Jammed Winch Handles

[sandycohen]

Hi -

Does anyone have any tips for locking winch handles that get stuck in the winch when it's loaded? I thought the issue was the handle, but I replaced the handle and the new one sometimes get stuck also, although less frequently then the old ones. I am thinking about just spraying the handle male part and the winch female part with some wd-40 - acceptable?

The winches are lewmar self-tailers of unknown vintage and service history, but they work fine except for this issue.

[Blue Stocking]

Check if the little movable corners of the handle lock/release mechanism are not bent out of line. These sometimes get out of line from use, and jam in the locking groove in the winch. You might also use a right angle pick type of tool, and clean out the locking groove.