the shell and spindle are still in the original position. Also the water wouldn't be able to drain out. Maybe I am overthinking this.

Yes. The soap is mainly to get rid of salt and hard grease. Any sand or dust will be washed down into the lower bearing. Lots of water. I guess hot water would be a good move. When finished leave some excess soap in there. Haven't done it for 5 years so it is probably about time. Try it and see if that fixes your problem.

If not. RE:From memory, if you can separate two of the foil sections, it should be possible to get the top swivel off without going up the mast. Disconnect the forestay at the bottom and slide the drum and bottom foil(s?) off. You should then be able to slide the swivel off and take it home to fiddle with.

Just had a good look at the manual and foil. I think this advise is correct. You will need to remove the drum and the boltrope prefeeder (page 10)_
The big question is are the stainless securing bolts seized onto the aluminum foil. Penetrene, heat and patience.

So. try soap in situ first and that is a no go remove the swivel at the bottom of the forestay.

gary

 

[Refueler]

My 608 is more than 25yrs in my ownership and never dismantled except for removing about 30cms at top of furlet after hitting overhead cable and bent the top section. I believe it was in previous owners hands for all time he had the boat ... many years ...
In that time with me - maybe 2x I have used ther hot water flush ...

 

[Guy666]

UPDATE
Thank you to everyone for your input.

So the car jack idea worked a treat. See photo.

I have now been able to clean out the bearings and swivel with plenty of detergent and hot water. Bearings are feeling a lot smoother. I have left it apart at the moment to dry out a bit and will then clean with white spirit.

I would be grateful for any thoughts about the best lubricant in this situation - marine grease or Sailkote dry lubricant?

 

[Refueler]

Do not use any lubricant that encourages crud to stick in there .... you've cleaned it out - so maybe good idea to not have it collect again ?

At most - I would look at something like Light Cyle Oil or 3in1 .. and only a tiny bit .. just to help.

 

[garymalmgren]

Well done with the separation using a car jack. A good idea that I will file away for Ron.

RE: I would be grateful for any thoughts about the best lubricant in this situation - marine grease or Sailkote dry lubricant?

Ok, the bearings were gunked up. Why?
Could it be that a lubricant (grease?) was used in the past?

My thoughts is/are. use nothing except a fairly regular rinse with water.

gary