Winch Rebuild

[Ronbye]

I just picked up a spares kit for my Lewmar 2 speed winch. The rebuilding of my winches is one of my top jobs this spring as they have never been serviced to the best of my knowledge. What should I use as a an oil or grease to put it back together. The Lewmar manual indicates winch grease, but what is winch grease really? I personally like white lithium grease. Any recommendations.

[sailingdog]

I'd go with Lewmar's winch grease... it's not all that expensive a tube, and a tube goes a long way... and it probably has different anti-corrosion additives for the marine environment.

Grease the bearings, but don't grease the pawls. If you grease the pawls, they'll start to stick and the winch won't work properly. Use a light oil for the pawls.

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by Ronbye

I just picked up a spares kit for my Lewmar 2 speed winch. The rebuilding of my winches is one of my top jobs this spring as they have never been serviced to the best of my knowledge. What should I use as a an oil or grease to put it back together. The Lewmar manual indicates winch grease, but what is winch grease really? I personally like white lithium grease. Any recommendations.

White lithium is the right stuff for the bearings and weight bearing surfaces. Use only a light oil on the pawls.

Put all the parts into a bucket with lamp oil/kerosene, scrub clean with a toothbrush, then dry with a cloth. See http://www.harken.com/winches/Harken...hesmikelee.php

[dorourke]

I too have two speed winches from lewmar. I bought a rebuild kit for lewmar from west marine. It took all of about fifteen minuts a piece to clean and lube them. Sailindog is right; don't grease the pawls, the oil provided is perfect for them, otherwise they will stick and you will have problems when it counts. Winches are made to be simple but very reliable, it's worth the cost of using the recomended lubricants.

[Ronbye]

Thanks everbody, The article from Harken was excellent. I just found out that I will need another rebuild kit. So I just ordered that. When the snow finally goes I will service the two winches I have. One question I forgot to mention. The chrome surface is worn off from the drum. Is it worth my while to get the drum re-chrome or is there another finish that could be applied?