lewmar st44 worn base

[gcrothers]

Whats the consensus re repairing my winch.
The base plate and matching spindle plate that holds two gear wheels is worn
see here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Ut...ew?usp=sharing

and here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-_5...ew?usp=sharing

Is there any way to repair or is it a matter of finding the replacement part. It is an old winch about 15 years..

thanks
garry

[tkeithlu]

While I'm having some trouble getting oriented, it appears to me that the bearing on the spindle plate is egged, which probably means that it was used for a long time with no lubrication. On the other hand, the central bearing appears round and possibly greased.

If using this plate, after complete cleaning and new grease simply results in some play, but not the possibility of structural failure, I would use it, and plan on another disassembly at a convenient point in the future to see that the situation has not worsened. If, on the other hand, you are competing or headed into conditions in which a failure of the winch scares you, by all means replace it.

It's a judgement call situation, and I don't know your comfort level with worn parts. The manufacturer would definitely say "out of spec, replace."

[gcrothers]

Thanks for the reply.. That's kind of what my plan is.. But was hoping that someone had a suggestion to bore it and redrill, or perhaps fill in with weld and redrill. But it's s bit beyond my skill level.

[Nicholson58]

Try here

https://www.p2marine.com/lewmar-winc...RoCvR4QAvD_BwE

I see you may be in the Caribbean.
Chaguaramos, Trinidad. Ask around the used bits places at Power Boats and Peaks. Dave the Plummer at PB has random parts

Marin, Martinique. There are five chandlers and the one at the marina with the large lifts has an upstairs used parts and second hand shop including some complete winches.

St Martin. Several possible places, ask around the lagoon.

In general, nothing is tossed. Spare and second hand can be found

[gcrothers]

@nicholson58. Many thanks . Found the place in Marin. Couldn't find what I needed but bought some stuff that I don't need, it's a real Aladdin's cave..

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by gcrothers

@nicholson58. Many thanks . Found the place in Marin. Couldn't find what I needed but bought some stuff that I don't need, it's a real Aladdin's cave..

Good description. Dave the plumber in Trinidad saved our bacon with a replacement self tail disk for one of my obsolete 1984 Lewmar winches.

Particularly with the hurricane damaged boats there may be salvaged equipment to be found. Ask around as you cruise.

[sailormed]

You could drill oversized and insert a bushing drilled to size. Cheap

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by sailormed

You could drill oversized and insert a bushing drilled to size. Cheap

I agree. Considering you are in Marin. Find a machine shop. Deliver the winch including all fitting parts. One of those local talents there will be able to install a bushing or braze in the hole and re-bore to fit. Parts look dry. Do you service the winches regularly?

[Compass790]

Yes any 1/2 competent engineering shop should be able to repair it with weld & drill idea.
It must have been a noisy, hard to use winch to get that bad. No hand winch should get that worn in 15 years. If you grease & oil them every year or 2 they'll last for many decades.
Might be cheaper to get salvage winch as others suggest though

[gcrothers]

It is a electric 2 speed winch and was always noisey at fast speed.
I do do oil the winches every season, but never picked up on the worn bushing. My bad..
Ill go look for a machine shop ad see what they can do.

thanks everyone

[Nicholson58]

You say oil every season. They need extreme pressure lubricants. I have always used EP Molybdenum grease of the lowest viscosity available. Typically wheel bearing grease rated EP. Oil will run out of where you put it. The EP Moly greases stay put and the moly becomes part of the surface and lubricates even at very low speed and high load. Just don’t get anything too thick in the palls.

[gcrothers]

O.k will look at changing to ep moly.. tks again

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by gcrothers

It is a electric 2 speed winch and was always noisey at fast speed.
I do do oil the winches every season, but never picked up on the worn bushing. My bad..
Ill go look for a machine shop ad see what they can do.

thanks everyone

sorry my bad for inferring you don't maintain it & assuming it was a hand powered winch. I'd go to more than 1 machine shop & get prices if you can or need to.
Agree with what Nicolson 58 says. I've had real good results with red Mobil synthetic grease but can't remember the no.
As he says no grease on the pawls, otherwise they stick when it's cold. Not that you'll have that problem in the Carribbean

[tkeithlu]

This is a "get to know your winch" experience. Now you know how to maintain them all, including the best grease and no oil.