Replacing the bearing is not difficult but it should be done with a proper press and pliers.
I did all the profurl
maintenance for a
rigging shop in
Miami for a few years. I no longer
work there but they still have the setup and skills. Call sailing services for any help, as they are great people.
When there, I had some specific heads to push bearings out/in. Circlip Pliers are a must. (Circlip might not be the correct name)
I say you need a press and pliers because it’s really easy to scar the hub when tryin to pull things apart.
The
steel parts eventually rust and expand. The
salt crust also adds to lock things into place. Getting it all apart is tough. The rest is easy.
You can likely get a kit from sailing services. Doing the
work yourself is another question. I do not recommend going at it with a screwdriver and Mallet. There are probably videos on YouTube of people doing this but It’s the best way the scratch the
aluminum. Once scratched, it’s easier for
water to get into the new bearings, which, once exposed rust quickly.
Profurls assembly’s are pretty much the same when we are talking about the bearings.
1) Remove the drum from the foil and forestay. There is a set screw for the foil and bolt/s for the forestay toggle.
2) remove the
steel guards and any other screwed on items. You’ll end up with just the
aluminum hub (inside part) and drum (aluminum outside part)
3) remove the first visible clip from the bottom of the drum. This can be tough. Don’t use heat on the rubber parts of the bearings.
4) flip the assembly and PRESS the hub through the drum.
5) remove the first bewring and 2 clips from the hub. Be very careful not the scratch the hub. Use a short bit of pipe and the press the bearing/s off the hub.
6) There is a ball bearing in a pinhole on the side of the drum. This is pushed out from the inside. A long ice pick can be used.
7) all things free, give it all a good clean. The bearings and clips are not reused. Save any stainless spacers
Note that all the replaced items can be sourced from a bearing shop. The first clip that was removed is stainless. It lives in an exposed location and needs to be stainless.
Reassembly:
1) New bearings and old spacer/s can be warmed in an
oven. Don’t melt the rubber. 130 degrees helps expand the steel to more easily slide onto the hub.
2) grease the hub. Press on the first warmed bearing. Put on the first 2 clips and any spacers.
3) grease the drum. Press the hub into through the drum.
4) pack the void between the drum and the hub with bearing grease. Don’t be shy.
5) slide on the last bearing. Note that grease will come out of the pin hole on the side of the drum. Secure with the steel clip.
6) softly hammer the new steel ball into the pin hole.
7) reattach the rest of the assembly.