Harken mk1 furler torque tube screws

[FecklessDolphin]

Greetings,

The torque screws for my Harken mk 1 unit 1 furler keep falling out. The threads that they screw into are stripped. Neither new screws or Loctite solved the problem. Has anyone come across a solution? Is there potential to re-tap them?

Thanks

s/v Gryphon
Morris Justine

[model 10]

Are these the screws that hold the tube sections together? I would re- tap them and use more lock tite.

[FecklessDolphin]

The bottom foil unit is clamped into the torque tube. The torque tube is attached to the drum section with the torque tube screws. The threads that the torque screws go into are stripped.

shown on p. 23 of this link

http://www.melantho.com/cal332/HarkenMark1Manual.pdf

[model 10]

I see what you mean. If you don't want to take it apart and install new parts, it looks like you have 2 choices. A tricky helicoil job or drill all the way through and re tap it, then trim off the screw on the back side.

[alexanick]

I bought a used furling system and had the same problem. You can either re-tap the existing hole in the drum and use a larger screw with lock-tite, or rotate the torque tube an inch or so and drill and tap new holes, in the drum, to fit the original screws. If you drill new holes, slide the locking collar up and out of the way when you drill through the drum. Again, use lock-tite. As a last resort, try wrapping the outside of the torque tube, after you put the screws in, with a water resistant tape to keep the screws from backing out.

[jacktheflyer]

Originally Posted by alexanick

rotate the torque tube an inch or so and drill and tap new holes, in the drum, to fit the original screws. If you drill new holes, slide the locking collar up and out of the way when you drill through the drum. Again, use lock-tite. As a last resort, try wrapping the outside of the torque tube, after you put the screws in, with a water resistant tape to keep the screws from backing out.

Thanks for the tip. i have the same issue on my Profurl.
Scrubby

[FecklessDolphin]

So I tried calling Harken. Despite this furler being 20+ years old, the receptionist directed me to a tech person who was helpful beyond my expectations. The tech person suggested I rotate the torque tube and re-tap rather than using thread inserts. He told me that I will be tapping into aluminum and that it needs to be 10-32 threads. He told me that there are no implications for alignment of other parts of the system. I was impressed by this level of customer support. I will lift the collar after marking my holes and before I redrill as suggested above. I still need to figure out what lubricant I use to tap into aluminum. I feel really good about the support I have received.

[toodleoo]

Cutting oil is sold at almost all auto part stores.