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winch reinstallation snag

whyme

New member
429
4
0
Location
angola ny
had the issue of not being able to engage the dog clutch so a friend and i pulled it off a few nights ago. removal was strait forward, i pulled the yoke on the drive shaft, removed all the cable, pulled the bolts out and lifted it out. was heavy but manageable. the fit was snug so we rolled the winch forward and with a little effort it came free and we lifted it out.

i drained the ATF fluid i had used to try and free it up with cracked it open and immediately saw the problem. the collar that slips back and fourth on the main shaft was frozen in place and the washer was stuck to it as well, just do to mild rust buildup. used a coal chisel and lightly taped around the circumference between the two until the washer cam loose and then proceeded to tap around the circumference of the collar firmly until it freed from the shaft. pulled that and used a wire brush to remove the rust i could. put it back together and the dog clutch feels great.

now my problem:
got an extra friend this time and lifted the winch into place on the truck but it just doesn't wanna fit in right. it will drop about half way down and then get stuck. retried a few times but its getting caught up on the two front edges. i dont wanna remove the radiator guard to drop it strait down because the bolts are rusted and i cant lift it in from the bottom because the drum lock sticks out too far.

the idea of removing the bumper is not appealing either, that's a lot of steel.


on a very interesting side note, my winch drum is welded together. kinda surprised me tbh, given the age id have thought cast or machined and the welds are far too smooth not to have been done by anything other than a machine.
 

AceHigh

Well-known member
2,176
31
48
Location
Lake City FL
Your winch is a complete unit, and all you need to do is put in the long shoulder bolts, right? If so you probably have to loosen all the frame extension nuts and bolts to get her back in.
 

whyme

New member
429
4
0
Location
angola ny
i hadn't considered that, i didn't wanna have to but its the best solution i have as of yet. i just feel like if it Came out it should go back. hopefully there is still a simpler way, i cant have been the only one with this problem

thank you, guess i missed the obvious there.
 

Recovry4x4

LLM/Member 785
Super Moderator
Steel Soldiers Supporter
34,012
1,813
113
Location
GA Mountains
This is always a pain in the azz! I use a hammer extension and persuade it into place banging on the bolt heads that secure the cable guides in the front and the channel on top. Don't bang on anything but the bolts. A lot of times you can drop in in rotated, secure the 2 front top bolts and rotate it in to place. I can't guarantee that this method clears the radiator for proceed with caution.
 

whyme

New member
429
4
0
Location
angola ny
i started doing just that and stopped when the bold heads began to mushroom. the **** dog clutch leaver gets in the way when i try and rotate. maybe ill give it another go. just hard when everyone is whimpering about how much it weighs.


wow like the auto censor but i didn't even consider that a swear word. guess ill use "darn" from now on... lol
 

AZDeuce

Active member
484
38
28
Location
Tonopah, AZ
You need to remove the grill guard, put some penetrating oil on those bolts/nuts. I like Kroil, but lately i use a homemade concoction of 50%acetone/50%automatic transmission fluid, and it seems to work as well. just don't get any on you as acetone is considered a carcenagenic.

My first winch installation (decades ago) was a PITA, had the same problem, I loosened the frame extensions got everything in place, ALL the bolts started, then started tightening them down with an air gun. Worked great.

My last one earlier this year just dropped in. I was PLEASANTLY surprised! By the way DEFINATELY cut a thin piece of plywood to cover the radiator. without it, I guarantee you WILL punch a hole in the radiator, you don't want to go there. Bad mojo. The other possibility MIGHT be to try spreading the frame rails with a high-lift or hydraulic jack. I don't know if this is even doable, I have never tried, but it's a thought.
 

rchalmers3

Half a mile from the Broad River
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,926
30
48
Location
Irmo, South Carolina
All I did was to place a hi-lift jack between the winch brackets forward of the winch to slightly spread the frame. No need to loosen, hammer of force anything. I used anti seize on the shouldered bolts.

Rick
 
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