Servicing winches - excessive grease?

KompetentKrew said:
Do the below look excessively greased, please?


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Related previous thread for those who missed it: Barient winches: 28 vs 28+ models - what's the difference?
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Any that gets on the deck is definitely excess....
 
One lesson I have learned is that when lifting the drum off, put a hand underneath. Otherwise the bearings that are between the drum and the spindle drop out unexpectedly and may bounce off the deck into the water. Ask me how I know!

TudorSailor
 
Roller bearings used in an application where rotational speeds are low do not need any lubrication, unless to inhibit corrosion. In fact the presence of oil or grease can prevent their correct function by permitting skidding. This in turn can lead to flats being formed on the rollers and then they certainly won't roll. Compared to the roller bearings in, for instance a car's transmission, the winch bearings are fairly soft. This is because they are manufactured from corrosion resistant materials which are generally incapable of being hardened to the requirements of those in a car's gearbox, which is a very different environment, where oil or grease is necessary to dissipate heat and prevent corrosion.
The Lewmar video is IMHO a very good demonstration of the maximum amount of lubrication that could be applied to a winch.
Mike
 
ghostlymoron said:
The video has completely changed my idea of 'lightly greasing'!
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I have to say that it reassured me - I found the video a few years ago with a new to me boat as was struggling to get the drum off and thought i had missed something so watched the video to ensure i wasn't being an idiot. ( I wasn't in this case!!) Without seeing this i would have over greased
 
jac said:
I have to say that it reassured me - I found the video a few years ago with a new to me boat as was struggling to get the drum off and thought i had missed something so watched the video to ensure i wasn't being an idiot. ( I wasn't in this case!!) Without seeing this i would have over greased
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I do hope you are not doing as he did because you will end up with zero grease. He's demonstrating a method, not doing the actual job.
 
Well, thanks for the thread, it reminded me that my winches were due a bit of TLC. Three 50 year old winches in Tuphnol(?) and bronze - Barton? They turn a lot easier now, with a firm click as the pawls go over the ratchet teeth. I even managed to get the pawls in the right way round after a couple of tries! The hard bit was getting the old grease out with white spirit (all I had) and a toothbrush
 
Stemar said:
Well, thanks for the thread, it reminded me that my winches were due a bit of TLC. Three 50 year old winches in Tuphnol(?) and bronze - Barton? They turn a lot easier now, with a firm click as the pawls go over the ratchet teeth. I even managed to get the pawls in the right way round after a couple of tries! The hard bit was getting the old grease out with white spirit (all I had) and a toothbrush
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It made me sort mine as well .....

I did have to fashion a DIY spring though as one did a WHEEEEEEEE I'M FREE !!

Must get round to ordering a packet of springs.
 
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