Winch maintenance
You can search the archives for some really good info on this topic but here's an overview. Dismantle one winch at a time, noting where everything goes. It's always great to have a diagram but it's not necessary. I cut a hole in the bottom of a box to fit over the winch, just in case a part has a mind to take flight. As far as solvents are concerned, I've used everything from kerosene to WD40 (yes, it's a solvent) to diesel. Personally, I like WD40 the best cuz it smells the best (maybe that's a chick thing) and easiest to clean off my skin in the event of contact. In that regard, latex gloves are always good to wear when working with the solvents. If your winches haven't been maintained for a long time (like ever), you'll probably need a bucket of kero or diesel cuz the gunk that builds up is pretty nasty. Use a very soft toothbrush and a clean, relatively lint free rag to clean them up
