The spreaders on my mast have a definate downward slant. On closer examination it appears the attachment bracket might be fastened to the
mast upside down. The tang is about 5 degrees below a horizontal. I know the spreaders should be about 5 degrees above the horizontal. Has anyone experienced this problem? Should I remove the bracket and turn it over, or should try and bend the tangs to the proper angle?
Thanks
Spreaders
Moderators: Tim Bosma, Tom Elsen
-
Tom Elsen
- Site Admin
- Posts: 419
- Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 5:42 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, MN & Chicago, IL
Spreader bracket
Hi Joe
IMHO, it's possible that a previous owner put your bracket on upside down, but unlikely. I'm not sure that the bracket would fit, exactly, if it had been mistakenly flipped. Look closely at the rivets, that should tell, as they will have been replaced. It's more likely that the male portions of the bracket were rewelded. They sometimes develop hairline cracks, usually right along the weld bead.
Not to worry too much. Carefully loosen spreader tips and raise them an inch or two along the stays. Don't put too much torque on the bracket leads. Get the spreaders close to level and you'll be fine. But again, don't torque those (male) pieces of the bracket.
IMHO, it's possible that a previous owner put your bracket on upside down, but unlikely. I'm not sure that the bracket would fit, exactly, if it had been mistakenly flipped. Look closely at the rivets, that should tell, as they will have been replaced. It's more likely that the male portions of the bracket were rewelded. They sometimes develop hairline cracks, usually right along the weld bead.
Not to worry too much. Carefully loosen spreader tips and raise them an inch or two along the stays. Don't put too much torque on the bracket leads. Get the spreaders close to level and you'll be fine. But again, don't torque those (male) pieces of the bracket.
Best wishes,
Tom
Tom