Trouble removing screw in winch drum

[scurr]

Hi Folks,

Trying to service my harken 2 speed. The screw holding the drum rotates the drum. Putting some load on didn’t help. I’m inclined to put some wd40 on top of it and wait a while. But is that going to cause me problems say with the pawl oil or gear grease?

Cheers a first time winch servicer

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Hi Folks,

Trying to service my harken 2 speed. The screw holding the drum rotates the drum. Putting some load on didn’t help. I’m inclined to put some wd40 on top of it and wait a while. But is that going to cause me problems say with the pawl oil or gear grease?

Cheers a first time winch servicer

Try boiling water first which could have two results it could dissolve any salt that may have crystallised in the threads and causing them to be tight, it may well expand the hole sufficient to ease the threads. Worth a try.
Next try WD40 although a brake fluid acetone mix would be better, if it does get inside the winch you are servicing it so you should clean all parts and regrease anyway.
Other alternative is to carefully mount the screwdriver in the screwed and tap the handle end with a hammer whilst trying to turn the the screwdriver, you could try that first, it's more gentle than an impact driver and you can apply increasingly heavy hammer blows tilt gives up or not.

 

[Boater Sam]

WD40 is not a thread releasing fluid, its rubbish. If hot water will not do anything buy some PlusGas or other proper fluid.
Bouncing a hammer on the screwdriver is a good idea as is an impact driver if all that fails.

 

[scurr]

It’s the wd-40 penetrant I have.

I’ve tried tightening the screw to see if I could break it loose, that did get some movement, an 8th turn. I would assume I was doing something wrong but the coach roof ones under the dodger do unscrew. It’s just the 2 44’s that won’t. Suspect this is their first service since 2018.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Whatever you do don't butcher the screw heads or you are in for a world of pain.

 

[scurr]

so what I have at hand isn’t working. The only impact driver is my dewalt impact wrench which is probably overkill. Ah relaxing Sundays.

 

[Aja]

Hi Folks,

Trying to service my harken 2 speed. The screw holding the drum rotates the drum. Putting some load on didn’t help. I’m inclined to put some wd40 on top of it and wait a while. But is that going to cause me problems say with the pawl oil or gear grease?

Cheers a first time winch servicer

As others have advised, heat and or lubrication is the way to go. Maybe patience too.

I would try building a dam* round the screw head and dripping diesel onto the screw head. Before having another go remove traces of diesel and apply some heat to the part being held by the screw. This might take a couple of days but it works 90% off the time.

*chewing gum at a pinch

 

[William_H]

To stop the drum rotating wrap as many tuns of rope around the drum and tie off to something solid. Hopefully enough grip to help hold it. ol'will

 

[ghostlymoron2]

WD40 is not a thread releasing fluid, its rubbish. If hot water will not do anything buy some PlusGas or other proper fluid.
Bouncing a hammer on the screwdriver is a good idea as is an impact driver if all that fails.

I've used WD40 many times as a penetrative oil when nothing else is available despite the comments of nay sayers. Its often works although not as well as Plusgas.

 

[bluerm166]

To loosen the bolt on a previous harken drum and not having a large matching screwdriver that would cost up to £ 15 and be hard to check the fit anyway,I bought a £6 cold chisel with hex sides and ground the tip to a perfect fit in the bolt head.This hex body allowed use of an adjustable spanner to apply sufficient leverage to loosen.I can't remember the need to hold the drum.

 

[ashtead]

I wonder if the OP found a solution?

 

[Roberto]

The central screw is steel inside a steel winch base bore, it can come undone (unlike steel inside light alloy). I'd second try and blocking the drum from turning with several turns of rope attached somewhere, which I had to to sometimes in the past with one of my winches. Those screwdrivers with an hex section near the handle where you can use a wrench can help.

 

[scurr]

thanks for all the tips. I was away from the boat for a week.

I tore the handle on the last screw driver (rubber insets, I’m not the hulk obviously given the issue). So bought a new, albeit old fashioned one, with the hex bolster for using a spanner for extra power.

That, a week of penetrating oil and the winch prevented from turning with a line to a cleat worked.

Screw was a little stubborn turned a half turn then stopped again before cracking free.

Winch was a right state. The grease was more like glue.

Still one winch to go, but 3 done. Just ran out of time.