Harken mast traveller cars

[Gerry Knight]

I recently purchased a 1994 29.5 with the Harken mast traveller system. It feels like the ball bearings inside the Harken cars have pitted and the cars stick when moved along the track. The track appears to be very smooth. Has anyone else seen this problem and if so can new ball bearings be acquired and is it difficult to replace them?

 

[Don Berger]

Pitted balls?

I'd be surprised to hear that the balls are actually pitted - have you actually inspected them?They do require periodic maintenance. Harken recommends frequent washing with fresh water and i've found that it also helps to periodically spray the track car's track and bearings with a dry lube e.g., McLube or something similar. If they are binding it is also more likely that they are twisting on you which can happen when the sail shape is not uniform as you raise or lower the sail off the wind. If you can rule out dirt and twist, be careful removing the cars for a closer inspection unless you still have the car carrier which came with the set - unless you enjoy the sound of ball bearings falling all over the deck.If they are actually pitted, I'd check with Harken before proceeding further in the event they may be more gratuitous with you then they were with my problem of the cars falling off.DonIllusionDonillusion

 

[Steve Dion]

ouch!

Gerry:I thought that the bearing were a derlin/plastic material. I'd agree with Don, call Harken first. One thing that will clean them up is carb. cleaner (suppose that WD-40 would work too). You can spray the bearing with carb cleaner and then rinse with lots of fresh water. Once they have dried out you can spray with McLube.

 

[Gerry Knight]

Thanks for the responsesI have not inspected the ball bearings yet for all the reasons mentioned. I will try washing and lubing them as recommended and report back. The mast is currently off the boat which makes lubing the track easier