Servicing Lewmar Winches

Easiest Winch to Service in the World

Frequency of servicing

Lewmar winches must be serviced regularly. Winches are required to carry deceptively high loads. Regular servicing, with attention to correct assembly and condition of parts, is vital to the safety and performance of your boat.
When
1. Two or three times during active sailing season:
Winches should be stripped, cleaned and re-lubricated.
2. At the end of each sailing season and before starting the new sailing season:
All Lewmar winches should be completely stripped, cleaned, thoroughly checked for damage and lubricated. (See Lewmar Volume 11 Winch Service Manual).

External cleaning of the drum.

Chromed Winches Wash drum regularly with fresh water and dry with a cloth. Non-abrasive liquid chrome cleaner can be used occasionally to remove dirt spots.
Alloy Winches Wash drum regularly with fresh water and dry with a cloth.
DO NOT use polishes or abrasives.
Stainless Steel Winches Wash drum regularly with fresh water and dry with a cloth. Non-abrasive liquid chrome cleaner can be used occasionally to remove dirt spots.

Servicing Winches

All components should be removed and cleaned with a degreaser during the course of servicing. If you do not have access to a degreaser, use half of an old plastic container with an old toothbrush. Cotton cloth soaked in paraffin or white spirit will also suffice.

Caution

Some Lewmar winches contain plastic components that may be damaged by inappropriate cleaning agents. Always check the manufacturer's directions before using any cleaning agents.

Greasing

Never use grease to lubricate your pawls, as this can lead to pawls sticking in their pockets and disabling the winch. Instead, lubricate with a light engine oil.
Use only a light smear of winch grease when lubricating ratchet tracks, gear teeth and bearings. Otherwise excess grease will be forced out and collect in potentially dangerous areas, such as pawl pockets.

Assembly

Winches must be reassembled in the reverse sequence to the order of dismantling. After reassembly, immediately check to see if the winch functions correctly.

Mounting
Winches must be fitted in the manner laid out in leaflet B2189 Fitting & Adjusting Your Winch Leaflet (See Suport section). Winches are self-draining, and care should be taken to ensure the drain holes are not obstructed.

Ratchet Gears Pawl Engagement
When assembling ratchet gears, check pawl engagement as shown to the right. Incorrect assembly will lead to back winding of the winch. This is very dangerous, so extreme care should be taken.

Know your winch.
1. Top Cap
2. Feeder Arm
3. Collet
4. Upper Crown
5. Stripper Ring
6. Lower Crown
7. Spring
8. Spring Cup
9. Main Spindle
10. Drum
11. Roller Bearing Assembly
12. Drum Washer
13. Gear Spindle Sleeve
14. Pawl Gear
15. Gear Spindle
16. Center Stem
17. Pawl Spring
18. Pawl
19. Ratchet Gear