Rebuilt gearmatic 8a

[John1010c]

I've just rebuilt a gearmatic 8a winch and controller. I adjusted it like the book mentioned except struggled a little with the feeler gauge between the drum and bands. I was shooting for .008. Apparently either my new bands or the spool is not perfectly round. I maintained the .008 immediately around where the spider legs are but it got a little tight going outward.



The problem I'm having is it's not winching. The spool turns when the lever is pulled but it has zero pull power. The bands and housing look dry. The book said screw the brake spring in all the way then back it off two turns. That was too tight. I had to back it off a few more turns to get it turning but that is still too tight for it to free-spool . I backed out even farther and finely got it to spool out but now it does it wether the lever is pushed in the "brake release ) position or in the brake hold position. I should mention there is not any cable on the winch now. Do I need to let the bands break -in ? How would I do that without any cable on it ? Any help would be greatly appreciated