DIY winch servicing and thanks to the forum!

[Richard_Peevor]

I have two Lewmar 8 single speed and two lewmar 16 two speed winches on my small yacht. Two of them are not catching when grinding them. I have been let down twice by someone who is supposed to have been servicing them and instead I would like to do it myself.

Does anyone know of any useful references re: winch servicing either in textbooks or on the web that detail servicing and the parts etc..?

Are the lewmar servicing kits the way to go to get the parts or is that the expensive option?

None of them are selftailers.

I was going to see how I got on with the single speeds before attempting the two speed ones.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks as always

Richard

p.s I think this is post number 100 and thanks to the people on this site today I have just serviced my volvo MD5 diesel engine and it all went smoothly... I know it is an easy engine but it was something I wouldnt have tried a year or so ago.. so many thanks...

 

[Talbot]

PBO has done a couple of articles on winch servicing which explain the detail, so worth getting a copy from the copy service, and yes, a kit is the easiest answer to getting all the bits and pieces and sufficient grease for the job.

 

[DanTribe]

I usually find that it's the pawls and tiny springs which get gunged up with old grease and only need a clean, not necessarily replacement.
It may be useful to put a large clear plastic bag over the winch and your hands the first time you dismantle one, that way any tiny bits which ping off might be saved.
You know what to expect the next time.
I wash the bits in parafin or white spirit and then regrease very sparingly. I expect some experts will tell me that is wrong.

 

[ailsaboat]

There is a Lewmar winch service guide here http://en.lewmar.com/support/PDF/Winch_Service_Manual.zip

 

[stephenh]

If you have a self draining cockpit it is worth stuffing the outlets with rags / paper as this is where the pawls / springs will inevitably try to escape to.
Also an old towel is good for laying the bits out on - they won't slide off.

Good luck..

 

[KellysEye]

Yes buy the service kits before you start, it sounds like something may be broken and you may drop the springs etc.

ISTR the Lewmar site has a servicing section (it certainly has exploded diagrams) but it is really easy to service winches just make a note of the order you've taken them apart and which way the springs point etc

 

[gandy]

We did ours last winter, five Lewmar single speed size 10s. All they needed was a clean and lube, no springs or pawls needed replacing. Disassembly was just a matter of gently pricing off the circlip at the top, and lifting the drum off. No bits fell out of ours, but its as well to be prepared.

Lewmar web site has documentation with recommendations about oil or grease etc.

http://en.lewmar.com/support/PDF/Winch_Service_Manual.zip

 

[Skyva_2]

The Lewmar manual is good. It sounds as if the pawls are sticking in your winches; make sure you use light oil on them when reassembling, not the grease which is used elsewhere on the gears, barrels, etc.

 

[RupertW]

I did it whilst underway on a winch which had been stuck for months. I was very very lucky not to lose any bits but it was a mad scramble after the drum came off - and yes, a couple of bits went down the cockpit drains but were just about reachable with a screwdriver.

Like others, I found that a good clean was all that was needed.

 

[michael_w]

Despite what the manufacturers say, don't use grease. It will just kuck everything up - Imagine it - grease + salt + heat + cold = solidly stuck up winches. Do what the Royal and Ancient Order of Professional Boat Workers use - diesel.

Diesel will clean up any winch a treat, It's a perfect de-greaser cum light lubricant. In the future winch servicing will take minutes rather than hours.

If you've never done it before watch out for UFO pawl springs and keep the winches opposite number intact, in case you can't remember how it goes back together.

 

[kengill]

Just one tip to add.

*When sparingly using the grease do put a dollop on the pawls and pawl springs - that way when they want to spring off next time you strip the winch they won't leap off with gay abandon. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[crisjones]

Another tip for catching any flying pawls, springs etc:

Get a stout cardboard box about the same height as the winch and about two - three times winch dia across base. Mark and cut out circle in base same size as winch then place box over winch and tape it to boat before taking the winch apart, the box will catch any sray bits. Doing it this way you really will have to be very unlucky to loose any bits.

 

[doug748]

Listen to this man. . Last year I must have used some form of grease on a winch and it froze up solid. The best way to describe the state of the grease is like the molten tar you used to find at the edge of a road on a hot day. It was impossible to remove without getting the residue all over the shop!

 

[Talbot]

we use the quicksilver general purpose grease with teflon and reckon its the best marine grease on the market - works just as well on the outboard steerining ram as well!

 

[Richard_Peevor]

Thank you all for the advice.. I've got the lewmar manual downloaded and taken on board the advice re grease etc.. I like the box idea!

Many thanks

Richard