Warn CE M80000, is this winch worth rebuilding?

Is this Warn CE M8000 worth rebuilding? I'm really kind of leaning towards trying to clean her up. I have a vibrating parts cleaner and I was thinking about swapping between dawn and vinegar on 30 minute intervals. I'm pretty certain I can get rid of the corrosion and rust. I'm just unsure if it's going to run when I am done. What do you folks think?

Edit: All of the dirt/rust in the photos came out of the motor housing.

 

Gearbox looks good by the way.

 

It's got a pretty clear high water mark, it'll probably work as long as the motor windings aren't shorted. Likely be weaker and loud though. Bearings will all need replacement and I'd worry about the brake holding.

 

I have not pulled the brake yet. It looks mostly clean and dry inside the spool.

I would replace both bearings in the rebuild.

 

Think @Tour991 has cleaned one or two of these up before, he probably has a better idea of whether it's worth the effort or not

 

After some initial cleaning.

 

It doesn't look awful. I would probably douche down all of the copper stuff in deoxit just as a precautionary thing.

 

Beautiful windingz

 

Coated armature and motor can in ospho.

Waiting on a bearing.


I thought the two bearings were the same size but they are not. The one by the brushes (above) is smaller.

After the ospho is done and I get the bearing I'll do one final cleaning and slap her back together.

 

Don't forget the greases; Warn specs two different ones, one for the gears and one for the spool seal. In your pictures I see no sign of any remaining gasket material. They are available; however, I made some of my own after not buying enough.

Recently went through a third hand 9.5 which was in much better condition, i.e. less corrosion in the motor. Will be doing a 20+ year old M8000 soon just as preventative maintenance, runs fine.

Nowhere in your pictures do I see the flexible seals that ride against the spool ends. Makes me think this unit has been opened and improperly serviced in the past.

That motor end cap/cover has seen better days; how are you going to close it up? Are there any other parts that have through corrosion?

IF you don't already have a parts diagram, they are available from Warn, some of the oldest diagrams are not on their website. I had to get mine from them by phone and emailed to me.

Good luck!

 

These gaskets and seals?


I have not cleaned them up yet. Likewise I haven't pulled the brake. I want to get this motor running before I do much more.

I was planning on using Mobil 1 Marine Wheel Bearing Grease for everything.

I was planning on leaving the motor end cap as is. These winches are not sealed from water. I figured the holes will help to keep everything dry.

The endgame for this winch is to be a receiver mounted winch. I don't expect to to be diving into pools of water...
If it ends up getting wet I will pull the motor and let it dry out.

I'm debating taking an angle grinder with a wire scrubber attachment to everything. There is some white corrosion I just can't seem to get to go away. I was hoping the Ospho would convert it but I guess it only works on iron oxide. I am also debating spray painting some parts on the armature and inside the can to enhance corrosion resistance. Thoughts on this?

 

Now take this with a grain or two of salt as my experience is with the 9.5 thus far. My M8000 will be opened someday.

I take exception to your statement the winches are not sealed for water. Your experience with the gear end shows differently. The motor end was not sealed in your case well, possibly due to the amount of external corrosion and storage. There is a hole for water drainage at the motor end. Thus, Warn recognizes water will get in but leaves a way for the water to get out.

What your picture shows as new items are the large gaskets that I must assume came from the gear area sealing both ends (there are similar gaskets for the motor); the smaller black things are bushings. Still missing are the v-seals that seal the ends of the spool from the brake getting wet and migration of water through the bearing into the gears and motor.

The motor has gaskets much like the gear end does. One of those motor gaskets I don't believe you will ever see in the diagrams because Warn only sells the motor as an assembly and does not call out the gasket between the motor housing and the cap separately. The cap in your case has corroded holes through it.

Type of grease? I only followed Warm's recommendation at the time, they have a habit of changing the specs as they find another supplier for the gear grease. From what I gleaned from all the input I had at the time was that there is only one grease they have used up against the V-Ring seal, but many for the gear section. I'm not where I have my grease, otherwise I'd tell you what I used.

No input on removing the corrosion on the aluminum drum supports.

Motor testing could possibly be done by just attaching the motor to the Drum Support with the two very long screws. Complete assembly of the winch may not be required.

Attached are two files showing the 9.5, the M8000 maybe different.

If you don't have the winch receiver cradle yet and if you are anywhere near Northern California, I have one available. It came with my 9.5. Will not be shipping it.

 

I found this parts diagram online.


I do not see the V seals or the motor gasket. I guess Warn seals them up a little better these days.

The corrosion on the motor cap is mostly from the inside. This thing had so much dirt inside it, it definitely wasn't waterproof. I see in your diagram that it shows to silicone the side air vent and leave the bottom open. I see how that should keep most of the water out, especially if the rest of the can is sealed. I don't recall finding a sealant in the side weep hole on my bracket. (Doesn't mean there wasn't some there, I just don't remember it.). Also, I doubt there was a gasket between my can and motor cap. I didn't find one and It's too sharp of an edge. No seating surface.

 

I'll add this winch had no cutoff switch between it and the battery either. So, every time it got wet the corrosion growth would have been very rapid. Aided by the constant current.

 

I wonder if your Relays are any good after all the corrosion you have found. If so, I am replacing all my old fashion control boxes and would recommend the

$113 Warn 98381 Service Kit - Winch Contactor

Warn 98381 newer version contactor. It is all one piece and wires up a bit easier. Do not understand your comment about the cutoff switch, as the control box relays stop all voltage to the winch when unenergized.

See attached:

 

Attached is clearer detail on the M8000. Nope does not seem to be the V-seals or the motor gasket at the motor.

 

Oh, the grease Warn recommended at the time was AeroShell 64, an aircraft grease with moly for the high pressure between the gears, or so I suppose.

 

@Bertw192 might have some insights.

 

That motor looks pretty rough. Your best bet is to clean it up as best you can, partially reassemble and test...

Unfortunately, on these older M8000's they don't make replacement parts for the motor... so you may be stuck looking for a donor winch.

 

Also... Fixing these old Warn winches is very rewarding.