Noisy old winches

[Badger]

I have got some old Lewmar genoa sheet winches. I always considered them rather charming with a very authentic noise. I have now had 3 people on the boat recoil in horror at the noise they make and enquire when they were last serviced, to which I do not know the answer. Should I get them serviced and will it quiet them down or are they meant to make that much noise ? Thanks.

 

[BruceDanforth]

You should be able to take the drum off and grease the works.

 

[Quandary]

Oil is best but needs to be done regularly, or you can get your wallet out for a little tube of Lewmar grease. Winches do not enjoy too much grease and it holds dirt and salt.
The noise in itself is not a problem it is just the pawls clicking but if you don't service your winches you should. Plenty of newspaper to set the bits on and check that there is a good spring on each pawl. If smothered in thick dirty grease take them home and put them in a bucket of paraffin (domestic heating oil) a bit less smelly than diesel which is also used. An old paint brush and disposable rubber gloves, make sure any grit is gone. I would change all the springs unless you are certain they are ok.

 

[ChattingLil]

Oil is best but needs to be done regularly, or you can get your wallet out for a little tube of Lewmar grease. Winches do not enjoy too much grease and it holds dirt and salt.
The noise in itself is not a problem it is just the pawls clicking but if you don't service your winches you should. Plenty of newspaper to set the bits on and check that there is a good spring on each pawl. If smothered in thick dirty grease take them home and put them in a bucket of paraffin (domestic heating oil) a bit less smelly than diesel which is also used. An old paint brush and disposable rubber gloves, make sure any grit is gone. I would change all the springs unless you are certain they are ok.

What are the springs called? ie what do you ask for when looking for them to buy? Can you get them in common or garden chandleries or is it specialist? I've been thinking about doing mine for a while, but didn't know where to start - so thanks for the thread.

 

[Quandary]

Most chandleries will carry Lewmar and other winch service kits (Harken, Gibb) and some will have the pawl springs on their own. As far as I know (but I await correction) the pawl springs are the same in all Lewmar winches but the number of pawls will vary.
If you are taking your winches apart for the first time lay the bits out carefully on said newspaper in the order they come out and be wary that some bearings or spacers may stay in the drum while others will stick to the shaft. Its worth downloading a diagram if you do not have one.
Lewmars usually are held together with a spring washer round the handle aperture ( which can fly into the drink when removing) while Harken have screws but they are not complicated as long as you are methodical.

 

[Alcyone]

What are the springs called? ie what do you ask for when looking for them to buy? Can you get them in common or garden chandleries or is it specialist? I've been thinking about doing mine for a while, but didn't know where to start - so thanks for the thread.

Pawl springs. When you see them, you'll think they'd be about thruppence each.

They are not.

 

[Searush]

Noise? Which noise?

If clicking - that's normal, but grease will deaden it slightly for a while. If sqeaking then it seriously needs lube & is probably grinding salt on the bearing surfaces.

They are simpler to service than you might think - but as already mentioned, be VERY careful to prevent springs flying out or pawls sticking inside drum & then dropping out & overboard.

 

[cobolt]

Pawl springs. When you see them, you'll think they'd be about thruppence each.

They are not.

Well.....they're not that far off, ours (Lewmar's) are 5p each.

Admittedly, + VAT

 

[cobolt]

I did a bit of digging around and, as I'm sure you can imagine, the drawings etc. for this winch were back in the "back of a fag packet" days. There is no service manual at all.

The springs are also different to the ones we have been using for the past 30-40 odd years, so if they are weak and/or broken I'm afraid you would have to knock some up to the original design.

Getting the drum off involves removing the 4 screws in the top, the drum then lifts off, but be careful of bits pinging out left, right and centre. It seems ease-of-service wasn't on the design priority list back then.

Pretty old these beasties, but nice to see they are still plugging on without issue!

Ben

 

[Alcyone]

Well.....they're not that far off, ours (Lewmar's) are 5p each.

Admittedly, + VAT

Really? The last time I bought some, I had to buy a pack of 6 pawls and 12 springs and it cost me £20 ish.

 

[cobolt]

Many stockists prefer to hold only service kits and easily displayable items, but part number 1260/7 is available and are individual pawl springs at 5p a pop.