42: Jammed jib track stopper

[geoff326]

Has anybody found a solution to freeing a jammed Harken jib track stopper?


One of the stoppers on the jib track on my Lagoon 42 is jammed, and although I've tried several different lubricants they have had zero effect.

[Tin Tin]

Post a photo.

[geoff326]

[bil56]

no pic !

[Cheechako]

No idea what it looks like, but if it's mixed metals like aluminum and SS and etc. Giver it a hard 'rap' with a hammer so the "plunger" gets shocked. It's likely salt/corrosion.

[geoff326]

Sorry, I'm having problems uploading the image.
The stoppers are basically sliders that run along the track, and use a sprung retractable stopper(with bolt)mounted on them to locate the slider at the desired position through hole in the track. I've tried whacking it with a hammer as you suggest, but to no avail. I was wondering whether a solution of oxalic acid might work?

[Tin Tin]

Harken call it a pinstop. They have different types. Usually a spring loaded pin. Some are pin heads some are lever heads. So the pin needs to be lifted. The spring may be broken. If it was me I would use a pair of Vice Grips and pull the pin head up, twisting slightly from side to side - but then something might break which was likely going to break soon any way. Also what may have happened is that one of the bolts holding down the track has come loose and now sitting proud and caught the stopper from underneath. Either way you may need a pry bar/screw driver or vice grip with gentle persuasion to get the pin loose. A picture will help a lot in identifying your issue. I assume the jib sheet is slack or removed.


An alternative identifier is - Google Harken Pinstop, click on images in the Google search function there will be hundreds of them, pick the one that resembles yours and post the link. https://www.google.com/search?client...&bih=873&dpr=1

[Don C L]

Well, there is always weasel piss: 1 part acetone and 1 part automatic transmission fluid. Leave to soak overnight. It worked for me to free up a stuck pin in a spinnaker pole when nothing else would.

[geoff326]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

Harken call it a pinstop. They have different types. Usually a spring loaded pin. Some are pin heads some are lever heads. So the pin needs to be lifted. The spring may be broken. If it was me I would use a pair of Vice Grips and pull the pin head up, twisting slightly from side to side - but then something might break which was likely going to break soon any way. Also what may have happened is that one of the bolts holding down the track has come loose and now sitting proud and caught the stopper from underneath. Either way you may need a pry bar/screw driver or vice grip with gentle persuasion to get the pin loose. A picture will help a lot in identifying your issue. I assume the jib sheet is slack or removed.


An alternative identifier is - Google Harken Pinstop, click on images in the Google search function there will be hundreds of them, pick the one that resembles yours and post the link. https://www.google.com/search?client...&bih=873&dpr=1

https://www.harken.com.au/en/shop/32...table-pinstop/

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Well, there is always weasel piss: 1 part acetone and 1 part automatic transmission fluid.

^ Absolutely.
The guys that restore/rebuild ancient machinery have been using that concoction forever, it still works.

[geoff326]

From the feel of the stopper it seems that it is most likely due to the spring rather than corrosion.