Same problem I had a few years back on another vehicle. I tried to get in touch with smittybuilt but could never get anywhere on the warranty. Hope your luck is better.

 

I am looking into buying a smittybilt and I saw on 4wd and they have a xrc8 winch http://www.4wd.com/ProdDetail.aspx?partNo=S%2fB97281 and a xrc9.5 gen2 http://www.4wd.com/ProdDetail.aspx?partNo=S%2fB97495 for the same price. I'm wondering why the same price for both these winches and which one is the better one to get. Any suggestions would be appreciated.