I got out yesterday planning to make a step by step video on greasing the gearbox and when I came in to check out the footage found I had issues with the volume and a few issues with the video so I got to playing with the footage and made a little video that might give you an idea of what inside the winch gearbox looks like. This is the second time I have had mine apart in a year and a half and I like doing it because it keeps the winch operating quite and this way I know what kind of shape it is in..
I know I have said this before but if you ever use your winch when it is under water the winch acts like a vacuum and can pull water in through the bearing behind the engage/disengage lever (or anywhere else a seal is involved) that will cause premature failure, a common symptom of this happening is the bearing will try to stick and cause the engage/disengage hard to spin and/or a noisy gearbox. Next time I pull mine apart I will try to get a better detailed video.
I know I have said this before but if you ever use your winch when it is under water the winch acts like a vacuum and can pull water in through the bearing behind the engage/disengage lever (or anywhere else a seal is involved) that will cause premature failure, a common symptom of this happening is the bearing will try to stick and cause the engage/disengage hard to spin and/or a noisy gearbox. Next time I pull mine apart I will try to get a better detailed video.