My winch cable is now 5 years old, and this weekend I noticed a minor fray in the cable. Has anyone replaced the cable on a factory winch?

 

It came with a synthetic rope. My question is, how can I access the drum? Does it require removing the bumper cover? Can I cut the mesh to access the drum and then reattach it in place? The factory winch mount creates an access issue.

 

This should give you an idea about how to change it.:

 

Unfortunately, this video is of no help. That winch is mounted with easy access to the drum. My question specifically pertains to a factory winch mount on a 2020 Defender, where there is no access to the winch drum.

 

Hmm. You piqued my interest with this. What is your mount setup?

But god no do not cut the mesh.

If you have the factory winch mount, I have a basis for comparison. I was just looking at mine -- which is in the metal factory Aussie bull bar but it has the exact same mounting tray -- I think on mine I could just remove the metal bull bar (4 bolts) -- lift up and off the bull bar -- and then I would have enough access to the winch in the tray without removing the lower bumper and grille.

Since you do not have the bull bar, you would instead remove that black plastic trim piece that mounts to your winch tray, right? Look at this video 0- around 50:17 -
You simply need to remove this black plastic piece. I think.

 

Thank you!!! You're correct, it's been so long since I installed it, I was thinking I would have to remove the bumper cover, but I should have plenty of access removiing the black plastic cover! Thank you so much for tracking this down. I owe you one.