Frozen winch
- Thread starter Brian D
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Take it apart
Do it right and take it apart, it's not hard to do. Find out why it's frozen and fix it. The loads placed on winches are way too high to chance a problem. Try to imagine a fully loaded sheet letting go on you and you'll understand. While you're in there do a full service on them if it hasn't been done in a while. New pawls, fresh grease make a nice difference. Remember to place a towel around the winch so any loose parts don't go overboard.
Do it right and take it apart, it's not hard to do. Find out why it's frozen and fix it. The loads placed on winches are way too high to chance a problem. Try to imagine a fully loaded sheet letting go on you and you'll understand. While you're in there do a full service on them if it hasn't been done in a while. New pawls, fresh grease make a nice difference. Remember to place a towel around the winch so any loose parts don't go overboard.
Winch maintainence
Just out of curiosity, how many of you take your winches apart on a regular basis to inspect and lubricate? Do you wait for a problem to appear, or do you break down your winches as part of a preventative maintainence program?
Just out of curiosity, how many of you take your winches apart on a regular basis to inspect and lubricate? Do you wait for a problem to appear, or do you break down your winches as part of a preventative maintainence program?
We service 'em
When we bought our new/old 1988 Catalina 30, the winches obviously needed servicing. We were aprehensive about taking them apart, so we did the single-speed, seldom-used winch first. It was surprising how easy it was to clean and lube them, replace pawl springs, etc. so now we do it routinely. I also believe that our two-speed winches are somewhat easier to disassemble than our single-speed ones! Gary
When we bought our new/old 1988 Catalina 30, the winches obviously needed servicing. We were aprehensive about taking them apart, so we did the single-speed, seldom-used winch first. It was surprising how easy it was to clean and lube them, replace pawl springs, etc. so now we do it routinely. I also believe that our two-speed winches are somewhat easier to disassemble than our single-speed ones! Gary
Brian, doing winches for the first time
is like changing fuel filters and bleeding the diesel. "Oh, shoot, that's gonna be a bear to do" you say. Then, you DO IT and wonder what took you so long and why you thought it was so hard. It really is easy. I bought the pawls and springs and still haven't had any pop off into the deep blue.
is like changing fuel filters and bleeding the diesel. "Oh, shoot, that's gonna be a bear to do" you say. Then, you DO IT and wonder what took you so long and why you thought it was so hard. It really is easy. I bought the pawls and springs and still haven't had any pop off into the deep blue.
Cool...
Might take them off and bring them home when I bring my outboard home. Lots of work to do on the boat. Know any links that describe how to take a basic winch apart? Just what to read up before tackling the thing. Thanks guys.
Might take them off and bring them home when I bring my outboard home. Lots of work to do on the boat. Know any links that describe how to take a basic winch apart? Just what to read up before tackling the thing. Thanks guys.
A frozen winch needs to be
taken apart, cleaned, and any broken parts replaced. I suggest getting a manual or diagram of your winch, either on line or from the manufacturer. When you get ready to take it apart, take some digital images of each stage so you'll have a record and be able to reverse the process. Not sure if this helps, but the only winch I ever had that froze was a small 2-speed Barient. After prying off the top clip, I could not raise the drum off the spindle no matter what I tried. Finally, in desperation, I put a narrow piece of plywood under the under side of the winch drum, and used a crow bar, moving it around to differenct places under the drum skirt, and prying up. The plywood kept the crow bar from damaging the gelcoat. By prying all around the bottom , the drum finally came off. It seems one of the tiny springs that hold the pawls in place had disintegrated and parts of it worked its way into the gear race -- and causing a lot of friction so that the drum couldn't move. This is sort of like dying from a splinter. I cleaned every thing up with mineral spirits and an old tooth brush, brushed on some white lithium grease on the race, spindle, and inside the drum, replaced the pawl spring and used some 3-in-1 oil on all the pawls, and put it back together. Worked fine every since.
taken apart, cleaned, and any broken parts replaced. I suggest getting a manual or diagram of your winch, either on line or from the manufacturer. When you get ready to take it apart, take some digital images of each stage so you'll have a record and be able to reverse the process. Not sure if this helps, but the only winch I ever had that froze was a small 2-speed Barient. After prying off the top clip, I could not raise the drum off the spindle no matter what I tried. Finally, in desperation, I put a narrow piece of plywood under the under side of the winch drum, and used a crow bar, moving it around to differenct places under the drum skirt, and prying up. The plywood kept the crow bar from damaging the gelcoat. By prying all around the bottom , the drum finally came off. It seems one of the tiny springs that hold the pawls in place had disintegrated and parts of it worked its way into the gear race -- and causing a lot of friction so that the drum couldn't move. This is sort of like dying from a splinter. I cleaned every thing up with mineral spirits and an old tooth brush, brushed on some white lithium grease on the race, spindle, and inside the drum, replaced the pawl spring and used some 3-in-1 oil on all the pawls, and put it back together. Worked fine every since.
Winch Maintenence &repairs
Taking a winch apart is pretty easy. Ive taken many apart for maintenence over the years. Be careful not to drop any parts overboard especially the springs they are easy to drop both on land or in the water. You`ll never find em. before you start have a kit of spare pawls & springs on hand. Barient/Barlow parts are hard to find. If you need them E mail me for the address of the distributor in Austrailia. After you get the top off youll usually find the trouble is a broken spring. If its any thing else you have to get the new parts and replace them A few do`s and donts Dont use wd40 its gets gummy and the winches will stick after a while. Do clean all the parts thoroughly with gasoline or a similar solvent Dont just dump the parts gears, races pawls ect: in a pot. Keep them in order so u can put them back the way they came off. After everything is are cleaned up, grease all parts with a good quality waterproof marine grease. Put everything back together they way you took it apart. Take care not to jam the springs. One final comment: You dont have to do this every season. After you have cleaned, re greased and put everything back together pay attention to the noise the winch makes when its turning. It should not be loud. When It gets loud you have bare metal hitting on metal. Its time to take them apart again Good Luck Bob
Taking a winch apart is pretty easy. Ive taken many apart for maintenence over the years. Be careful not to drop any parts overboard especially the springs they are easy to drop both on land or in the water. You`ll never find em. before you start have a kit of spare pawls & springs on hand. Barient/Barlow parts are hard to find. If you need them E mail me for the address of the distributor in Austrailia. After you get the top off youll usually find the trouble is a broken spring. If its any thing else you have to get the new parts and replace them A few do`s and donts Dont use wd40 its gets gummy and the winches will stick after a while. Do clean all the parts thoroughly with gasoline or a similar solvent Dont just dump the parts gears, races pawls ect: in a pot. Keep them in order so u can put them back the way they came off. After everything is are cleaned up, grease all parts with a good quality waterproof marine grease. Put everything back together they way you took it apart. Take care not to jam the springs. One final comment: You dont have to do this every season. After you have cleaned, re greased and put everything back together pay attention to the noise the winch makes when its turning. It should not be loud. When It gets loud you have bare metal hitting on metal. Its time to take them apart again Good Luck Bob
from the Lewmar site
Frequency of servicing Lewmar winches must be serviced regularly. Winches are required to carry deceptively high loads. Regular servicing, with attention to correct assembly and condition of parts, is vital to the safety and performance of your boat. When 1. Two or three times during active sailing season: Winches should be stripped, cleaned and re-lubricated. 2. At the end of each sailing season and before starting the new sailing season http://en.lewmar.com/products/index.aspx?lang=1&page_id=562 I took mine apart the first time very slowly, making a mental note how it all came apart and how it would fit back together and if all else fails, slowly take another apart to see how it fits. After it was all done, it was actually quite easy.
Frequency of servicing Lewmar winches must be serviced regularly. Winches are required to carry deceptively high loads. Regular servicing, with attention to correct assembly and condition of parts, is vital to the safety and performance of your boat. When 1. Two or three times during active sailing season: Winches should be stripped, cleaned and re-lubricated. 2. At the end of each sailing season and before starting the new sailing season http://en.lewmar.com/products/index.aspx?lang=1&page_id=562 I took mine apart the first time very slowly, making a mental note how it all came apart and how it would fit back together and if all else fails, slowly take another apart to see how it fits. After it was all done, it was actually quite easy.
Use a Cardboard Box
Get a cardboard box large enough to ship the winch with plenty of room for packing materials. Cut the top off of the box. Cut a hole to fit the base of the winch in the bottom of the box. Put the box over the winch. Working through the top of the box, disassemble the winch in the box. The box will catch any flying parts (pawls, springs, etc) and prevent them from going overboard. Clean and degrease using kerosene (gasoline is too flammable). Grease bearings. Use 90 weight gear oil on pawls & springs (grease may allow the pawls to slip). Reassemble. Simple, easy, and pleasant to do on a nice afternoon at the dock... with the appropriate adult beverage
. Done at least once per year on my boat.
Get a cardboard box large enough to ship the winch with plenty of room for packing materials. Cut the top off of the box. Cut a hole to fit the base of the winch in the bottom of the box. Put the box over the winch. Working through the top of the box, disassemble the winch in the box. The box will catch any flying parts (pawls, springs, etc) and prevent them from going overboard. Clean and degrease using kerosene (gasoline is too flammable). Grease bearings. Use 90 weight gear oil on pawls & springs (grease may allow the pawls to slip). Reassemble. Simple, easy, and pleasant to do on a nice afternoon at the dock... with the appropriate adult beverage
. Done at least once per year on my boat.Articles
All solid advice. You should check out the articles at www.catalina36.org ;go down the middle section to owners atricles and check out the 2 on winch maintenance. The pictues will help you understand how these gears and pieces mentioned below fit / work together. Stu is right...sounds tough, but not after doing it one time....and use a box with a hole cut out as recommended.
All solid advice. You should check out the articles at www.catalina36.org ;go down the middle section to owners atricles and check out the 2 on winch maintenance. The pictues will help you understand how these gears and pieces mentioned below fit / work together. Stu is right...sounds tough, but not after doing it one time....and use a box with a hole cut out as recommended.
maintenance schedule depends on the winch
(based on my experience, not mfgr suggestions) anderson: every six months lewmar: yearly harken: yearly antal: every other year barlow: every third year
(based on my experience, not mfgr suggestions) anderson: every six months lewmar: yearly harken: yearly antal: every other year barlow: every third year
Stephen K
Thank you kind sir for that info from C36.org. The write up makes it look very simple and not a complicated process as I expected. My thought were to take the winch completely off and work on it at home. I would feel much better doing that. But I am sure I can do the job on the boat given I had all the right parts. Thanks again to everyone for your advise.
Thank you kind sir for that info from C36.org. The write up makes it look very simple and not a complicated process as I expected. My thought were to take the winch completely off and work on it at home. I would feel much better doing that. But I am sure I can do the job on the boat given I had all the right parts. Thanks again to everyone for your advise.
Brian, it'll be HARD to take them off
most winches are bedded with an adhesive, rather than a sealant. don't ask me why, it's just that way with our boats (C34s). Makes getting them off a real headache, and, as you've learned, just not worth it. Take a nice fall day and six pack of your choice and have fun playing with the rubber gloves!
most winches are bedded with an adhesive, rather than a sealant. don't ask me why, it's just that way with our boats (C34s). Makes getting them off a real headache, and, as you've learned, just not worth it. Take a nice fall day and six pack of your choice and have fun playing with the rubber gloves!
Brian D Can't speak for winches other than Lewmar, but that MFGR says don't even think of using grease on the pawls of their winches, use light machine or motor oil. Lewmar has a heavy grease for the gears, but even that is used sparingly to avoid having it drip onto the pawls. They say to maintain their winches (disassemble clean and lub) three times during each sailing year.
wd-40
just a note to remind you that wd-40 is not a lubricant. WD stands for wayter displacement..itr is a drying agent. To lubricate use lite oil or grease. vBob
just a note to remind you that wd-40 is not a lubricant. WD stands for wayter displacement..itr is a drying agent. To lubricate use lite oil or grease. vBob
I second that
I also use motor oil on the pawls and springs. grease attracts dirt and turns into mud so just use a small amount of grease on the gears. If it's been a long time you may need something like lacquer thinner to cut through the mud.
I also use motor oil on the pawls and springs. grease attracts dirt and turns into mud so just use a small amount of grease on the gears. If it's been a long time you may need something like lacquer thinner to cut through the mud.
Use only light engine oil for lubrication.
This is directly from the Lewmar site - Greasing Never use grease to lubricate your pawls, as this can lead to pawls sticking in their pockets and disabling the winch. Instead, lubricate with a light engine oil. Use only a light smear of winch grease when lubricating ratchet tracks, gear teeth and bearings. Otherwise excess grease will be forced out and collect in potentially dangerous areas, such as pawl pockets.
This is directly from the Lewmar site - Greasing Never use grease to lubricate your pawls, as this can lead to pawls sticking in their pockets and disabling the winch. Instead, lubricate with a light engine oil. Use only a light smear of winch grease when lubricating ratchet tracks, gear teeth and bearings. Otherwise excess grease will be forced out and collect in potentially dangerous areas, such as pawl pockets.
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