Thread: Do Warn M8000 winches all have brakes?

Warn M8000 Winch Breakdown - Four Wheeler Magazine

Would suggest it should have a brake inside the drum...

Any idea how old it is? I certainly wouldnt want to say they all should have a brake, but it is surely possible that someone removed it, couldnt work out how it was refitted, or forgot to put it back!

Heres a parts list

http://www.warn.com/truck/Replacemen...cerpl53-54.pdf

Rgds
Pete

The bits in my cable drum don't look like either of the ones in those links. Those links also don't show the shaft that runs through my drum.
Those links also show the brake as being down the motor end. That thing I showed is on the gearbox end.

I think the winch bar was fitted in 2003. So it was bought second hand then assuming the guy didn't pull the winch off his previous 4wd.

So no idea really. Although it has the date code on it that I posted above. Don't know what it means though.

Originally Posted by Utemad

This is the end of the above part. Has a circlip. Anyone know what it is before I take it apart and it springs into 198734 pieces?

Even though it doesn't exactly match up to the parts diagram, my guess is that it is actually the brake mechanism. If you take it apart you should find a snail cam of some description. Although it's not like my superwinch or those chinese copies. Did your winch work ok before dissassembly?

Hi folks. I sent an email to Warn USA yesterday through their website.
I attached the first picture I posted too.

Here is the reply

The item on the left side of the drive shaft is the brake. This was a spring style brake, we no longer use this. If a replacement brake is needed order p/n 32455. This will include the current brake, driveshaft and motor coupler.

From the info you have provides this tells me your winch was built in 1991. I have attached some service information for you reference.

Best regards,

You couldn't ask for a better quicker reply than that. Good on you Warn.


So that makes it 17 years old. I've yet to dismantle the gearbox but it is in remarkable condition for something that has spent its life in the weather on the front of a 4wd. I wonder if the cheapie winches will do that?
The manual the Warn employee sent looks to be the same one that is in the files section here.


Yes the winch worked perfectly before I removed it. The brake would hold a car on a big hill. I just wanted to check that it didn't have water in the grease etc. It doesn't appear to so far. Looks very good actually.

So does anyone know how this brake works?
The casing doesn't appear to have a join so it couldn't press inside the cable drum. Plus the inside of the drum is greasy where the brake is.
I've no idea. I'm hesitant to dismantle the brake as I they have said parts are no longer available (except for upgrading to the new brake). My luck is it would spring apart and I'd lose half of it. Maybe I could dismantle it in a plastic bag

The winch is all back together and fitted to the car. Took the time to respray the painted bits and tidy up some of my wiring. Also ran some wires for an in cab switch but they have only made it as far as behind the headlight at the moment.

Was very easy to do. Would only take a few hours if you had everything ready to go beforehand.