Ratchet winch repair?

Question

ratchet winch on my small boat trailer popped a spring, and doesn't want to stay locked in place, a big problem for a boat trailer. I have a 1" spring with hooks on each end.. but where to hook them? thanks

Answer 1

Without seeing your winch it is difficult to make a judgment call on that. If your winch is small, it would be pretty cheap to just replace the winch- they are sold cheaply in places like Home Depot and K Mart, as well as boating supply places for somewhat more money. Replacing it is safer than an iffy repair ( a runaway winch handle can hurt! ). If you have an expensive winch, contact the manufacturer of the winch for parts. You can make a spring if you must- find a similar winch to see what it is you need to duplicate, use similar diameter steel wire, coil it tightly around a screwdriver in a vise and temper it with a torch (or your kitchen stove!- get it red hot, then quench it) when it's the shape you need.

Answer 2

get a new winch

Answer 3

most likely you dont have the right kind of spring for the job ... and any boat repair place should... would be your best bet in finding the right one taking it a part not so hard but the spring you will need lifts and spreads will be more of a L shape with spring in the middle and two bars sticking out type name of  like Double Torsion Spring

i found a pis of what type i think it will take

Answer 4

Is it worth repairing?  A complete boat winch with new strap cost $19.99 at Harbor Freight.

Get a new one and be confident your repair won't fail you.