Winch circlips: how to remove and replace

[Neil]

I've just bought some new winches (Lewmar 16). I eventually managed to get the circlip off by means of two dinner knives, but I'm buggered if I can get it back on - is there some clever trick that I don't know about?

 

[MoodySabre]

Circlip pliers comme ca http://www.amazon.co.uk/Circlip-Pliers-Pincers/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n:1938971031

 

[sailorman]

I've just bought some new winches (Lewmar 16). I eventually managed to get the circlip off by means of two dinner knives, but I'm buggered if I can get it back on - is there some clever trick that I don't know about?

I assume its the spiral type rather than a circlip

start one end as it were & feed it on in a spiral movement around the groove

 

[Lakesailor]

Do you mean these? http://www.onboardwithmarkcorke.com/on_board/2009/01/winch-service.html

 

[macd]

I assume its the spiral type rather than a circlip

start one end as it were & feed it on in a spiral movement around the groove

Described to a "t". Should go on easily -- and come off next time with no more than a gentle starting pry at one end.

 

[Twister_Ken]

What Sailorman said. I use an electrical screwdriver as the prising implement.

Keep a finger on the circlip as you near the end of removal, otherwise there may be a small but discernible splash as it makes a break for freedom.

 

[macd]

Keep a finger on the circlip as you near the end of removal, otherwise there may be a small but discernible splash as it makes a break for freedom.

...less likely if you pop the winch handle in.

 

[PabloPicasso]

+1 for circlip pliers. Then when you have to change the winch pawls in the middle of a race or passage you'll be less likely to lose the circlip in pinging off into the waves like fashion. Come on, us the right tool for the job, they ain't that expensive and a lot less inconvenient than losing the circlip

 

[Stork_III]

+1 for circlip pliers. Then when you have to change the winch pawls in the middle of a race or passage you'll be less likely to lose the circlip in pinging off into the waves like fashion. Come on, us the right tool for the job, they ain't that expensive and a lot less inconvenient than losing the circlip

Circlip pliers do not fit spiral ring clips.

 

[rotrax]

+1 for circlip pliers. Then when you have to change the winch pawls in the middle of a race or passage you'll be less likely to lose the circlip in pinging off into the waves like fashion. Come on, us the right tool for the job, they ain't that expensive and a lot less inconvenient than losing the circlip

Except it appears that the circlip is a " Spiralox " type.

These are wound around the groove at least twice.

This covers the lower end of the circlip, making it impossible to use circlip pliers.

Small prying implements work best.

 

[Leighb]

If the winch spring has been removed often enough it is often possible to just use a finger nail, possibly only on smaller winches, certainly I could strip the winches on my One Design with no tools.

 

[Neil]

Thanks for all the replies! My fingernails have suffered! The problem I have is holding the underside of the spiral in place while I open up the top bit.....

 

[rotrax]

You need to ask that well known Spanish mechanic Manuel Dexterity to help.................................................