Shimano's Gooey Handles

[tomustang]

I have a Stradic 3000 FI that has a goo'd up handle, for the price of replacing it is not worth it. Looked around for any solutions or alternatives but 'buy another' seems like the generic answer.

 

This is also a problem with curado handles or probably others too, tends to be a factor of getting certain lotion or repellant on the handles which in turn makes them a gooey mess that you can't clean up.

 

So far I decided to clean off the stradic handle with rubbing alcohol and applied 3 coats of automotive exterior clear coat to see if it'll hold back the problem. Really have nothing to lose here and hopefully I'll have a solution.

 

So far the handle feels good and solid but I still haven't gone out and used it since it's on an inshore setup but will report after a good long jetty day at the shore, which will be soon.

[SirSnookalot]

I have a Stradic 3000 FI that has a goo'd up handle, for the price of replacing it is not worth it. Looked around for any solutions or alternatives but 'buy another' seems like the generic answer.

 

You're not alone on this one.  One of my 4000 fi had the handle gummed up and peeling off, doing an internet search I discovered this is not unusual.  Reading some posts on other forums Shimano rep felt the culprit is certain brands of sunscreen.  As some of the members having this problem do not use sunscreen like myself, I think it may be insect repellent.  I did replace the handle and the cost was somewhere around 20-$25, IMO well worth it.

 

Stradic fi's have another common problem occurring with saltwater use, not only have I read about it numerous times on the internet but Larry at Boca bearings told me they get people in all the time for this problem on that reel when I stopped in last week.

The line roller bearing gets rusted and needs to be replaced, it's happening to me now for the second time on the same reel.  First time around the bearing was on backorder, I did send the reel in to Shimano and they replaced the bail assembly, to my surprise no charge for an off warranty reel.  I can't get this bearing out to replace it, don't want to force it in any way until I know the bail assembly is available, new one is $32 and the bearing itself is about $10.  No question that I will repair this reel one way or the other, it's just too good a reel not to.  I did replace my drag yesterday as the washers were nearly disintergrated.

[tomustang]

I wonder if they fixed the roller bearing issue with the FJ

[tomustang]

This is a photo of the clear coat applied, you can see more of the rubbed off sections from cleaning the goo off and the new gleam.

[SirSnookalot]

I would not think about twice, I'd buy a new handle providing the reel is in good condition.  I'm real fussy about my handles, I want a paddle or tee that's tacky and not slippery, no round and I don't like metal ones.

[tomustang]

For me the $21+shipping is hard to swallow considering it'll probably gum up again, for now I can see if this works since I have nothing to lose on the handle, if it doesn't I'll find another handle knob and keep everything away from, maybe use a glove

I just checked some places and its appears to be on back order, no doubt it's because of this problem..

[SirSnookalot]

The handle is part # rd 8170 and lloks to be available for $17.72, shipping if I remember shipping was pretty nominal.

The new handle does not come with parts # 5947, 11425, 8172, 8171, 13269 and 11465, you have to remove them from the old handle, you wont' get a proper fit otherwise. It's a pretty easy fix, getting the bushings out of the old reel ( 8172 and 11465 ) was a bit tricky at first.

[0119]

Those gooey handles are one of the reasons I will never buy a Shimano again.  Something reacts with the Septon.  Shimano told me it was my sunscreen.  I told them Ive never used sunscreen....ever.  Then they said it was that I was using non shimano oil. I told them I don't oil the grip itself and had only used the oil they supplied with the reel.  Then I was ignored.  Then about a year later I finally saw Bantam acknowledge that they had many complaints of this but only in Florida.  So I contacted them again and they denied that "internet" admission and told me it was just my body chemistry.  They warned me not to use rubbing alcohol and to buy reel grips.  I tried a massage of baby powder which would work for about long enough to start fishing then it would go gummy again.  Whats worse, gummy sticky grips or little tiny Eva foam nubs?  Good bye shimano.

[tomustang]

The handle is part # rd 8170 and lloks to be available for $17.72, shipping if I remember shipping was pretty nominal.

The new handle does not come with parts # 5947, 11425, 8172, 8171, 13269 and 11465, you have to remove them from the old handle, you wont' get a proper fit otherwise. It's a pretty easy fix, getting the bushings out of the old reel ( 8172 and 11465 ) was a bit tricky at first.

That'll be my next choice if their doesn't work. I don't know how much pressure the job will take to remove since its on real good, ill have to look into that.

0119, I know what you're taking about. I've ran into their service before and came back unsatisfied.

[SirSnookalot]

That'll be my next choice if their doesn't work. I don't know how much pressure the job will take to remove since its on real good, ill have to look into that.

0119, I know what you're taking about. I've ran into their service before and came back unsatisfied.

I only had trouble at first until I figured out I needed to use parts from the old handle, then it was pretty easy, I am by far not the most mechanically inclined person.

Shimano service can be anything but a smooth experience, I've had a few problems with them myself.  Again I'm at the crossroad of decision, repair or replace.  My 4 or 5 year old 4000 fi has a rusted out  line roller bearing again. Last time Shimano didn't have the bearing in stock, after being played around a while by them they finally replaced the entire bail, glad to say at no charge, but my downtime was long.  That bearing is not in stock now either, luckily I can buy a bearing at Boca right at the counter.  The problem is I can't get the old bearing out, it's rusted bad, I'm going to try some PB blaster, if I'm successful it's an easy fix.  Sending it back to Shimano is cost prohibitive in my opinion, with parts, labor and shipping I may as well buy a new reel.  I still believe the stradic is at or near the top of it's class when it's performing, the problem is that it does go down from time to time, they really need to make this real more durable for saltwater.  In the end I'll probably buy a new one, why I'm not using my spheros 4000 is real mystery, as smooth as the stradic, way more durable and probably has a better drag, but I like buying new stuff...........lol.

[tomustang]

Well with all the rubbing, saltwater, and berkley gulp the finish didn't hold. I'll have to pick up another handle.