Winch from bouncing out of engaged into free spool when not in use. When it does this the line goes slack. Happens all the time when I'm off road or even around town. Then I have the pita job of unspooling the line and respooling it in snug. Does anyone else have this issue and what have you done to remedy it. I have the smittybilt xrc 8 sent from the slow lane

 

I have the xrc 8 as well. Never had that problem with mine but I keep tension on it. That may be the issue? When not in use, the hook stays on a d-ring and I keep it tight

 

Have you tried lubing it? Maybe it has a sticking detent ball or a weak spring.

 

I used to have the same winch. first time I needed to use it, it would not stay engaged at all. Each time a little tension got on it it would just pop right out. It never worked , ever. I tied contacting smittybuilt, could never get a hold of anyone. Bought a TJM and its been fantastic so far.

 

It stays engaged while in use and has never popped out on me. Although I have only really used it 3 times. I have it under tension with the hook attached to a D ring. But when I'm off road or on a bumpy street it sometimes pops into free spool anyways.

Here is my temporary solution. Not pulled down tight enough to cause pressure but just enough so it won't pop over the ball and keep the lever in the engaged position.

sent from the FBI surveillance van

 

mine came with a sticker wrong did anyone else have this issue it was very confusing at first

 

Looks like you've got the best solution possible without pulling it apart and finding the issue.
Is it under warranty?
Will smittybilt send you replacement parts if you do it yourself?
Can it be sent somewhere for repair that will only charge you if they fix it?

 

My sticker wasn't wrong there. But it came from the factory spooled correctly but my sticker says spool line in the opposite direction it was spooled from the factory. Go figure.
But it has gotten the job done so far.

sent from the slow lane