Swivel bearing on my slingshot comp stick is rusted and seizing. Looking at it, it seems it's a cheapo steel bearing. Am I missing something here, should it not be stainless if it's for use in (salt) water?

There's stainless, and then there's stainless, and then there's China...

Yeah, thats what it feels like. Must have been a great idea in the board room. Do slingshot designers not kitesurf anymore ?

We have a 2012 bar and the bearing is failing. We just got a 2nd hand 2011 bar and the bearing is siezed and rust stained. Is it possible to open the swivel and change the bearing? Thanks.

Do you mean the center line swivel? That sucks. I suspect those are supposed to be sealed bearings, maybe you had a faulty part.

I've been using them for a few years now, and while not perfect, nothing has seized up on me. But then again, I rinse my bars with fresh water after most sessions. I also spray that center line swivel with a dri lube (like McLube) on occasion.

If there is a way to self service that, it'd be great.

If not, you can buy a new one but they are pricey (here). Call up Slingshot. If you bought it within a year they may give you a free warranty replacement on that part or a better price. I've always found them very responsive when I call with a question.

The bearings used to rust for some people on the old CL setup, and they sold the bearings here. But that's a different part. Salt water is going to rust stainless steel also if left on it for a long time. It takes a much longer time than regular steel, but it eventually happens.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Mine works exactly how i expected it to work after a few sessions.I loop the kite one way most of the time,clockwise. I then take a quick break,lay back,grab center lines,see if i can unwind it before kite wanders down,then up and away, oh well.Low expectations, no disappointment

I was researching ceramic bearings the other day. any chance the ceramic bearings can be put in for is the plastic moulded around the existing bearing? Ceramic is expensive, but should last forever!

Don't think so. Looks like two halves of swivel are machined together. BTW Check the price of a replacement. Then finish the sentence, I love Slingshot because.........

I don't like the 2012 SS swivel, and there must be better designs out there.
It seems to be the only bad component of the kite.

1. It's bulky size and heavy weight are prone to start a tangle, if you slack your lines.

2. On my 3 kites, the bearing is frozen with salt and sand every time.

3. My bearings have rust dripping out from the China stainless.

4. The bad swivel adds a lot of issues, and doesn't function as intended.

5. I'd like to modify my bar and get rid of it, but that would be an issue at resale time.

6. The Naish swivel is very very similar, how well does it work?

Conclusion: I would prefer simple and lightweight mouse ears or a chicken loop swivel.