Cgrinder Posted March 1, 2014 Posted March 1, 2014 So I have a somewhat interesting problem today. I went to take the handle off my 51E and the screw that holds the cap on will not budge. I tried my 201E to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong, but that screw also will not turn. However, I can unscrew the handle on my Citica 201D without issue. These are both new reels that I have not taken the handles off of before. I am turning the screw counterclockwise but I also tried clockwise just for fun with no luck. The one thing I can conclude is that the Chronarch handle screws are lousy. The 51E's stripped pretty much immediately, so I have a new fun problem after I resolve this one! Anyone have any input? Quote
black94gt50 Posted March 2, 2014 Posted March 2, 2014 If it's badly stripped take a very small drill bit and just drill it out, or take a dremel and cut a slot in the top of the screw head and try to take it out with a flathead screwdriver. I'm not familiar with the handle or if the nut retainer on those reels are plastic, but you can heat the metal where the screw is and it'll prob come out a lot easier. 1 Quote
Cgrinder Posted March 2, 2014 Author Posted March 2, 2014 Nut retainer is definitely composite. Basically the screw is super stuck. I got the screw out of the 201E with significant effort and some colorful language. It made a distinctive "pop" then turned. That leads me to believe that there may be something in there with the screws from the factory. Not certain. Anyway, I have stripped the heck out of the 51E's screw but I can get a flathead to catch. No luck getting the screw to turn. I am hesitant to drill it. I do like the dremel idea but I think I would have to buy one and I'm not certain I could get it to turn anyway. I put a message in to DVT and I'm calling Shimano customer service. I mean, I shouldn't have stripped the screw, but why the heck was it so hard to remove in the first place? Quote
alexandboi Posted March 2, 2014 Posted March 2, 2014 I had the same thing happen to me when I first took apart my chronarch 201e6 except it was the side plate screws. I actually stripped two of them but managed to get them out by placing a flathead diagonally on the screw and tapping the butt of the screwdriver. I wouldn't recommend doing it that way though since it did leave a few scratch marks. Did notice that there was some sort of blue "glue" or whatever on the screws though which was probably why the screws were hard to remove. 1 Quote
black94gt50 Posted March 2, 2014 Posted March 2, 2014 The blue stuff was more than likely loctite. Just take a dremel, cut a slot in the screw, then take a lighter or small butane torch and hit the underside of the screw, doesn't have to be super hot just warm, you don't wanna melt the composite but retainer. Loctite will come unglued with a lil heat. My other hobby is messing around with drag cars, so I've had a lot of experience with stuck bolts and broken bolts, crap like that. It shouldn't be too hard to get the screw out if you fiddle with it a little bit. Quote
Hogsticker Posted March 2, 2014 Posted March 2, 2014 Really not a big deal. You can get those screws for super duper cheap at T trap and other places. Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted March 2, 2014 Super User Posted March 2, 2014 Invest in a set of good screwdrivers if you plan to take reels apart. I use Wiha screwdrivers and it makes things a lot easier. Quote
Cgrinder Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 So things just got hilarious. My girlfriend decided she could get a fingernail under the composite nut retainer. So a little prying and boom, the nut retainer is up! So I take some pliers and break the composite nut retainer (I am mad at this point), get the loctite-covered screw out, take the handle off, and put on the Hawg Handle. It fit so much better! VICTORY! TEMPORARY VICTORY! So my girlfriend had picked up the 201E. Not the 51E with the stripped screw. The 201E with the perfectly fine and removable screw. We destroyed the nut retainer on the wrong reel and took ten minutes to notice. I guess I can't tell the difference between palming different Shimanos after all. So now I'm ordering a second Hawg Handle and angrily calling Shimano's customer service tomorrow armed with pictures of very-blue screws. At least I don't have to send the reel in! Quote
black94gt50 Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 I wouldn't call shimano with a bad attitude. The loctite is there for a reason, so the screw won't back out while your out on the lake. A good screw driver and careful removal, and none of this would've ever happened. Glad you got it off either way, hawgtech handles looks sweet. 1 Quote
Cgrinder Posted March 3, 2014 Author Posted March 3, 2014 I need to pretend to be angry about this or else I'll just get lazy and not call. Quote
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