I've been looking at different sites that have winch parts diagrams and also at troubleshooting articles but it isn't clear what type of a braking system there is on atv winches. I can see where the planetary gear slides in and out to engage the winch and there looks like there is some sort of a pawl (cam follower) that maybe prevents it from going one direction. Order parts for your WARN 2.5ci winch from your Warn Authorized Parts and Service Center: warnserviceparts.com.

 

The internal setup of the winch is almost identical to that of a power drill- and I've rebuilt a lot of power drills.

In the case of a power drill (like my 24v Bosch) the end housing teeth are cast aluminum, the carrier assembly gears (planetary gears) & sun gear is usually a metal alloy in cheaper models (I've actually seen plastic!) or steel in better ones. The end housing teeth can strip out if the winch is constantly under load for long periods of time or the alloy gears actually crack- the vibration of the metal gears rubbing against the aluminum housing teeth while under pressure will wear it down also I'd think...