Re-installing Garhauer Genoa fairlead bearings

TommmD

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Jul 22, 2014
49
Hunter Legend 355 Portsmouth, RI
So.. I was trying to install my new Garhauer blocks without my reading glasses & did not see the label. As I heard (I sure did not see) the little balls bouncing ( what was that!!) I vaguely recalled reading a thread a couple months ago to the effect, do NOT under any circumstances remove the track...

Sure, enough, leave it on, it installs pretty easily. Sure wish there had been a printed piece in the set that made me reach for my glasses, or maybe even a BIG sticker that said STOP, DUMMY, YEAH YOU!

So now I have my replacement bearings, but I'm having trouble following the phone instructions I got.. feed the balls down from the end of the track.. and making them go. They are small. Very small. And the simple act of picking even one up, tweezers or no, is a challenge never mind, what 40 or 50 of them? Forget about feeding them into the slot between track & block.

I could use a few tips from those who have re-installed these since it seems to be a common mistake.
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,936
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Without admitting anything ...

There are instructions somewhere as I recall seeing it. I believe the process is to partially slide the piece of track up and work the balls in a separation at a time. Biggest thing is clean hands and patience. Note there are separations about every 1" or 2" so you have to work on filling those and working them up.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Contact Garhauer about having them doing it for you. You are not the first one to do this (believe me)
 
Oct 15, 2009
220
catalina 320 Perry Lake
Garhauer will send them back on a piece of track. You line up their track with yours and roll the assembly into place. Don't throw away the pieces of track , you'll need them if you ever want to reverse the process.
Don't ask how I know!
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,182
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Oops!

Garhauer will send them back on a piece of track. You line up their track with yours and roll the assembly into place. Don't throw away the pieces of track , you'll need them if you ever want to reverse the process.
Don't ask how I know!
....I guess I should have kept them!
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Wet them with liquid DISH SOAP. They will stick like crazy to the track. Assemble. Rinse when done and you're golden.