Servicing winches - excessive grease?

[mjcp]

No tips/tricks on getting this apart?

Why is it such an apparent PITA design when the sheet winches were so easy?

Come on now, you didn't think getting your Doctorate in Marine Gynaecology would be that easy did you? Curve balls are part of the internship.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... The Mother Of All Screwdrivers for the big slot ... Tricks?

The bits for that size are called "drag link screw driver" or "drag link bits". Available in many sizes. For example: -

Laser Tools 9118 Drag Link 1/2''D Screwdriver Socket 19mm For HGV Ball Joints | eBay UK