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Easy and quick
If they are Lewmar brand- you just take off the ring that surrounds the opening on top around the handle socket (unwinds like a flat key-ring) and carefully/slowly lift the drum off. One trick is there is often a white plastic "cam" on the side of the inner post that holds the inside tube that has the winch handle socket- you have to gently pry that out to pull that assembly off. Wipe everything down to remove water and sand etc and re-grease with Lewmar or (slightly cheaper) Harken winch grease. Re-assemble. You need to sometimes fold the little pawls in and hold them (esp the top set) when re-assembling. Best to not drop parts (esp springs/pawls) overboard. About a 1/2 beer job for the whole set. Erik
If they are Lewmar brand- you just take off the ring that surrounds the opening on top around the handle socket (unwinds like a flat key-ring) and carefully/slowly lift the drum off. One trick is there is often a white plastic "cam" on the side of the inner post that holds the inside tube that has the winch handle socket- you have to gently pry that out to pull that assembly off. Wipe everything down to remove water and sand etc and re-grease with Lewmar or (slightly cheaper) Harken winch grease. Re-assemble. You need to sometimes fold the little pawls in and hold them (esp the top set) when re-assembling. Best to not drop parts (esp springs/pawls) overboard. About a 1/2 beer job for the whole set. Erik
Probably Maxwell's?
I assume that they are Maxwell's. I did it on my old H'31 several years ago. Not too difficult. Just make sure that you place something around the winch base so you do not lose any parts. They are just about impossible to find replacements.
I assume that they are Maxwell's. I did it on my old H'31 several years ago. Not too difficult. Just make sure that you place something around the winch base so you do not lose any parts. They are just about impossible to find replacements.
If they are Maxwells..
... there are diagrams for them in the Reference Library under "Resources" on this page. The first time I did mine, I used my digital camera and took pictures of each stage as I took them apart in the event I needed to remember how they go back together. I used mineral spirits to clean the parts and then sprayed lithium grease on the gears/race/spindle to keep things moving.
... there are diagrams for them in the Reference Library under "Resources" on this page. The first time I did mine, I used my digital camera and took pictures of each stage as I took them apart in the event I needed to remember how they go back together. I used mineral spirits to clean the parts and then sprayed lithium grease on the gears/race/spindle to keep things moving.
Take pictures for sure....
and watch out for the little springs. Those are the only really small parts to worry about. Go slow, play with the mechanism as you work on it, and you'll soon understand how it works. Then, when you put one together backwards - as I did - you'll be able to pop the top off, unscrew it, flip a gear over, and regain a little bit of the face you lost in front of your wife and kids. ;D I think there's a company in Australia that makes parts for Maxwell winches. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
and watch out for the little springs. Those are the only really small parts to worry about. Go slow, play with the mechanism as you work on it, and you'll soon understand how it works. Then, when you put one together backwards - as I did - you'll be able to pop the top off, unscrew it, flip a gear over, and regain a little bit of the face you lost in front of your wife and kids. ;D I think there's a company in Australia that makes parts for Maxwell winches. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Don't put grease on the pawls
First off, cut a hole in the bottom of a cardboard box to match the diameter of the winch base. Put the box over the winch to catch any small parts that fly off during disassembly or fall off during reassembly. Secondly, never grease the pawls. They need to snap back quickly and the grease slows them down and can eventually harden or gum up and stop the pawls from moving through their complete path. Tom s/v Orion's Child
First off, cut a hole in the bottom of a cardboard box to match the diameter of the winch base. Put the box over the winch to catch any small parts that fly off during disassembly or fall off during reassembly. Secondly, never grease the pawls. They need to snap back quickly and the grease slows them down and can eventually harden or gum up and stop the pawls from moving through their complete path. Tom s/v Orion's Child
There has to be a better way!
I looked at the break down of the winches and to be quite honest they scare the crap out of me! I am really hesitant to even start working on them. so many small pieces so many pieces to lose
I looked at the break down of the winches and to be quite honest they scare the crap out of me! I am really hesitant to even start working on them. so many small pieces so many pieces to lose
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