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Lewmar Winch Cleaning

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Jack Heaston
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/10/2004 : 19:35:19

Help!
I just went out to clean and regrease my two Lemar 16 single speed self-tailing winches only to find there is no obvious way to take them apart! No machine screws on top, no hex nut down the barrel, no circlip around the spindle - Nothing!
Surely nobody would sell a winch that one had to remove from the boat to take apart? The one on the starboard side is under a plywood access panel, but the port winch is "accessed" from the dumpster - sort of. I am not looking forward to having to remove them and rebed following cleaning and greasing.
Does anyone know the secret to getting them apart without removing them from the boat?
As always, your help is greatly appreciated.
Jack
83 FK/SR 3944

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skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 19:52:37

Stick you finger in the hole where the winch handle goes in. Push down with your finger, and pull up on the winch housing. As it comes up make sure you don't lose anything overboard.

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skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 19:54:28

OOOPS! That is what you do with a Barient. Sorry. Well, what the heck, try it anyway.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 22:04:15

The Lewmar maintenance kit I bought had a booklet explaining how to take each type of winch apart, did you buy a kit?
There are pdf files here.
http://www.lewmar.com/webcat/index.asp

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triley
Captain

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USA
251 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 22:50:54

The top screws off on mine. Be careful not to lose things when you take the winch off the center barrel.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 09:20:11

Hi Jack,

I've never taken my winches apart, but I got a tip from this Forum that I'm going to try if/when I decide to clean them.

As has been mentioned by everyone so far, there's a big risk of parts springing out or falling out and making their way into the drink. If you cut a hole in a shoe box the size of your winch, you can slip it over the winch while you work on it ... that way stuff that falls out ends up in the box.

Like I said, I can't take credit for the idea. I think Dave Bristle is the one who usually makes this suggestion ... and I'm sure he stole the idea from someone else!

Good luck with your project!

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 09:32:22

Hi Jack,

triley is correct - the top unscrews. Here's a link to an exploded view of the Lewmar selftailing winches.

http://www.lewmar.com/webcat/index.asp

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Jack Heaston
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 11:11:52

My sincere thanks to those that replied.
There is no top to screw off, as in the new-style Lewmar Ocean Series winches described in the manufacturer's website. My previous boat had four larger ST 2-speed Lewmars with machine screws on the caps. The Lewmar spinnaker winches had retaining clips on the spindles. I purchased Lewmar's "kit," with very useful pictures of the disassembled components and instructions to remove the screws or retaining clips, but never used any of the spare parts, so left it for the new owner. I used a plastic wash basin with a winch base sized hole cut out to capture errant parts, and appreciate the reminder. The shoebox is a better idea.
Anyway, I found a posting on boats.com discussing cleaning of Lewmar winches. It cautioned that "...some older Lewmars have to be removed from the decking to access the gear train." GREAT! It appears this is what I have.
I emailed Lewmar's customer service asking how one cleans this particular model without unbolting their POS winch from the deck. They, unlike many fine participants in this Forum, have not yet found it convenient to reply. Maybe I can con them into trading mine out this winter for a set of new two-speed models at a reasonable price?
Heading to Puget Sound tomorrow to see what surprises await when this "new to me" little beauty finally gets in the water. Will remove and clean the winches upon my return.
Thanks again for the replies.
Best regards,
Jack 83 FK/SR 3944

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 21:31:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Buzz Maring
 If you cut a hole in a shoe box the size of your winch, you can slip it over the winch while you work on it ... that way stuff that falls out ends up in the box.

Like I said, I can't take credit for the idea. I think Dave Bristle is the one who usually makes this suggestion ... and I'm sure he stole the idea from someone else!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Ya, it was probably from the Trailer Sailor board... I've done something similar for working on the engine, too. People at the boat club thought I was a genius! (People at my club make many expensive offerings to King Neptune--like the professional mechanic who donated a brand new alternator.)

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