Seized Windlass Drum, Beneteau 361

[Skylark]

Thanks enormously to everyone who replied to my GPS crashing with engine start query. A lot of down to earth, common sense suggestions; very helpful.

So let me pose my other little problem!

The boat has a vertically orientated windlass which works just fine under power. However, the mechanical drum / clutch is completely seized and refuses to budge. I've had the centre shaft area soaking in penetrating oil for weeks but so far to no avail. I've tried a 3 leg puller only to have slightly deformed the aluminium drum outer edge by the force of each leg (oh dear). It has been suggested to use boiling water, to help desolve the salt and oxide at the steel shaft / aluminium drum interface. Then, perhaps a bit of additional heat to the drum and try the puller again.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem and/or know of a solution to removing it (without further damage).

The windlass is still fixed to the boat. Next step may have to be remove it and attack it on the workbench.

Your suggestions would be most apprecaited!

 

[billskip]

Best remove it from boat to work bench if you are going to play with heat (open flame) 1:- for safty. 2:-less wind about so you get better heating.

remember its Aluminium so apply your puller with minimum tension and then warm up the drum.

be careful as aluminium doesnt like too much heat..the best way to know the max temp you should go to IMHO is to coat the aluminium with a bar of soap (not detergent) and when the soap turns BLACK you are up to max temp. (very hot so dont touch) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Before you do all this double check that there is not a hidden circlip or grubscrew
holding it all together which you may not see until you get it onto the bench /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

You must consider the posibility that you may cuase more damage and render it useless!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif