Lewmar Ocean 40ST Winch Binding - Ideas Please

[flightlead404]

I have two Ocean 40ST winches on my cabin top. They have slightly different style feeder arms, which I will call "newer" and "older" based on the level of pitting in the chrome and pictures on Lewmar's site.

Upon reassembly following a clean and re-lube I observe the "new style" feeder arm does not lay down properly against the top of the center stem flat with the collets. Because of this when the top cap is tightened (I am not overtightening) this causes the feeder arm to bind and drag against the top crown of the self tailing jaws causing considerable drag.

I notice there is a slight geometry difference between the old and new style feeder arms.

Does anyone have any hints to correct this issue?
Was there a corresponding*change in the self tailing jaws to accommodate*the newer design?*
What can be done to prevent this binding?

FWIW I have swapped parts back and forth between the binding and non-binding winch and the problem definitely lies with the feeder arm.

I have no idea if this was a problem before, the winches has long deferred maintenance and were quite draggy before cleaning.

 

[jssailem]

Hi Flightlead, I have worked on a number of winches. I am having trouble visualizing the winch issue.

You have several linked words in your query that take me to the Cruiser'sForum. Not sure why.
Perhaps you could show some images of the offending arm.

These winches have a required orientation of the arm on the winch. Is it possible that during the assembly something is not properly fitted?

 

[Joe]

If you don't have any luck here, you might consider contacting Lewmar customer service. Might get lucky.

 

[flightlead404]

If you don't have any luck here, you might consider contacting Lewmar customer service. Might get lucky.

That was my first attempt. Nothing useful.

 

[flightlead404]

Hi Flightlead, I have worked on a number of winches. I am having trouble visualizing the winch issue.

You have several linked words in your query that take me to the Cruiser'sForum. Not sure why.
Perhaps you could show some images of the offending arm.

These winches have a required orientation of the arm on the winch. Is it possible that during the assembly something is not properly fitted?

weird will fix, pics coming.

 

[flightlead404]

IMG_0122 "new" style on bottom, IMG_0123 and IMG_0124 "new" on left, IMG_0125 correct fitment "old" style, IMG_0126 incorrectly fitting "new" style

 

[jssailem]

IMG_0122 "new" style on bottom

In this image "new" style" it appears the arm was cast with a little more depth to the center circle material. It appears that there is a ridge which raises the arm release a little higher above the wave grip that holds the sheet.

Looking at the Older unit there appears to be some metal wear likely friction.

Could the older one have had a washer that is missing?

Here is an exploded image of the Ocean ST40.

 

[flightlead404]

Problem solved. For posterity, the issue turned out to be the "nose" of the plastic stripper ring between the two self tailing jaws fouled with the cut away inside the feeder arm. This caused the feeder arm to fail to seat correctly.

The solution was to use a bit of sandpaper and a black to remove a little material from the end and side of the nose of the stripper and to bevel the end slightly. Works perfectly now.

 

[flightlead404]

View attachment 196932
In this image "new" style" it appears the arm was cast with a little more depth to the center circle material. It appears that there is a ridge which raises the arm release a little higher above the wave grip that holds the sheet.

Looking at the Older unit there appears to be some metal wear likely friction.

Could the older one have had a washer that is missing?

Here is an exploded image of the Ocean ST40.
View attachment 196933

thanks John. Its actually the new rather than the old that was having the problem. See solution above. You can see the slight different in the slot that accepts the nose of the stripper ring in the pics. Appreciate the help.

 

[jssailem]

Yes. I noticed that in addition to the slight differences of the heights of the stripper ring in the winches in pics 125 and 126.