Opposite page: Here are the parts after drum will have two pawls (shaped like the Lewmar. Most Barients don’t have
a cleaning. Note the one pawl spring is “P’s”) each with a spring in it as well as any plastic parts, and Harken winches
missing, which was replaced. Also the a bearing or two inside and at least one will have some plastic washers. Care
roller bearings and a a washer are already washer ring. This Lewmar winch has should be taken not to clean any plastic
in the drum in this picture. two roller bearings inside, as do most parts with a solvent that could cause
Harkens; a Barient I worked on had damage. (Figure 6)
brush, an old toothbrush or other soft only one large roller bearing. (Figure Now comes the grubby part:
bristled brush, some kerosene, mineral 3, 4,) cleaning the parts with diesel or
spirits or diesel, lots of paper towels, Now you can pull out the gear kerosene and the toothbrush and/
rags, and some winch grease. You may spindle and remove the two ratchet or wire brush. Meticulously clean the
want to pick up a winch repair kit gears. The gear spindle has an oddly inside of the drum and every single little
from a marine store. These typically shaped head and is visible in the lower washer and spring as well as the big
are specific to the maker and will have center of the picture above (with a “important” parts. Wear appropriate
some spare parts and the grease you droplet of water on it). Barient winches gloves, not latex which will bag out
will need. It is a good idea to have a have a gear spindle with a cotter pin, something awful!
kit on board just in case you lose a part which requires a screwdriver or other Be sure to wipe clean and then dry
or you find something broken or worn tool to remove and then must be bent the parts really well before lubricating
that needs to be replaced. At any rate, to replace. An inferior design in my and reassembling. If possible let them
have everything available before you opinion, since bending and re-bending sit and dry for a few hours or even
start. the cotter pin can destroy it. (Figure 5) overnight. Never grease the pawls or gear
Every winch is a little different, so In the picture you can clearly teeth as it could cause them to stick. Apply
pay attention when taking yours apart. see two pawls, which only come in a a very light coating of grease to all the
The puzzle is not as mystifying as it couple of sizes (small or large) and are smooth surfaces that will make contact.
first appears, and there is no reason to interchangeable with the pawls on the You may apply a touch of machine oil
be intimidated. With the exception of inside of the drum, so there is no need to the pawls and gears if you wish. I am
washers, most winches cannot be put to worry about getting them mixed up. told racers use only oil for maximum
together incorrectly. If you are really Do take care when removing them to efficiency, but then they probably clean
worried that you won’t be able to get not let the little springs go flying! The them much more often than most of us
it right, snap pictures with your digital gears separate and the top one fits into cruisers.
camera as you go. a little groove on the bottom one. It When reassembling, just put
First, remove the circlip, a little is possible to put them back together everything back in the reverse order.
ring that coils around the top of the upside down, but not likely if you If the pawl spring has a bent and
winch where the handle goes in. (If you actually look at it closely. a straight leg, the straight leg goes
have Harken winches, they may have Now you are left with the center against the pawl and the bent one
a screw in the handle socket instead.) stem and spindle which lifts out after against the drum. The Lewmar shown
Lift off the the stainless top cap, the removing a small plastic crescent- here has springs with equal legs. If you
part with the manufacturer’s name. shaped part called the retaining are unsure of how the pawls go in, look
(Figure 2) key. Again, a fingernail or a small for wear patterns which can give you
Next, remove the black outer drum, screwdriver will do to pry it loose from a clue. If you look carefully, you will
which easily lifts right off, to reveal the either end. This is the only plastic part in see that the pawls have a square edge
inside of the winch and its working and a more rounded edge. The square
parts. While lifting the drum off the
6
edge should make contact with the
spindle, watch to make sure the bearing gears. Most importantly, never ever force
isn’t still adhering to the drum, only to anything when reassembling; the parts
slide out at an inopportune time. The should go together easily. If they don’t,
you probably are trying to put them
5
together incorrectly. Once you have
it all back together give it a spin, you
should notice it moves more freely and
the solid clicking sound of the pawls
will be sweet music to your ears.
Bio: Sky Myers lives on Camano Island,
Washington when she isn’t cruising the
NW waters aboard s/v ‘Nomadness” with
her partner, Steven Roberts. See her blog at
www.dramanauts.com and the boat page at
Figure 5: Ratchet Gears with spindle
Figure 6: The white plastic part is right
http://nomadness.com. Ms. Myers may be
removed. Note how the pawl’s square edge
in the middle. Remove it to release the
reached at sky@nomadness.com
fits into the gear.
main spindle.
48° No r t h , Ju N e 2009 Pa g e 41
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