To Do: Reel Repair and Maintenance.

Reel Repair and Maintenance

Reel Repair and Maintenance should be at the top of every fishermans to do list. For a fisherman, there can be few nightmares worse than arriving at your fishing spot and discovering that your favorite reel desperately needs repair or maintenance.  Even though reel repair and maintenance is better left to the experts, you can do it yourself if you are willing to take the risk.  Remember: this type of work requires caution and care, and should only be undertaken by someone who understands the working of the reel!

Reel Repair and Maintenance: Preparation

Beginning the project is one of the most significant steps to any task requiring care, so you have to prepare appropriately.  Reserve a workspace that is fitting for the project, and take care that you leave enough room to move.  Make certain that there is room for all of the sensitive reel parts.  It is worthwhile to include meticulous photos of your reel piece-by-piece so that it can be reassembled once the Reel Repair and Maintenance  is finished, or make use of a hand-drawn map.

Reel Repair and Maintenance: Take it apart

Most reels come apart the same way, since they are built in a similar fashion (for the most part, some reels may vary slightly).  This step is the most important time to photograph or draw each piece as it comes off, so that you can guarantee that you will be able to put the reel back together.  Carefully remove each piece and place them in some kind of order (i.e. order removed).  Be sure to take special care with very small pieces, such as screws, springs, and similar objects.  Every piece has an important function, and each has a particular place in your reel.

Reel Repair and Maintenance: The Tools

The tools used during the reel repair and maintenance process are elemental components of your project’s success.  Before beginning the project, confirm that you have what you should, so that you do not have to go searching for something in the midst of the job. Essential tools typically include an assortment of different sized screwdrivers (Philips and flathead), pliers, ratchets (with appropriate heads), unsoiled and absorbent rags, small brush (such as a clean toothbrush), reel grease, and reel oil.  You should check to be sure that the reel grease and reel oil are in sealed containers to avoid messy spills.

Reel Repair and Maintenance: Starting The Disassembly

Your first step is to take the reel apart bit by bit, taking great caution with every section, to reduce the possibility of misplacing or damaging vital parts.  Find the nut that attaches the reel handle and remove it.  Rotate the drag star counterclockwise and put it aside.  Remove the side plate, making sure to notate the position of the four screws holding it on.  Disconnect the main gear assembly.  Detach the spool from your reel case.  Use your clean cloth to get rid of sand, dirt, and/or old grease.  Grease the mechanism in its entirety.  If your reel has a worm gear, revolve the level wind (in the left plate) to ensure that this gear is greased correctly.  Use a very tiny amount of reel grease to lubricate all teeth.  Cleanse the spool.  Lubricate the endpins.  Finally, you should replace the spool within the end case.

Reel Repair and Maintenance: Main Drive Gear Assembly

Cleaning the main drive gear assembly is one of the most critical aspects of the cleaning and maintenance routine, and failure to exercise proper caution could result in your reel not working properly later.  Follow each step carefully and pay close attention to details. Carefully remove the screws attaching the main drive gear assembly.  Some will be screwed into a mounting plate, but others will be able to be lifted out.  Locate the main gear assembly.  Use your rag to remove sand, dirt, and old grease, making sure there is no trace of the residue remaining to ensure smooth function later.  Grease the gear assembly thoroughly.

The next portion of your cleaning and maintenance will involve the main drive gear assembly.  Each step must be followed precisely to avoid problems.

Reel Repair and Maintenance: The small parts

The main gear will have washers in the top.  After removing them, you should first notate the placement of each.  Clean each washer with your clean rag.  Grease, making sure to massage the clean grease gently into every washer.  Remove excess grease with a clean cloth.  After the washers are dry, you can then replace them in the proper order.

Seized bearings can be a major problem for some reels, so you need to be sure to thoroughly grease each bearing along all sides or replace the bearing.  Do not attempt to take the bearing apart, or you will wind up cleaning up BBs from your workspace!

Reel Repair and Maintenance: Putting it all together

To put your reel back together, start by placing your spool back inside the reel casing. Once this is done position your side plate (right side) and gear assembly over your end pin.  After doing this you should like up your screw holes making sure that both sides are aligned.  Carefully reinstall all the screws through the side plate, screw your star drag back and mount your reel handled.

Reel Repair and Maintenance: Testing

You can test your work by ensuring that all parts are well anchored and also back where they were removed from.  Using your digital photos (or hand drawn diagram) will help you make sure that everything has gone back to the proper place.

Reel Repair and Maintenance: Summary

Though the process is monotonous and slow, you have the ability to execute these simple reel repair and maintenance steps and save money.  Nevertheless, a calm hand is required, and you may discover that either a magnifying lens or excellent eyesight is very advantageous. No matter what kind of reel you are operating (conventional or bait-casting), these straightforward steps can help you steer clear of waiting for and paying a professional to keep your reel operating efficiently.  Since you are probably one of the many fishermen who are finicky about who handles their reels, simply utilizing methods such as these can help put a stop to mistakes and/or repair costs.  Keep your reel safe and clean, and you will nearly promise long life and many fishing memories.

There are many great reels out on the market, some of the most popular include: Shimano Fishing Reels and Penn Fishing Reels.

Save money by doing your own Reel Repair and Maintenance.

Tags: Fisherman, Fishing Spot, Job, Maintenance, Maintenance Repair, Map, Midst, Nbsp, Nightmares, penn reels, Philips, photos, Pliers, Rags, Reel Parts, Reel Repair, Risk, Screw, Screwdrivers, Screws, Shimano Reels, Small Pieces, Tools, Workspace