Winch Maintenance

[campdog]

The Warne 9000 xd on the front of the Patrol started to play up and wouldnt free pool the cable. It would run out under power from the controller. I havent used it for a while so decided to pull it out and fix.I couldnt believe the amount of crap, water and rust in there.About 8 hrs of wd 40, degreaser and wet and dry sandpaper, followed by a tub of high temp waterproof grease and it is all back together working. I think another month or two and the whole thing would have been stuffed.It is something overlooked when doing maintenance. I am thinking of taking it off and making up a portable cradle and carrying it in the back and using when needed.That way it can be used to pull out backwards or even on another wehicle if you drown your 4b.
John

[ant]

Campdog,
It continues to amaze me how many people who have a winch fitted to their vehicle and don't think to check it occasionally. You are one of the few out there that have bothered to do the right thing.
Imagine the problems you would have faced next time you needed to use it hadn't you of checked it over first.

That is one of the main reasons that I personally prefer a hand winch. Sure it is harder work, but you can use it in a variety of ways and there is a lot less that can go wrong with it.

I should add that regardless of the brand or quality of the winch- they all need servicing.

[outbackjack]

I went to a major 4wd shop in Mackay and asked them to service the winch. They laugh at me and told me that they you dont service them?

As I am driving the vehicle back to Weipa this week, I thought I would do a check on it.

So I just spooled it out and back in.

[ant]

I went to a major 4wd shop in Mackay and asked them to service the winch. They laugh at me and told me that they you dont service them?

As I am driving the vehicle back to Weipa this week, I thought I would do a check on it.

So I just spooled it out and back in.

Sometimes that is all that is required. Generally, if you do run through water (or mud, etc) it is best to spool them out and then winch the cable back in under pressure as soon as possible.
I often wonder how many people actually get stuck then go to use the winch only to find that it doesn't work..........

[campdog]

I would get into the habit of regular service.
Each year I use my rego date to change all oils and filters etc and a good going over, now the winch is scheduled in. Its not a big job,just remember where all the bits go. I just ran upstairs to the computer, on the warn sight and a quick look at a parts diagram and back down stairs.
John

[geoffjy]

I was speaking to a guy last month that knows his stuff about winches. His advice was that after every big trip you should just quickly pull it apart and give it a good spray and service. That way when you do need, you know its going to work.

[Luke001]

Definatly a good idea. When I got the patrol second hand i thought to give the winch a test fire. It was making some gritty noises so I pulled it out and opened it up. The grease was more like wax, there was rusty bits, bits of dirt, mud and sand all through the gears. A few hours in a solvent bath, some moly grease and a new bit of paint for the outside and she was good as new. If your solinoid box is a little exposed its not a bad idea to open that up aswell and give id a bit of WD40. Its a pretty straight forward job, I just took lotsa photo's so I could put everything back the way it came out. I have been told not to touch the braking mechanise inside the drum, this apparently needs expert attention to put it back together. Also when taking the wires off the motor make sure you use a spanner to hold the connection opposing the nut.

[kingchevy]

Don't know if this is any help but I can service you're winch for you we do a lot for our customers. we also can upgrade the warn winchs for you I have also have detailed diagrams for the warn high mount winchs. I have a custom comp setup warn high mount winch so I know these winchs inside out.

[yetti]

[QUOTE=Luke001;9641] .... I have been told not to touch the braking mechanise inside the drum, this apparently needs expert attention to put it back together. QUOTE]

Gday Luke,

Mate, you aint wrong there. A couple of years ago I went to servive my xd 9000, to find that it was proper seized. So I stripped it right back only to find that the 3 peice drum brake wouldnt budge. Luckily, after 24hrs in a lanolene bath she came apart with a small tap of a hammer.(love the lanolin!!)

The drama putting everything back together was seating the armeture (is that the right term Sam?) back amongst the brushes. In the end 4 of us held everthing apart and after several attempts so was all good.

Point is, if you can avoid digging this deep, don't, it wasn't good fun for an amature like me. Also I replace the original warn solenoids with an aftermarket, waterproof set-up, which has now survived two wet seasons of being drowned regularly in creek crossings on my way to Bamaga.

cheers,
Bat

[Nedly]

Also I replace the original warn solenoids with an aftermarket, waterproof set-up, which has now survived two wet seasons of being drowned regularly in creek crossings on my way to Bamaga.

cheers,
Bat

Mate of mine has had problems with the original solenoids in the past, replaced with aftermarket waterproof set and end of problems.

Thanks Campdog,
I'm one of those that means to have a look a the winch and never seems to find the time.
That's one thing wrong with intentions, they're no good if not seen through.
I'll definately be servicing mine in the next week or two, and replce the solenoids.

[geoffjy]

The guy i spoke to said something about replacing the original solenoids with "Solid state" ones. Something like that i think. Work a lot better with water so i was told.

[kingchevy]

I would love to get the part number or a photo of these solenids I have heard of some other ones I think they are triton or something like that?? actually scrap that I found them on ebay....

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TITAN-WINCH-SOLENOID_W0QQitemZ160346433187QQcmdZViewItemQQptZA U_Car_Parts_Accessories?hash=item25556466a3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

[dingo]

Here's a little info for you about Titan solenoid packs and some others.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic160092.php

Also if you rebuild an old warn 4 solenoid pack you can use old Ford starter motor solenoids as they are the same rating as the Warn and fitment but a hell of a lot cheaper.

I have an old Warn 9,00lb which is approx 20 years old, been rebuilt twice and normally serviced (strip and clean) every 2 years.
The motor finally gave up and with the cost of a new motor at approx $500+ I got myself a new 12,000lb Ironman 12 months ago,so far no problems and it has seen some hard winching and drownings which killed a battery(it was old and ready to go)

I will fix the old Warn one day and mount it in a cradle so it can be made portable. It only ever let me down once and that was the motor. With a little TLC most winches like all things will last a while. Just gong to hate servicing the new one as I have to drop the winch bar to get the winch out. 26 bolts all up plus some spotlight and UHF antenna wiring to unplug and the winch wiring. So it would be a day long exercise so long as I don't start the can every 1/2 hour method.

[jafo74]

I was speaking to a guy last month that knows his stuff about winches. His advice was that after every big trip you should just quickly pull it apart and give it a good spray and service. That way when you do need, you know its going to work.

Just wondering then how often the oil needs to be drained and replaced in the gearbox on the Warn High Mount, if some body knows this and the type of oil to replace it that would be great.

[nomad91]

just wondering where is a good place to take my rig to get the winch serviced? kingchevy i saw you do it, but im a long way from weipa (unfortunately)

would a general mechanic do it or should i take it to ARB or a 4wd specialists mechanic?


cheers
THE NOMAD

[highlift80]

ARB in Canberra did mine a few years back, My old Auto Electrician in Melbourne also serviced 1 for me but most 4wd specialists should be able to help you out as well.