Does anyone know what has happened to this jammer and how to make the metal part go down into the recesse in the plastic composite lever so the lever can be closed. I have tried pulling the jaw below the visible metal carrier back against the spring with my finger from below but the metal carrier still binds and won't go low enough to allow closing the composite lever.

I think the metal plate pushes down a serrated metal brake pad, that must have flipped up. My guess is the secret to fixing it is waiting for you if you check inside the front of the jammer with a bright light.
By the way, the rust around the jammer suggests you might be using 304 stainless bolts. 304 SS is great but not for salt water. You need 316 stainless bolts.

I think the metal plate pushes down a serrated metal brake pad, that must have flipped up. My guess is the secret to fixing it is waiting for you if you check inside the front of the jammer with a bright light.
By the way, the rust around the jammer suggests you might be using 304 stainless bolts. 304 SS is great but not for salt water. You need 316 stainless bolts.

Have you tried drawing a rope through it whilst closing the lever?

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Jolene said..
Have you tried drawing a rope through it whilst closing the lever?

Thanks, tried that yesterday but still no luck. Very frustrating.

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wooly3 said..
I think the metal plate pushes down a serrated metal brake pad, that must have flipped up. My guess is the secret to fixing it is waiting for you if you check inside the front of the jammer with a bright light.
By the way, the rust around the jammer suggests you might be using 304 stainless bolts. 304 SS is great but not for salt water. You need 316 stainless bolts.

Thanks. As for the 304 heads up-yes probably 304 but I just got the boat and so many jobs to do I don't feel like pulling the cabin head lining off just yet to check and these bolts. Bit surprised as they look original and I would have up thought Northshore yachts would have done it right. Few others around the boat with even worse rust stains :(.
Meanwhile the darn jammer still stuck. It's the vang for a big main so suspecting it may have been overloaded and have popped out under extreme load and be irreparable but housing doesn't look bent. Think previous owner gave up because vang block now has its own jaws despite tail still lead back through this inoperable jammer.