Lewmar winch service

[Parmesan]

My yacht has Lewmar Wavegrip self-tailing winches throughout (the ones with four screws in the top cap). I am not sure when they were last serviced, so have just taken the drum off a couple of the winches to check their condition. My plan was to put them back together and service the lot in a week or two when I have more time.

The first winch (a Wavegrip 16ST) came apart and reassembled fine. However, when I tried one of the main winches winches in the cockpit (a Wavegrip 43ST), there was a problem.

When I have tried to put the collets and top cap back on the winch, they don’t seem to fit. The collets are semi-circular with a tab which goes into a slot in the main spindle. The two collets have to be quite close together to get the top cap on over them and line up with the screw holes (see picture). However, the slots that they go into doesn’t seem deep enough and this means that there is a gap between the collets and the top cap won’t fit over them (other picture).

Is there something that I am missing here? Is there a technique for getting the collets and cap on? I have cleaned the dried-in grease on the collet and there doesn’t seem to be any debris in the slots in the main spindle. It seems like the tab on the collet is going in to the full depth of the slot, so I don't want to give them a tap with a hammer. I didn't take the winches apart - only took the drum off for inspection.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GD_Chi]

I have the same winches and have had the same problem. The collets locate in two different parts of the winch, the bronze centre stem and a groove in the stainless steel main shaft. Yours is probably only located in the bronze centre stem. Just lift the main shaft a fraction of a mm by putting your finger down the star shaped hole and it should all go together again without any force.

 

[Parmesan]

Thanks. That worked perfectly. I think it might have been clear if I had disassembled the winch completely, but I only popped the drum off for a quick look.

 

[wonkywinch]

I enjoyed stripping the winches on my boat to clean/lube them but discovered most of the crud could have been avoided by fitting covers as the difference between the one's exposed at the helm and the one sheltered by the sprayhood was remarkable.

After I finished, I bought a set from an Ebayer and very good they've been too. No connection - just a happy customer - Winch Covers | eBay

 

[johnalison]

Twenty years ago we did a fun regatta in Germany. In addition to the points gained from sailing, we got marks for two evening competitions, one being a whisky tasting, and the other a timed Lewmar winch reassembly, actually a 43ST, presented by a Lewmar representative. Of the 40 competitors, I came 4th. It was interesting how many owners had never dismantled their winches and although the agent had demonstrated how to reassemble, the trick of lifting the centre spool was not known to many of them and they struggled, like the OP.

 

[wonkywinch]

The kitchen worktop. Like watchmaking for people with fat fingers!

 

[John_Silver]

Saw this trick today. Will be copying it!