Problem with new Lewmar Evo 40 ST winches

[wizard]

Just bought two of these to fit to the boat. They are advertised as requiring no tools for servicing but I am having problems with the feeder arm. Spent a great deal of time trying to get it off after unscrewing the capture disc (resorted to levering with screwdrivers in the end) and then removing the collets, (they were a real pain to get out as well) .

Now that I have removed the drum to mark up the drill positions at the base I cannot get the feeder arm over the collets cos they stick out too far for the feeder arm to slot in position.

Any ideas? Thought I would ask here in case anyone has come across this before and found a solution.

Still waiting for a response after emailing the Lewmar tech department

 

[knuterikt]

Don't know this winch..
Have you tried to lift the drum a little bit up while putting the feeder in place?

 

[Billjratt]

I have the smaller winches but maybe the same issue. I found I had to jiggle the gold coloured collets (and the whole assembly up and down) around before they would slip properly back in their grooves. when you've done it once successfully, there will never be a problem again (says I)

 

[PlankWalker]

Had a problem with this winch once when a gorilla crew member bent the bale arm by not puting enough turns on the barrel,
Could this be the cause.

 

[macd]

As Billjrat says, the collets need to be fully home in their grooves. If they're not, the feeder cannot be installed. It should be straightforward.

 

[wizard]

Had a problem with this winch once when a gorilla crew member bent the bale arm by not puting enough turns on the barrel,
Could this be the cause.

Have not been fitted yet. Just removed the drum to mark out the holes for fitting.

 

[wizard]

As Billjrat says, the collets need to be fully home in their grooves. If they're not, the feeder cannot be installed. It should be straightforward.

Thats the problem they are fully home, so when you drop the feeder down it overlaps the collets by a good millimeter. The instructions say just lift the feeder off and replace afterwards. I had to use three covered screwdrivers and it took 5 mins to lever and work the arm off in the first place it was that tight. Clearly some machine forced the feeder in during production hence it was so difficult to remove.

The only thing I can think of is to file the back of the collets at each end until it fits.

 

[PlankWalker]

"The only thing I can think of is to file the back of the collets at each end until it fits."

Whooh there! got to be a simple solution.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Collets don't need filing, when refitting stick your finger into the shaft and lift it slightly, and the collets will fit fine. I've had my ST40's for 5yrs, and have never used tools to disassemble or reassemble.

 

[wizard]

Collets don't need filing, when refitting stick your finger into the shaft and lift it slightly, and the collets will fit fine. I've had my ST40's for 5yrs, and have never used tools to disassemble or reassemble.

Many thanks for the tip - the collets slip in further and allow the feeder arm to slot in albeit with a bit of wiggling. Its a pity Lewmar did not think to put that in the instructions for servicing it couls have saved all this hassle.

 

[SV LSL]

Wow - thank you so much for the tip about lifting the shaft ... you ended 2 hours’ worth of aggravation in sweltering heat! I owe you a beer ..