self tailing feeder arm, repair or replace?

[BobT]

The PO had a Lewmar 30 self tailing winch mounted on the cabintop for a single line reefing setup plus halyard. The plastic crowns were all worn around the edges and when I replaced them I found out why. The feeder arm is bent inward. Looks like someone tried to winch a porker up the mast.
A new arm is available from Lewmar in the UK.($/£)
Do we have a US source?
What's the consensus on straightening the existing part? I have plenty of heat and leverage but I don't know the metallurgy and the chrome would probably be ruined.

 

[Tim R.]

For future peace of mind, replace it.

 

[Gunni]

Do you want to be the porker up the stick when the line jams in the winch? Those few bucks saved on replacement will likely be cold comfort.

 

[Sailm8]

Have you contacted the store on this site? They seem to have many sources for parts.

 

[Tim R.]

Just for the record, never use self-tailing arms when hoisting anyone up a mast, let alone porkers. Always have a person tail.

 

[ssamac]

Replace the part. Lewmars are sold in the US and any dealer should be able to get the part for you. May have to wait so order now.
critical part so I don't think I'd mess with it either as noted above.
ssamac

 

[Rick D]

I Replaced One...

...when a crew cranked on hard on an override. It isn't terribly expensive and it replaces in moments.

 

[BobT]

I have searched the SBO store for parts and found winch covers only.
I don't mind replacing. Just found a US vendor: p2marine.com.
Every other winch on the boat is larger than this Lewmar 30. It was definitely not a good choice for that task.
I use a Mast mate to climb... My Sweetie is way too small to crank my 195 lbs of pork up there herself.