Thread: magnum 9000 winch-no freespool

Get rid of the poxy little handle and drop in the larger knob from an XD warn the greater leverage works a treat.

Originally Posted by edddo

We had occasion to use the winch to drag a fallen tree off the track a couple of weeks ago. The free spool knob was too firm to move so I just reversed the cable out under power....no probs. Tonite I check it and rotated it to free spool position with the help of a spanner...however it still wouldnt freespool? Anyone have any thoughts on what to do about this....the unit did do a cape trip and has seen a bit of water as a result but not salt water

thanks

A winch service is in order here if it isn't too late We have had them seized so badly, 3 days soaking in the kero bath, mild heat and a press has failed to release them.
Water, fresh or salt, does untold damage to the planetaries and shafts if they are allowed to oxidise.(Rust) The trick here is to pull them down and clean/ lube once a year or more frequently if submerged at any time.
The freespool function is basically a release of the drum assembly from the gears, achieved by rotating the lever to allow the drum to become unlocked from the gear set. The drum will become locked to the gearset by rust/ corrosion if not inspected/ serviced at reasonable intervals or after wet use. Obviously this won't affect the operation of the unit, just the freespool function.

JC

thanks JC...is there not a way to get some lube in there without removing the unit?...Also, as the knob was turnable but did not relaease does thisindicate any breakage in the unit? Would it be worthwhile to put it in freespool position and apply force to free it up? Does the knob come off insitu?
thanks