Posted by Vaughn [172.68.141.247] on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 09:59:20 :
We have a lot of discussion below, so I'm posting anew. I've posted two new pictures to the temp section on my site that clearly show where the link spring adjusting nuts are placed. There are no additional nuts either side of the fork to pull the brake away from the drum. The brake is intended to ride the drum all the time for safety reasons. Locking down the link only adds stress on the link at the nut point on the fork due the drum working back and forth on the drum shaft and an imperfect brake surface. However, if you feel you need to have the brake off the drum, knock your socks off, and add as many nuts as you feel you need. The Army Technical Manual clearly shows no additional nuts are used, the link floats in the fork.
The winch parts illustration shows the tempered thrust washers on both sides of the sliding clutch, which have no affect on the brake touching the drum.
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