Symetre Handle Sticks ?

[MichBassMan]

1st let me say in no way manner shape or form is this a shimano complaint. I have used these reels for decades, both spinning and baitcasters and I like them. I'm also not looking to switch brands or buy a new reel. That being said; I have 4 symetre 2500FI spinning reels. 3 of them perhaps 4 to 8 yrs old and they work as good or better than when new. However the 4th one, about 2 or 3 yrs old and the fancyer,darker colored one with more gold rings on it has always had a problem since it was new. SOME times, not always when reeling it in, both with or without a fish on it, the handle will just stop dead (locked up). It will start working again almost instantly but I avoid using it in tournaments because it has this issue. It seems like maybe, not for sure, but it might be more prone to lock up when fishing in wet weather. Can someone suggest perhaps a fix for this issue ? Has anyone else encountered this behavior from a symetre?

Thanks you all for any help

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[LgMouthGambler]

Break it down and inspect it. Maybe do a good clean and lube. See id that fixes it.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Check your PM

[BobP]

My Symetre came (several years ago) with a rubber washer stretched around the anti-reverse bearing housing under the rotor. It deformed and began to stick the rotor when retrieved. I took it off, threw it away and haven't had further problems. I assume its function was to prevent water intrusion into the anti-reverse bearing housing. It's worth a check.

[MichBassMan]

I did dissasemble the reel, it still looks new inside, not used much for obvious reasons. I did find a large rubber "O" ring that was intact and looked new. I found no burrs on anything, but it did apear that it was (perhaps) possible for the oscillating slider and the drive lug on the oscillating gear to bind at the extreme ends of their toggle cycles. I cleaned it ,relubed everything, and only time will tell. Again thank you all.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That rubber ring is a friction ring and its purpose is to keep the rotor from spinng during a cast.

[craww]

I had a buddy who had the same issue. If memory serves a lot of people seemed to have a few issues years back and shimano denied it had a problem? I could be wrong on that.

[thehooligan]

i picked up a symetre 1000 on ebay a few months back, had the same problem and returned it. Im also curious what the problem is....

[.RM.]

That rubber ring is a friction ring and its purpose is to keep the rotor from spinng during a cast.

X2...

Also in extreme heat and over time that o-ring will stretch and cause a bind in the retrieve.

It should be replaced, NEVER just removed.....

Tight Lines!

[MichBassMan]

I know this is an old thread but I want to give an update for those who tried to help and to those who had a similar problem. The sticky handle reel is a 2500fj and the three reels that work good are all 2500fi. The fj model is newer. I'm still having issues with the reel but have narrowed the problem. What is causing the reel to bind up is the anti-reverse mechanism. Sometimes while reeling it locks up the same way it would if it was reeled in reverse. So there it is; a very pretty $100 reel I only trust using on panfish.

[J Francho]

Have you ever called Shimano Service? 1-877-577-0600

[MichBassMan]

J Francho, yes I called them last year when I thought the problem was caused when fishing in the rain. They sounded quite skeptical that it was a rain issue. Turned out they were right it was just coincidence it happened the first few times in the rain. I guess I fish in the rain a lot here in Michigan in the spring. I'm thinking now that I have it more narrowed down another call may be in order. Thanks for the reminder.

[deep]

Send a PM to DVT, Michbassman. I had a Symetre 2500FJ that did the same thing as you describe. I don't precisely recall what Mike told me to do, but it fixed the problem.