[C320-list] Maxwell 500 VW Windlass

[Crosby Roper]

Hi All,
i have a Maxwell 500 VW windlass mounted vertically in the anchor locker. the manual recommends greasing the unit every three months and since the boat is 9 years old, I thought it was a bit overdue. I recently discovered that the clutch had frozen so I set about dismantling the unit from topside, thinking I would be able to pull the capstan up thru the deck plate and access the clutch plates this way.- At least that is what the illustration in the manual suggests.Apparently not the case. Has anyone underataken this task  and if so, can you give me some pointers on how to proceed. Thanks in advance.
Crosby Roper VMDTethys Hull #1054