[MarkofSeaLife]

When I say "moved upward", I'm talking about 2 millimeters. It's a Lewmar 42

Lewmar? Up 2mm?

Have you unscrewed the whole winch base from the fibreglass and removed the inner core? because that little sucker ain't often removed in general maintenance. From my memory theres two problems that can occur, one is a buildup of hard stuff that binds up the inner shaft, and the other is the spacers.... hang on, let me look at the parts diagram again... it was a few years since I did it.
It part 9 you want out and I think then you clean up 10,11,12.

Maybe someone else who has a Lewmar will remember or know what I am talking about.

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

In your first post you mentioned you cleaned the winches and went sailing and they slipped.
Were they slipping before you cleaned them initially? Or dont you know because you just bought the boat?

If they wern't slipping before the initial clean then somewhere, somehow you have stuffed it up. There must be a bit of dislodged grease or something.