I need a little help replacing the winch strap on my Shorelander trailer. Due to the design of the winch post the entire sppol of the winch must be removed to access the bolt that secures the strap. I've honestly throught about drilling a hole on each side of the winch post so I could remove the spool without but have not gone that far yet. The problem is that the bolt on the center of the winch spool is super tight. I don't know if it rust in or if it actually threads in the spool. Either way, I am afraid to put on impact wrnch on it for fear it will twist the bolt off. Any help here is appreciated!

Liquid wrench, propane torch, cup of water to but the fire out:). If the bolt breaks off and you can't drill it out, put a couple of self tapping screws through the new strap. Good luck.

I need to clarify a bit I guess. The bolt that holds the strap on is inaccessible until I pull the whole spool out of the winch assembly. In order to pull the whole spool the center bolt needs to come out. That is the bolt that is waaayyyy tight. Thanks for the help!

I need to clarify a bit I guess. The bolt that holds the strap on is inaccessible until I pull the whole spool out of the winch assembly. In order to pull the whole spool the center bolt needs to come out. That is the bolt that is waaayyyy tight. Thanks for the help!

That makes it a lot easier. If the bolt in the center of the spool breaks just go to the hardware store and get another grade 8 bolt to reblace it. The bolt goes through a sleeve inside of the spool, put some grease on it before you put it back.

Could it be Left (reverse)Hand Thread?

No, there is a nut on the end that is RH thread. I can get that nut off, but the bolt seems to be threaded into the spool. I've taken a whack at it with a hammer and it doesn't seem to want to move. If it is not threaded in the spool it is super rusted. Might have to just cut the strap out and heat the heck out of it, hoping it will come loose.