Warn Critical Care

It’s easy to rebuild your 8274’s brake and free-spool actuator when you know the inside secrets.

- Bruce W. Smith

THERE ARE ONLY TWO ITEMS ON WARN’S classic model 8274 that require service under normal use: the free-spool actuator (aka “clutch” release) and the brake. The free-spool actuator can freeze up over time from rust and neglect. The brake wears out with use or from using the winch as a snatch strap.

The most critical component from a safety standpoint is the brake assembly. It’s that finned disc assembly on the 8274 that holds the load on the winch drum. It’s also the one component on the winch that gets the most wear. The two small ring-like discs, called friction material, that are sandwiched against the faces of the pawl disc wear out from use, as does the compression spring that maintains that braking force. Because of the brake assembly’s exposed location, it’s also the most susceptible to water intrusion and corrosion. Normal wear, combined with corrosion, will affect not only the braking action but also the operation of the cam mechanism that moves the brake in and out over the brake shaft as the winch is working.

Easy Rebuild

The brake assembly can be rebuilt without disassembling the entire winch by using a traditional puller tool. Although that sounds like a good route to go, we learned different when we took a well-used 8274 to Warn Industries’ Milwaukie, Oregon, winch service center. Warn Service Technician Mike Warrilow said doing the brake job is far easier if the upper case half is pulled off and the complete brake assembly is pulled out shaft and all so it can be worked on using a bench vise.