Quick windlass gearbox

[moonshadow]

My windlass gearbox seals failed and spilled oil into the motor. The interesting symptom was starting out really slow for 10-15 seconds then coming up to speed. Easy to have the motor cleaned up and brushes replaced. But when I saw the oil I called quick usa and was told that the gearbox seals weren’t replaceable. After I bought and installed a new gearbox I decided to experiment with the old one. It turns out the seals are inexpensive common seals and the work to replace them was easy. So, at least I learned from this.

[ohana]

Hi - thanks, thats helpful! Can you advise which quich winch you have, and from what year? I plan to remove mine this winter for some preventative maintenance, and would be interested to know if its the same.

How is the condition of the aluminium base on your winch? Mine is becoming quite corroded and so I am wondering how long the drive shaft seal may last before allowing water down into the gearbox.

Cheers

[rick63]

My gearbox had exactly the same problem and filled the motor with oil, the symptoms were the same, slow to start then coming up to speed. When I removed the windlass the baseplate was very corroded and the seals were starting to fail. When I looked at the cost of a replacement gearbox, new baseplate and bearings it made more sense to buy a new windlass. Now that I know you can replace the gearbox seals I may have a go and replace them plus the bearings and seals on the base plate and have a spare unit.

Rick

[moonshadow]

My windlass is a 2014 Quick Aleph 12volt 1000 watt. My metal parts were all in good shape. The way it is put together the vertical shaft drops inside the gearbox axle. The above deck condition may not indicate problems below the deck. My motor overhaul was about $100 locally and the new seals added up to $20.
Interesting to note is that a below deck water shield that comes with the windlass was never installed on my boat.

[Mistroma]

I have a Quick Antares 1000W.

I noticed that the top seal had gone around near the end of the season last year. I cleaned it out, squeezed in some grease and then PU sealant in an attempt to reduce further water ingress. I couldn't get parts at that time and it seemed to be holding up so left it until this year. Quick parts were pretty expensive and the seals etc. are all standard parts.

I bought stainless circlips instead of the standard ones Quick supply. Parts below were delivered by Simply Bearings for about £38.

2 Stainless External Circlip 25mm Diameter Un-Sprung Dia 23.2mm
2 Stainless Internal Circlip 47mm Diameter Un-Sprung Dia 50.5mm
3 25x47x7mm Nitrile Rubber Rotary Shaft Oil Seal with Garter Spring R23 / TC
1 NACHI 60052NKE Non Contact Low Friction Sealed Deep Groove Ball Bearing 25x47x12mm

Upper circlips and bearings had a lot of rust but everything cleaned up well.

The shaft had lots of mud above the gearbox and the gearbox oil was contaminated. However, the seals looked OK and didn't leak after filling with fresh oil. Still no leaks after a few weeks use.

Well worth checking under the gypsy every so often to monitor the upper seals. No need to buy expensive Quick parts.











I do check the brushes regularly and they still seem to be in good shape from new in 2009.

[John]

Hi Mistroma ,

This is very good information , do you know the type of oil needed for service this .

[Mistroma]

I think I used SAE 80 or 90 but will check.

This video might be of some use as it's fairly detailed

He also mentions 80 or 90 for the gearbox (around 25:50).

[ohana]

Hi Mistroma, Moonshadow - how much oil did you put into the gearbox when refilling it ? 

I have a Quick Aleph, currently on the bench for a service. The gearbox seems OK, the seals intact etc, and I removed the gearbox oil filler cap to take a look at the oil condition inside - it seems OK. However, seems a good opportunity to replace the existing oil. But how much oil should I put in? Nothing mentioned in the handbook, and nothing to be found on line. I have asked Quick UK importers who in turn are asking Quick in Italy, but nothing yet.

How did you know how much to put in?

Thanks!

[moonshadow]

I oriented it as it would sit in the boat and filled to the level of the fill plug.

[ohana]

Hi, thanks for that

Another way I guess is to record how much oil I take out and refil with the same amount !