Posted by Jerry in Id on Saturday, March 25, 2006 at 10:30PM :
Today I opened up the winch I bought to install on my '48 PW. Thank goodness I bought it before the previous owner abused it any more. It apparently had leaked the oil out and was refilled with about 1/3 cup of lube grease, which wasn't really doing the job and never would have. I took it all the way down to the worm and the bull gear and shaft and everything is in good shape. I will be ordering the usual parts from VPW, Gasket and seal set, shifter assembly, and a couple of parts that were welded that I don't want to use again. Winches are like faithful old dogs, and they are so often treated like crap. When they get tired they should be cared for, seals replaced, not pumped with grease. Grease works its way away from the parts that need lubrication, leaving bearings and gears essentially dry.