Loffrans (Royal?) Windlass maintaining

[pcatterall]

Another job I should do!! I have the manual and it implies 'pull all the bits out from the gypsy end, wash in water, grease and refit'
Is that basically it?
Just a bit confused hence my ? mark after 'Royal' when the gypsy is removed there appers to be some sort of guide prong preventing further part removal. I can easilly remove this but wondered if there was anything else I should watch out for.
Cheers

 

[ghostlymoron]

I've just renovated one. The previous owner had given up on it being unable to pull the main shaft out. I removed it with the aid of 14lb sledge hammer. Hopefully you'll not need to resort to such drastic measures. Best to take it completely apart once a year or the different materials (brass, stainless, alloy) can weld it together. Clean all gunge and old grease off, re-grease and re-assemble. Useful diagrams etc here.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?351553-Seized-Windlass&highlight=lofrans

 

[pcatterall]

Cheers, thats a useful thread, didnt see that on my search. I recall, now, you telling me about 'your' windlass. I guess if the cleaning is done on a regular basis then all those problems .....hammers, pullers etc may not occur? I didnt know about the bottom locator bolt so may have bee hammering in vain. I will recce and see if it is easy to remove the whole unit.
Cheers

 

[Gordonmc]

I didnt know about the bottom locator bolt so may have bee hammering in vain. I will recce and see if it is easy to remove the whole unit.
Cheers

Indeed. You can't withdraw the inner gubbins without first removing the bottom hex which is, in effect, a stub axle. It is a mirror to the top hex, often mistaken for an oil filler.
Best to get the whole unit on the bench.
It is not often that I give up on kit but in retrospect the Royal will go the next time I have problems.

 

[prv]

I guess if the cleaning is done on a regular basis then all those problems .....hammers, pullers etc may not occur?

Certainly hope so. I've just dismantled, cleaned and greased the windlass on our new boat, for probably the first time in its life. Lots of hammering, plus-gas, pullers and pry-bars required, and the old grease had set like cement. An extensive cleaning session on the patio at home, with white spirit and scotchbrite, and it's gone back together like new. From now on an annual strip and clean should be a half-hour job at most.

(Completely different type to the Lofrans, so no advice to add to this thread.)

Pete

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks all, job done, I just need to get the big scrap on the saloon table hidden before the boss sees it!!
Only difficult bit wasgetting the inner clutch bit off, found 2 claw hammers usefull.
Suprisingly all was good and clean inside. But at least I know how to do it now!!
Cheers

 

[neilf39]

Just started on my lofrans on my new boat. Totally seized as it apparently had not been used for a year. After two evenings got all the screws out of the faceplate. 3 I ended drilling out. If you use a slightly oversize drill so the head comes off it leaves enough of a stub to file flats on so you get the rest out with an adjustable spanner. Saves having to re-tap for bigger screws. Problem now is I can't get the bit for the handle off the gear as I don't have a hub puller. Is there any other way? If not then I guess a trip to the motor factors is required.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Just started on my lofrans on my new boat. Totally seized as it apparently had not been used for a year. After two evenings got all the screws out of the faceplate. 3 I ended drilling out. If you use a slightly oversize drill so the head comes off it leaves enough of a stub to file flats on so you get the rest out with an adjustable spanner. Saves having to re-tap for bigger screws. Problem now is I can't get the bit for the handle off the gear as I don't have a hub puller. Is there any other way? If not then I guess a trip to the motor factors is required.

When I renovated the completely seized one in my possession, I had the same problem. You can't get a puller under the bit that takes the operating handle. I took the bull by the horns and gave it a sharp clout with a sledge hammer which did the trick. You have to remove the windlass from the boat and remove both top and bottom stub axles first. Protect the end of the shaft with a brass dolly or you'll bell out the end of the shaft (as I did). I bolted the windlass down to a plank to stop it moving.