Lewmar 48ST Winch

[fishbait58]

I've noticed that one of my cockpit mounted Genoa winches gets almost impossible to crank in high or low gear under load, especially when trying to get close hauled. My starboard side winch can do it with relative ease compared to the port winch.
I've taken it completely apart and cleaned all the bearings, gears, pawls, springs, etc and reassembled with proper lubrication and cannot seem to find the culprit.
Any thoughts? Thanks


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[chris mac]

When you took it apart and cleaned, did the bearings move freely?
I just rebuilt mine, the Po left it taken apart, only missing the lock ring. It took some work, soaking and rolling the bearings around to loosen and remove all the old grease and debris. Once done and regreased, it's working much better.
Might be worth a try to soak in a grease cutter.

[fishbait58]

Yeah I went through them pretty good but I'll take them apart again and go through everything. Thanks.


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[TheOffice]

Pbblaster works well on dirty bearings.


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[Stumble]

First I would soak everything, not just the bearings in a pail of diesel for a day. It's a very good solvent and cheap so you can justify enough to submerge the entire winch (except outer drum). Once the solvent bath is over, then try PB on anything that may still be stuck.

[Cheechako]

Take a look at the bore of the bearing mating surface inside the drum... make sure it's not all galled up.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by fishbait58

I've noticed that one of my cockpit mounted Genoa winches gets almost impossible to crank in high or low gear under load, especially when trying to get close hauled. My starboard side winch can do it with relative ease compared to the port winch.
I've taken it completely apart and cleaned all the bearings, gears, pawls, springs, etc and reassembled with proper lubrication and cannot seem to find the culprit.
Any thoughts? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Ensure the spindle mounting screws are tight. They can loosen off and then the spindle becomes non-concentric with the drum. Loose spindle screed can be very dangerous if the it lets go under load. Use loctite on screws when re-assembling.