Help replacing rope clutches

[weinie]

I replaced all the cabin top cleats with Garhauer rope clutches a number of years ago. The holes aren't going to match up with your old one anyway... and, in my case, they were in the wrong place. You want the clutch a foot or more in front of the winch. I moved the winches as far aft as possible, then installed the clutches appropriately.

In your case.... remove the stopper however you can... heat, sawzall, grinder... whatever... because you will undoubtedly need to drill a new set of holes. Grind the bolts down to deck level and cover with resin, then gel or paint. Through bolt the new clutch, using big washers as backing.

That's a lot of work!!!

 

[weinie]

I think I'd be trying to disassemble the clutch and get or make replacement parts. It can't be harder than taking the mounting bolts out and futzing with drilling new holes.

This would seem like the best route to go. However, The manufacture, rigrite, does not talk to you on the phone unless you pay a "consultation fee". They also do not list an email address. Go figure.

And upon inspection, the parts don't seem to be worn. It's just that the replacement parts will be almost as much as a new spinlock. I just wish i could get the old clutch off to put a new spinlock on.

 

[kito]

If you want Spinlocks and don't want to mess with removing the old one then just leave it and mount your new one next to it. It may still have some use. Btw, keep a watch on Ebay for Spinlocks. I just picked a "new in box" Spinlock XTS/2 double clutch for $31. Probably the best deal I ever got on Ebay.

 

[Joe]

That's a lot of work!!!

Heh,heh.... you have a flair for the obvious, my Cat 27 brother. Removing the frozen bolt is the work. The rest.... relocating and drilling new holes, prepping them and installing the new hardware... is a JOY!

 

[Scotty C-M]

Kito has a good idea about just adding another another rope stopper.

The other idea about using more PB Blaster over several days, and trying the impact driver is also a good idea. That's why they use slot head not phillip's head bolts, you can use a lot of force on them using that impact driver, without stripping the heads. Good luck, and let us know how this comes out.

If you are able to get it free (when you are able to get it free), bolting the line stopper into the aluminum plate , by tapping new threads, is plenty strong.