Clean and inspect your winch rope regularly.
Caring for your winch rope is important for your safety. It should be a regular part of your winch maintenance. Make it a habit to inspect the winch rope before each and every pull.
Inspection
Inspect your winch rope regularly for frays, cuts, severe abrasion, and melted strands. You should inspect the rope before and after each use. Do a more thorough inspection every few months or more frequently, depending on how much use your rope gets.
Cleaning
Wash your winch rope regularly and always after riding through mud or saltwater. Unwind the rope and rinse it off with a garden hose to remove mud, salt, grit, and debris. Never use solvents, bleach, or harsh detergents to clean your rope. They can weaken the fibers and compromise the strength of the rope. Let the rope air dry before storing or respooling.
Storage
To store the rope off of the spool, coil the rope loosely and store it in a dark, dry place. Always inspect the rope after storage and before installing the rope on your winch.
Damage
Depending on where the damage is located, you may be able to continue using the rope by cutting off the damaged length and splicing a new eye into the rope. This process is easier for synthetic ropes than wire. See the instructions for splicing synthetic rope for more information.
If the rope is beyond repair, replace it with a new rope. Never use a rope that is damaged.
Replacement
Replace your winch rope with a rope approved by the manufacturer for your specific winch. The rope should be the same diameter and length to fit properly on the spool. Rope that is longer or larger in diameter than the factory-supplied rope may be too big to fit inside the winch housing and can damage the rope or winch. If you switch out wire rope for synthetic, use a new aluminum fairlead to prevent abrasion against the roughed-up roller fairlead.