Help! Recalcitrant winch

[Neil]

I have a Gibbs winch that is very stiff. I have taken off the circlip, removed the winch handle ratchet (pawl?), and the screw and washer. However, the body of the winch refused to lift off. Tried whacking it with a mallet. Tried to undo the nuts from underneath, but they are glassed over, and even when I expose a nut, the bolt just turns with the nut. I filled the 'cup' with diesel to let it soak (where does the water going into the winch handle hole drain to in normal circumstances?). I tried tying a rope around it and putting it over my shoulders, pushing up with my legs. What's left? Blow torch,? angle grinder and cut it off ?

Help!!!

 

[Iliade]

lash a lump of 2*4 to the winch to give you some leverage to rotate it. Get someone to lift while you rotate and the drum should come off. Beware of losing all the pawls spring etc as it comes up.

 

[Neil]

lash a lump of 2*4 to the winch to give you some leverage to rotate it. Get someone to lift while you rotate and the drum should come off. Beware of losing all the pawls spring etc as it comes up.

It will turn by hand (stiffly), without any 2X4. Is it the turning while lifting that does the trick?

 

[Neil]

Just found some instructions on the web for dismantling: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...4sryeGiuIiP3SgDRPSMI25w&bvm=bv.60444564,d.ZGU

The drum should have come off just with the screw and washer removed (though mine is not a star washer)