| If your reel needs repair and you're not willing to | | | | 9. carefully clean the spool using care to extract |
| wait to have it professionally repaired, it is possible | | | | all sand, dirt and old grease; |
| to do it yourself. While this takes some caution, | | | | 10. apply reel oil to the end pins of the spools; |
| we can provide you with clear and concise | | | | 11. replace the spool inside the reel case. |
| directions on how to successfully repair and | | | | The next portion of your cleaning and |
| maintain a conventional or bait-casting reel. | | | | maintenance will involve the main drive gear |
| Remember, it is almost always preferable to have | | | | assembly. Each step must be followed precisely |
| professional do this, but if you simply can't wait, | | | | to avoid problems. |
| it's perfectly acceptable to do-it-yourself. Follow | | | | 1. If the main gear assembly is attached to a |
| these clear and simple steps to successfully repair | | | | mounting plate, carefully remove the two screws |
| or maintain your reel. | | | | that join it to the side plate; |
| First, make sure that you are working on a large | | | | 2. carefully remove the mounting plate and gear |
| work area - one that is clean and well lighted. | | | | assembly away from the side plate (if there is no |
| Remember that reels have a number of small | | | | mounting plate simply lift out); |
| parts that make them work properly so it will be | | | | 3. carefully remove any dirt, sand or old grease |
| critical to your success to make sure that you | | | | from the gear assembly; |
| create yourself a complete diagram of your reel | | | | 4. grease liberally. |
| as you take it apart. You can do this with the help | | | | The following steps involve some small parts. Be |
| of a digital camera, or take a large piece of blank | | | | certain that you are very careful with them, and |
| paper and draw the parts on the paper as you | | | | place them carefully so that they can be put back |
| remove them. | | | | exactly where they were removed from. |
| Since most reels follow the same basic assembly, | | | | Diagramming this portion of the removal process |
| these directions should work well for most any | | | | could be extremely helpful in reassembling. |
| type. The real key to success is to make sure | | | | 1. Drag Washers - the top of the main drive gear |
| that you are carefully documenting what the reel | | | | has drag washers. Remove them carefully and |
| looks like and where all the parts fit together. | | | | make sure they are placed carefully down in the |
| Don't remove any pieces without carefully noting | | | | order of removal. Replace each washer after |
| the proper placement. Pictures or diagrams can | | | | carefully massaging grease into them. Excess |
| help guarantee your success. Don't lose track of | | | | grease should be removed with a clean rag after |
| small springs or screws that could be crucial to | | | | the washers are dry to the touch. Replace each |
| your reels operation. | | | | washer in the proper order; |
| After you prepare a proper work area you will | | | | 2. Bearings - for seized bearings, try smearing |
| need to assemble the tools that you will need to | | | | grease along the side to thoroughly coat. If this |
| successfully repair or maintain your reel. These | | | | doesn't work, replace the entire bearing - |
| tools will help guarantee your ability to successfully | | | | attempting to take the assembly apart could |
| perform the needed repairs or maintenance. Don't | | | | result in chasing dozens of BB's around your work |
| try to start without having these tools close at | | | | area; |
| hand. | | | | Now it's time to start putting your reel back |
| A pair of pliers | | | | together using these simple steps: |
| Philips head screwdrivers (assorted sizes) | | | | 1. Your spool should be inside the reel casing; |
| Regular head screwdrivers (assorted sizes) | | | | 2. position the right side plate and gear assembly |
| A ratchet with the appropriate sized heads | | | | over the end pin; |
| A supply of absorbent and clean rags | | | | 3. line the screw holes up and press both sides |
| Reel grease and oil | | | | together; |
| A small toothbrush (or other small brush) | | | | 4. reinstall the screws through the side plate; |
| Follow these steps exactly to ensure that you | | | | 5. screw the star drag back on the reel; |
| are properly disassembling your reel for | | | | 6. mount your reel handle. |
| maintenance and repair. First we'll take the reel | | | | It's a good idea to test your work by making |
| apart and clean and maintain the casing: | | | | sure that all of the parts are well anchored |
| 1. Locate the nut that is holding your reel handle in | | | | exactly where they belong. The diagram (or digital |
| place and remove it; | | | | photographs) you created along the way will help |
| 2. turn the drag star counterclockwise to unscrew | | | | ensure that your attempt at maintaining your reel |
| and set aside; | | | | is successful. |
| 3. turn the reel so that you have the right side | | | | While it's not difficult to maintain your reel |
| facing and remove the side plate (usually four | | | | yourself, it is time consuming and requires |
| screws) *use caution; | | | | patience, fairly good eye-sight and a very steady |
| 4. now that you have separated the main gear | | | | hand. Whether you're accustomed to a |
| assembly, remove the spool from the reel case; | | | | conventional or bait-casting reel, these steps can |
| 5. your reel case should now have no parts in it. | | | | help you repair or maintain your reel when you |
| At this time, carefully clean the inside of the case | | | | are simply not willing to wait to have it serviced |
| to remove any sand, dirt or old grease; | | | | professionally. Most fisherman find that an |
| 6. once clean, carefully grease the entire clicker | | | | experienced service person can easily identify a |
| mechanism that is located inside the left plate; | | | | problem long before it requires a major overhaul |
| 7. for reels with a worm gear, apply grease to | | | | so they feel it's best to leave maintenance to the |
| the drive for the level wind; from the left side of | | | | professionals. Whatever your preference, keeping |
| the plate, turn the small gear to spread evenly; | | | | your reel well maintained means that you have |
| 8. them carefully apply small amounts of grease | | | | the opportunity to enjoy fishing anytime! |
| to all teeth; | | | | |