Replacing Lewmar Ocean Sz1 Mainsheet car

[bignick]

Does anyone know whether it is possible to replace a Lewmar Ocean car without sliding it off the end of the track? I.e. by removing an end cap and removing the bearings? I want to replace the current one because the main (captive) shackle is half worn through. However, having had a good look underneath, I can’t remove the track without cutting many holes in the inner lining of the boat, guessing where the bolts will be. I can only presume that they installed the original mainsheet system before they fitted the deck moulding on the hull. There isn’t space to slide it off the end because of the cockpit coamings.

 

[dgadee]

I am holding one just now - will be putting it on when the beam track arrives. I am not sure why you need to take the car off in order to replace the captive shackle. On mine it is held in place by the two pulleys on either side. Take off the pulleys and you can remove the shackle. The shackles seem to be available as spares.

 

[bignick]

Thank you. I’ll try removing the sheaves and see if can remove it.
Yes, I’ve seen that you can get the sheaves as spares. I worked out that it would be cheaper to buy a complete new car off eBay than replace the sheaves and shackle, plus add the extra two sheaves to give more purchase. I guess I could buy the new car and strip it for all its parts…. Would be nice to just replace the entire car though!

 

[dgadee]

I got a good price from Wet Works for my new car.

 

[Tranona]

Maybe the track is attached by screws into tapped plates rather than through bolted?

 

[bignick]

Unfortunately it’s a hidden bolt track - there aren’t any screw heads visible from the top either!
I’ll get out my iPad borescope and see what I can see from inside the engine panel.

 

[bignick]

I am holding one just now - will be putting it on when the beam track arrives. I am not sure why you need to take the car off in order to replace the captive shackle. On mine it is held in place by the two pulleys on either side. Take off the pulleys and you can remove the shackle. The shackles seem to be available as spares.

Thank you,.
Looks like I can replace the shackle and pin without replacing the car.