Greasing a reel

[RoadToad]

I have a relatively cheap reel that I really like, and I'd like to repack the bearings on it. Having it serviced would probably cost more than replacing it, so I'm going to try it myself. I've oiled it, but it needs greasing. I haven't done this before, but I used to work on bicycles a lot, and have repacked hubs, so I'm thinking it should be easy enough. I bought some Hot Sauce reel grease at Smyrna. Anybody got any advice before I open it up?

[MsgMills]

Just set all the pieces out on some type of cloth to absorb any oil that may drip off the parts as you take it apart. Lay all the pieces out from say left to right, this will then give you a diagram of how the pieces go back together. Sometimes you can go on the Internet and find the schematics of the actual reel you are doing maintenance on to help out. Good Luck

[Cobra190]

I agree with Clyde, get the schematics if you haven't broke this reel down before. the little spring and what nots have to go back exactley how they came out or it just don't work.

[Rangerman]

You might also consider numbering the parts or make comments as you lay them on a paper towel so you can remember what to do when putting them back together. Also, oil what needs to be oiled and grease was needs to be greased (there is a difference). Also, never put more than a fine coating of oil or grease on anything as there is too much of a good thing and it will effect the performance. I would also recommend cleaning the bearings of any impurities such as old dried up grease/oil/dirt.

[stratosjoe]

what brand and model is it ? As said before use a white sheet or towell especially watch for circlips if it has any. They have as well as the balancing weights in a baitcaster a way of flying off to lord knows where...Mikes reel repair has an extensive listing of schematics as well as parts at.

www.mikesreelrepair.com

[jcb]

Anybody got any advice before I open it up?

Hey, if you end up missing any parts, come over and go through my collection of reels-in-a-ziploc-bag I began accumulating after trying this very thing.

[arkie]

Digital cameras are great for things like this. Take pictures before and various stages of the "take apart".

[MASBASS]

Hey, if you end up missing any parts, come over and go through my collection of reels-in-a-ziploc-bag I began accumulating after trying this very thing.

Do you by any chance have a Grip, Grip screw and screw cap for a Diawa Viento do you, I need one real bad!!! Still aruguing with Diawa over that one, long story. The screw did not have any lock tite on it I guess and fell off bouncing from the boat deck into the lake to BIG BASS HEAVEN I guess.

[RoadToad]

Thanks for all the replies. I finally took it apart yesterday, and, well, every part that was in it before is back in there. I did grease it, sparingly, and it runs really smooth now, all the roughness is gone. In both directions. At all times. **** thing has absolutely no anti-reverse at all now. I did take pictures as I took it apart, and for the life of me, I can't tell what I put in wrong. Oh well, it was a cheap reel (Avocet G1000), but it was the first one I ever bought outside of a flea market, so I wanted to keep it working if I could.

Fisherman's Factory Outlet has the next model up, a 10-bearing reel, for $25, so I think I'll replace it there.

Thanks again for the advice.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

if you put grease or too heavy of oil in the anti reverse roller bearing it will not work right,i did that to my 4600's and evrytime i set the hook,well just say the birds were flocking,had to take it back apart and clean it with carb cleaner to de grease it,re oiled it with oil and they worked like new.plus when it was below 50 degrees they would only throw about 40ft.

[DJD]

if you put grease or too heavy of oil in the anti reverse roller bearing it will not work right,i did that to my 4600's and evrytime i set the hook,well just say the birds were flocking,had to take it back apart and clean it with carb cleaner to de grease it,re oiled it with oil and they worked like new.plus when it was below 50 degrees they would only throw about 40ft.

I did the same thing on some of my old Lews...I greased the "AR Gear" and it never would fall into the gear teeth properly. You have to be careful when pulling these reels apart for sure.

[jdw174]

I'm a little late with this reply, but........

Use a small container and soak your bearings in lighter fluid to remove any gunk. Make sure they're dry before oiling. Oil the bearings and the pawl. No grease on either. Whatever grease you use, use it sparingly. A little dab will do ya.