Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Delco21 on August 21, 2011, 04:06:14 PM
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Cleaning and oiling my winch
Is anyone willing to maybe show me or give me a good write up on how to properly clean and oil my winch?
Thanks
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Nobody? :P
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What make of winch?
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What sort of winch is it? What do you have on it for line? How long has it been on there?
ARe you looking to this just for a maintenance standpoint? Or is it acting up?
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Man, I should probably change out the oil in my old 8274. I am sure it has never been completed :o
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Man, I should probably change out the oil in my old 8274. I am sure it has never been completed :o
When I asked the guys at modern about changing it on my 8274, try said I should never have to. If you do decide to you have to split the case.
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Sorry yeah
T-rex 9000lb winch, steel cable and its mounted outside on my front bumper.
The line is a little tuff to pull out when free spooling and I dont think its ever been cleaned
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Spool it out, wash it with a pressure washer if it's covered in schmag, re spool it - make sure that it's under tension the whole time and that the cable never crosses over itself during the spooling process.
As far as oiling the cable, I'd suggest chainsaw bar oil or a new (not used) 5W motor oil. Put A LITTLE BIT on a rag, put on gloves, and then run the rag over the cable to LIGHTLY oil it.
Or just buy synthetic line. It's worth the money.
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Is there anything we should be doing to service the planetary/drum? My winch doesnt spend time underwater but a few little mud holes and going a little to fast has the thing caked :p
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Odds are that nothing has gotten in to where the gears are. Wash it thoroughly with clean water (from the outside) when you get back from the trail, and you're probably good. If you're really concerned, then google is your friend to find model-specific instruction to tear it down, clean it, re-lubricate it, and put it back together.
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Yeah haha, i guess as long as i'm not running it in a lake i should be fine :p
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I have rebuilt several Warn's and Ramseys they are all similar in the planetary design. If properly assembled, you should never get water in the gear case. My 8274 is a tank. I have never had it apart, and do not intend to until it dies.
The electrical components are another issue. You should clean your solenoid connections at least once in a few years. Check the communication wires for integrity. Remove the leads on the motor and clean any scum off with a small wire brush. inspect your power leads to the battery and make sure you do not have any rubbing issues.
On a side note - if you dont know which solenoid does what in the pack, label them with a a marker. Makes changing them easier.
As for cables, I dont care for synthetics. They are great for certain applications, but they dont fit my use. General care for either can be described as - In general keep cables clean and free of dirt. When winching, keep the cable out of the mud if possible. If you have high side loads be aware of bunching on the drum. You might have to stop, and re-spool. IF you do not you risk binding the cable in the which housing or bumper. After use cables should always be re-spooled onto the drum evenly. I like to set the parking brake on the first few clicks and monitor the wind as I pull against a tree. (With proper tree strap) Its a good idea to double check the point on the drum where the cable attaches. These are known for fatiguing and failing.
Synthetics are just like any other plastic and susceptible to UV degradation. Even applied UV protection will be removed once the cable is under load. Keep the line clean of any debris, and out of the dirt/mud. Use abrasion straps even if you think it wont rub. Consider buying a cover to keep the line out of the sun. Replace or splice when frayed.
Steel cables keep clean, and wound properly. Replace when signs of kinks or frays appear.