G'day,
I have this block(& others are the same) that the bearings are breaking into little pieces, so their no-where near as smooth as before, is it possible to repair these types of blocks ie re-pack the bearings? cheers

Don't think so, they are riveted. I suspect the inner and outer races are also well worn.

They are a throw away item.

With the balls being visible there is no way of keeping any kind of grease in there anyway.

As RiffRaff said, the riveted construction is not designed to be serviced.

You can drill out the rivets and replace with SS bolts. The bearings are available from a bloke that advertizes in the back of the Afloat magazine but they are expensive. I would personally keep an eye on eBay for new old stock. If you need to keep these blocks there are sites in the USA that sell all sorts of plastic ball bearings. I have bought Delrin bevel gears and plastic bearings from them and could probably find the address somewhere.

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Ramona said..

You can drill out the rivets and replace with SS bolts. The bearings are available from a bloke that advertizes in the back of the Afloat magazine but they are expensive. I would personally keep an eye on eBay for new old stock. If you need to keep these blocks there are sites in the USA that sell all sorts of plastic ball bearings. I have bought Delrin bevel gears and plastic bearings from them and could probably find the address somewhere.

Or replace the sheaves with plain sheaves with bronze/brass bushes that fit the bolts. Hunt around, I think you will find something. Won't be as racey but will work.

Bluemoon,

Replace it with a Harken, they don't make the lower end blocks like Ronstan and for a few dollars extra you will have a better block.

Our sailmaker next door can get them at the RIGHT price. I'll ring you Thursday.

Nooooo! Don't buy Harken.

Last year I spent hundreds of dollars replacing a Fico Australia traveller and track on my 27ft boat, it was jamming and although I had replaced the torlon balls it had seen its day. It was the original with the boat so was almost 30yrs old.
I went for the 32mm range which is supposed to be suitable for boats with a sail area up to 32m2 (Mine is 26m2)
Well it is pathetic, I have to carry bottles of water go keep it wet otherwise it jams when racing, I have tried everything cleaning with detergent and flushing with fresh water, checking the load point is perpendicular to the car etc. I will never buy anything Harken again