Servicing Jib Winches on Hunter 40.5- HELP

[smokey73]

My Jib winches are in desperate need of servicing. The grease is more like glue and varnish than grease.

I serviced both cabin top winches with no problem. They are smooth as silk now.

The problem I'm having is that on the Jib winches the large gear is facing the inboard side and there is not enough clearance to remove the gears without removing the whole winch frame. Seems like a terrible design. Are your's this way?

It seems if the frame were installed so the smaller gears would be facing inboard you could remove the gears without removing and having to bed and re-seat the frame.

First question: Are the attachment threaded parts that receive the screws that hold on the frame "captive" - that is if I remove the large screws holding the winch frame will I be able to re-bed and reattach the frame without too much of a problem.

Second question: Can I rotate the frame so the smaller gears are inboard and if I do that will I be able to remove them so servicing can be done without having to remove the frame in the future.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Dan,

Attached is a Lewmar service manual for the Ocean Series winches.

Also here is a link to service videos from the Lewmar website:

http://www.lewmar.com/support-instal-vid.asp

 

[smokey73]

Problem in clearance to remove the gear, not how to service

Thanks Rich, I hadn't seen the video but that is exactly how I serviced the cabin top winches.

The problem is not how to service the winch. The problem is that the way the frame for the jib winches is mounted the large gears will not come out without removing the whole frame. The clearance between the frame and the edge of the fiberglass coaming is too close and the gear simply won't come out. Is yours mounted that way or is the small gear facing the inboard so there is room to get it out?

In any case, I will have to remove the whole frame of the winch to get the gear out and that doesn't seem like it should be that way. What a terrible piece of engineering on Hunter's part if that is the case. I didn't look at the mounting screws very well to see if they are evenly spaced so I can just rotate the frame. I sure hope so. Servicing is relatively straight forward but the frame removal/re-bedding each time I have to service those winches is a PITA.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Dan,

I serviced my winches a year ago and I don't remember how they were orientated. I also don't remember any issue like you speak of. I'll check my picture files and see if I have any mounting orientation info.

 

[smokey73]

Any other 40.5 owneres out there - Winch Frame orientation

Dan,

I serviced my winches a year ago and I don't remember how they were orientated. I also don't remember any issue like you speak of. I'll check my picture files and see if I have any mounting orientation info.

Thanks Rich - Obviously you don't have the same problem or you would definitely have remembered having to remove the frame and then re-bed it. I didn't take pictures of when I had it apart but the next time I get there I'll take some shots. I ashamed to take a picture as bad as the grease buildup is on the gear. Maybe that is why it has built up so bad. I just don't see a way (with how my winch frame is oriented) the big gear can be removed without removing the frame. I sure hope I can rotate the frame and make this an easier routine maintenance item rather than a "project".


Dan

 

[woodster]

look at GB on this page and that may answer your concerns about how and why the winch was mounted....http://www.lewmar.com/\assets\img\dataset\Manual-B13124-Evo-Winch-Fit-Iss1.pdf

 

[uncledom]

Lewmar's install instructions for Ocean series

Fitting Your Winch
To achieve the best bolt and output gear support to optimise performance,
we suggest you fit your Lewmar winches in the following manner:
1. Remove the drum.
2. Locate the winch base to achieve the best possible bolt support (see
diagram), and ensure that gears can be removed for servicing.
3. Mark the location of the bolt holes (see photo).
4. Remove the winch.
5. Drill the holes.
6. Apply bedding compound to the under side ensuring that each bolt is
bedded/insulated, but keeping the gear spindles clean and any drain
holes clear. Fit an insulation gasket if the winch is mounted on aluminium,
or a similar metal foundation.
7. Bolt the winches into place, progressively tightening the bolts.
8. Clean off surplus bedding compound.
9. Refit the drum.
10. Check that the winch is operating correctly.
Remember:
Winches are designed to generate very high loads and this is stored
as energy you cannot see. Always release the load by easing off turns
on the rope drum with great care.
 Always place three or more turns of rope on to drum to ensure easy
and safe handling of winch.
 For very high loading add extra turns for safety.

I thought I had remembered this, the large gear should be on the outside so that the load turns right at that gear. That's how it looks drawn any way.

refer to the PDF

 

[smokey73]

Mine is far from that

Fitting Your Winch
To achieve the best bolt and output gear support to optimise performance,
we suggest you fit your Lewmar winches in the following manner:
1. Remove the drum.
2. Locate the winch base to achieve the best possible bolt support (see
diagram), and ensure that gears can be removed for servicing.
3. Mark the location of the bolt holes (see photo).
4. Remove the winch.
5. Drill the holes.
6. Apply bedding compound to the under side ensuring that each bolt is
bedded/insulated, but keeping the gear spindles clean and any drain
holes clear. Fit an insulation gasket if the winch is mounted on aluminium,
or a similar metal foundation.
7. Bolt the winches into place, progressively tightening the bolts.
8. Clean off surplus bedding compound.
9. Refit the drum.
10. Check that the winch is operating correctly.
Remember:
Winches are designed to generate very high loads and this is stored
as energy you cannot see. Always release the load by easing off turns
on the rope drum with great care.
 Always place three or more turns of rope on to drum to ensure easy
and safe handling of winch.
 For very high loading add extra turns for safety.

I thought I had remembered this, the large gear should be on the outside so that the load turns right at that gear. That's how it looks drawn any way.

refer to the PDF

Well, mine is wrong on two counts. First, the winch is not installed so that the gears can be removed without removing the complete winch. Secondly, the larger of the two gears (the output gear) is on the inside. Hopefully I can get things rearranged.

 

[artboas]

Couple of things

Well, mine is wrong on two counts. First, the winch is not installed so that the gears can be removed without removing the complete winch. Secondly, the larger of the two gears (the output gear) is on the inside. Hopefully I can get things rearranged.

I agree that the large gear should be facing outboard.
Secondly, on the 40.5, you should have access underneath the stbd winch through the cockpit locker.
I believe that there are aluminum plates glassed in underneath that are threaded
It is that way on the 49
Question
Can you service the winch without removing the gears by using a small brush & varsol?
Unless the pawl springs are broken, maybe this will work