Hard Winch Free Spooling

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Stumper

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I have a 22’ P1000-3 that I bought used and it came with a Badlands Apex 5000 winch on it. I have a really hard time getting the winch to free spool. It takes all of my 200+ lbs to pull the darn rope out in freespool mode. Doesn’t matter if the rope is full drum, half drum or how it’s wound. I know it goes into the freespool mode when I turn the knob because it will not release at all when it’s locked. Any thoughts on where to start looking?
 
Red500

Red500

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Can you pull the line all the way out and try to put some kind of lube on the sides (out side) of the drum.

Ps. If you are using rope be carful what you use it could harm the rope.
 
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P1K5Dave

P1K5Dave

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Are all of the chrome rods connecting the two sides of the winch nice and straight? (The ones that cross the spool.)

I have the same winch. One of mine got bent and it made it really difficult to unspool. Once I took it off and straightened it out it got easier again.
 
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TxDoc

TxDoc

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You may look for YT videos for that model.. Many Warn videos, from small to large truck winches, are out there on disassembly, repair, maintenance and greasing the internals. Periodic gear grease application will help prevent water intrusion and internal rusting.

Badlands 5000 winch won't freespool, the most likely culprits are a faulty freespool clutch mechanism, a problem with the cable drum bearings, a worn-out clutch engagement lever, or a potential electrical issue with the winch control switch; check these components and ensure they are functioning properly, and if necessary, consult the winch manual for specific troubleshooting steps.

Here are a few things to check:

Check the freespool lever:

Make sure the freespool lever is fully engaged in the freespool position.

Inspect for any damage or wear on the lever itself.


Inspect the clutch mechanism:

Check for any debris or dirt that may be interfering with the clutch engagement.

Verify that the clutch plates are not worn or damaged.

Examine the cable drum bearings:

Listen for any unusual noises while rotating the cable drum, indicating worn bearings.

Check for excessive play in the drum.

Check the electrical connections:

Ensure all connections to the winch motor and control switch are clean and tight.
Verify the winch control switch is functioning properly.

Check the winch cable:

Inspect the winch cable for any damage, kinks, or fraying



Example



Freespool fix



How to Maintenance your ATV winch

Sent from my motorola edge plus 2023 using Tapatalk
 
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