Frozen aluminum sheaves

Eddie7045 · Apr 20, 2014

WD-40 left on it overnight should do the trick. Some

people like Inox better after you free it up. They claim Inox is more durable as a preventative lubricant than WD-40

Brian S · Apr 20, 2014

I think you'd want to get the corroded aluminum out of there. PB Blaster probably won't do that. I wonder if you could use some oxalic acid on that. Or is that too strong, would eat away at the remaining good aluminum?

caguy · Apr 20, 2014

I'd soak them in vinegar or CLR for a couple of days. If that did not work and the sheaves are aluminum I would try a little heat. Good luck.

Steve Dion · Apr 20, 2014

I would replace them after removing them. Rigrite probably has what you need.

Anonymous 121765 · Apr 21, 2014

I agree with Steve, somethings age to a point it would be wise to replace them.

That being said, just for piece of mind, remove them & take to a local machine shop for reconditioning. They have better equipment for this.

I still agree with Steve in replacing them. Do it right, do it once.

CR

caguy · Apr 21, 2014

Steve Dion said:
I would replace them after removing them. Rigrite probably has what you need.

Nice referral. I'm having trouble finding the sheaves pins. I replaced the sheaves on my traveler but had to use screws. I'd rather use the original rivet type. I couldn't find them at their site, unless they have a different name than sheaves pin. I can't found their prices either. Thanks for the lead, I have a lot more blocks in my garage that need repairing.

$tingy Sailor · Apr 21, 2014

I would replace them with something made with synthetic materials so that it doesn't happen again. If you seldom unstep the mast, you'll probably never know when it happens, like this time. Ronstan makes a wide variety of sizes.

I recently replaced mine and, although the sheaves were only worn out and not frozen, the pins were. I'll probably publish a post about it on my blog this weekend. There's a link to it in my signature. The main point of the post will be about replacing them with oversize sheaves. Not exactly the same thing, but it might be helpful.

woodster · Apr 21, 2014

caguy said:
Nice referral. I'm having trouble finding the sheaves pins. I replaced the sheaves on my traveler but had to use screws. I'd rather use the original rivet type. I couldn't find them at their site, unless they have a different name than sheaves pin. I can't found their prices either. Thanks for the lead, I have a lot more blocks in my garage that need repairing.

most of the manufactures have a reffing service and can rebuild them just contact them and see what they can do for you ...

regards

woody

PatTormey · Apr 21, 2014

Same issue with my furler sheaves. (They had a removable pin so it was easier to pull) My local hardware store had new bronze bushing, 'pressed' them with my bench vise, cut the excess and smoothed the edges and they fit right back in.. If you can get the right sheaves and pins you could try drilling them out and replacing the axles.

Pat, 'Blue Skies', Portsmouth NH

Ron20324 · Apr 21, 2014

You don't have wire halyards, do you?

Stu Jackson · Apr 21, 2014

caguy said:
I'd rather use the original rivet type.

WADR, why? Rivets: not repairable, if stuck they have to be drilled out.

Bolts and bushings: easily replaceable, sheaves are easy to replace and lubricate.

Gunni · Apr 21, 2014

GeorgiaBII said:
Nope regular old rope.

I step the mast twice a year.

A good reason to drill out those rivets and replace those sheaves with rope-friendly plastic sheaves.

Poodle Head Mikey · Apr 21, 2014

Soak them twice

Soak them first in Kroil or P/B Blaster until you can work them free back and forth and then eventually turn them freely. If they are especially tough to move use a piece of line, or wire halyard, around a sheave with a cable clamp to grab it tight - to form a handle. I personally would gently use a pair of channel locks to grab each sheave to get it to start turning if I had to - but you may not want to. Even though a rat tail file would smooth off any rough spots later. <g>

Then, if it were me; I would soak them in a melted blend of paraffin wax, motor oil with teflon in it, and Never Seize. Let them sit in the warm/hot mixture for a few hours and then hang them up to drip dry and cool. This is what I now use on non o-ring motorcycle chains as you can't get chain boiling grease any more.

PHM
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GeorgiaBII said:
I've got in mast halyards and I've found 2 of the sheaves in the mast are frozen.

I was able to remove the mast base with the sheaves but is there a good way to free these things up? I'd rather not be destructive and the budget is getting thin for this years recommissioning.

Thanks.

Some pictures of the problem.