Winch only engages high consistently. Help

[socom688]

Ok gents, I cannot find the answer anywhere for my particular question. So here it goes:


I can only get my winch to regularly engage in high out of neutral. I have only found low a couple of times. I have been able to find reverse, but even that's not as consistent as high. Just about everytime I move the lever forward I can find high. Now, my question is, what should I do to get low and reverse working regularly?

I thought maybe I need to rebuild my pto, but since I have actually found low before without grinding or popping it out it seems the gears are not worn and are good to go.

 

[clinto]

I think there just isn't a lot of room between high, low and neutral. It takes practice.

I don't think there could be anything wrong with it that would allow you to get to high but not low.

 

[Floridianson]

Agreed with Clinto it's there just takes a soft touch! Spray,grease or spit on all moving parts of linkage.

 

[socom688]

Ok, I will play with it tomorrow. Lets just say though that I spend a good amount of time on it and still cant find the other gears, is there anything at all it could be?

 

[gringeltaube]

First I would check that the external shift mechanism isn't somehow worn or binding, or out of adjustment. The shift rod needs to travel little over 2-1/4". That is the distance between shift positions "H" and "R".

All five shift points should be well defined and some resistance felt on the shift handle, while jumping from one to the next position. If that's not the case it may be time to remove (unscrew) the poppet ball retainer (arrow) and check the condition of the poppet ball and spring. Due to it's location at the bottom of the housing the cavity inside the retainer tends to collect water and gunk causing the spring to corrode and weaken, eventually even breaking in two.


G.

 

[socom688]

Thanks Gringel, that actually is something else I forgot to mention. I can't tell when it goes into gear, there's no indication of such so I'll check out the spacing and the poppet tomorrow and share what I find.

 

[socom688]

Checked out the poppet, it seemed in good shape. No leaks and besides a little road grime on the outside, was sound. So I jumped back in the cab, and played with the winch for half an hour. I have successfully found all the gears. Low and reverse are barely noticeable, but like clinto said, I just needed to 'get the feel' for them. It may take a few runs through the gears, but I can consistently find all the gears.

Thanks guys!