My foresail Roller Furler (FaMet ReeFurl) was getting more difficult to furl in each year.  I knew it needed grease but it didn't seem to be helping.  I called FaMet and they informed me that it's not the grease (you don't grease it anyway) you need a new Thrust Bearing Pad & Nylon Thrust Washers.

     The old brochure I had from FaMet, (back when ever), looked like this.  Kind of looks like an antique come to think of it.  Words like, "Greatest Invention of the Century" and Covered Sails to Full Sails in 60 Seconds!"  Anyway, the furler had preformed rock solid for years and it was my intention to replace the washers and bearing pad.

Step 1
     For safety, anytime I stand a chance of disconnecting the standing rigging I attach a safety halyard.

Step 2
     I removed the Spooling Guard, as it's called, in order to get to the Thrust Bearing Pad underneath the furler.

Step 3
     In order to remove the Bearing Pad, you need to unscrew the two 3/16" allen screws.  My screws had not moved in years!  I sprayed them with Liquid Wrench^© and let them set overnight.  With a 3/16" allen socket, I was able to slowly work them out.  Notice the corrosion on the screws and what's left of the thrust washer.  This is the real reason it was so hard to pull in and not the lack of grease.

Step 4
     Here's what the bottom of the drum assembly looks like with the Thrust Bearing Pad out.  The second picture is the new Thrust Bearing Pad and Washers.  I decided to add some Tef-Gel^© to help out on any future corrosion.  Notice the shape of the two Split Plastic Thrust Bearing Washers.  That's what it's really supposed to look like, unlike what I removed.  When you receive the Thrust Bearing Pad you have to drill out the center per the diameter of your fore stay wire.  I dropped it off at a metal shop and they precisely drilled it to 1/64" larger than my 1/4" fore stay wire. 

Step 5
     Next, when I was ready to installed the "new stuff," I was able to pull the drum and sail up and hold it in place long enough to get the Thrust Bearing Pad and two Nylon Thrust Washers in place.  I gave the allen screws a final torque and eased the drum back down onto the washers and pad.  (Ok, all right, I got my foot in the picture.)

Step 6
     I reinstalled the Spooling Guard, and had to adjust it so it wouldn't rub on the drum.

Step 7
     It all checked out under sail.  Worked great and was A LOT easier to pull in. 
      This is the new brochure from FaMet ReeFurl Systems, out in Lawrence, Kansas.  Ron and Tamera Peterson are really nice folks. 

(Update..Feb 09: .FaMet is out of business now, no record of parts on the net)

     If you have one of these old reliable furlers on your boat, do yourself and your crew a favor, and install a new Thrust Bearing Pad and Washers.