Servicing Winches

[Chriscrews]

I have a 2001 Bavaria 34 and wish to fully service the winches mounted on the cabin roof.
The Harken manual says the winch has to be removed from the deck  in order for the central spindle to be removed. However there is no access to the under side of the winches on the cabin roof - the headlining being a one piece moulding. Has anyone successfully removed these winches and how did you go about access.
Many thanks

[Odysseus]

I service my winches each year and do not see any reason to take off the base plate, all the serviced parts are on top, through the screw in the top of the winch.
Why do you want to take off the base plate???

Odysseus

[Chriscrews]

Thanks for your advice.
I have looked at the Harken website and the manual for self tailing winches shows pawls and springs inside the gear attached to the central spindle. I think its time these were replaced. The manual goes on to say that the winch needs to be removed from the deck before this spindle can be removed.

Chriscrews

[Nigel]

the manual for self tailing winches shows pawls and springs inside the gear attached to the central spindle. ... manual goes on to say that the winch needs to be removed from the deck before this spindle can be removed...

What winch is this? I've been able to completely strip mine down from above, the spindle lifts out.

[Chriscrews]

Thanks
I will have a closer look at the stripped down winch. I was just going by what Harken said on their website.
Chriscrews

[Sweet As]

We have a 2004 Bavaria 36 with Harken self tailing winches, and yes I have to unscrew the winches from the deck and coach house to fully service. It makes you do a really good job of the service!