Maintenance On My Chronarch?

[BassinNCstyle]

Is having it cleaned once a year good enough? I fish about once a week. Not sure if suppose to be oiling it or even where.

Any tips appreciated!

[cddan]

The bearings the spool ride on need the most attention. If you make a lot of casts that one day a week and its hot out. Those spool bearings may require a vey small amount of oiling. The lightest drop occasionally. Dont over due it. If your reel seems a little off and your line isn't too roughed up, your bearings may need a drop. I m notorious for overdoing it but I prefer not to run them dry. Use good oil like hot sauce or ardent. Those I'm familiar with and work well. I favor the quantum hot sauce but don't own any right now. Occasionally I borrow some. It seems to allow greater bearing speed. This can be a hindrance too without proper spool control via breaking mechanically or manual thumb control. With hot sauce you really don't wanna over due it cause it can fling out and get on the spool causing it to rotate improperly. The ardent oil seeems a little more forgiving but not much. I like the hot sauce even more in colder weather.Not sure it matters but it seems more temperature friendly. I have heard here on the forums people like Tsi321 or 301 oil. One has a solvent(321 I think). I haven't tried it but I can't own it all as much as I would like. Others swear by sticking to reel specifications and using oil brand specific. Shimano with Shimano oil. Im sure it works well. Keeping the bearings clean and properly oiled makes the reel work it's best.

There are links at the top of the forum that will help you also, good fishing and tight lines to ya.

[BassinNCstyle]

Thanks for the informative reply. I know this is a rookie question but how do I oil bearings?

[cddan]

Your spool I believe spins on three bearings. One inside the palming side plate. Open it put a drop more or less in the center groove in the bearing. It will work itself around when you spin the spool after reassembly. The next bearing is where the spool shaft enters the gearing add a drop on the center groove. The last bearing is under your tension cap. Do the same and reset your tension cap to the proper tension. Always be careful not to allow any loose parts to drop out. Sometimes the washer in the tension cap may pop out. This washer can also use a dab of oil. Some, I do, also very lightly grease the very ends of the the spool shaft. Just a smidge. Not absolutely necessary and some people don't because grease tends to get into the bearings and make them spin less. Similarly too much oil or dirt. Too much oil and the bearings have to push a wave, so to speak, of oil.
You could also Google how to maintain a shimano baitcaster.
Welcome to baitcasting this is just the tip of the iceberg with making them operate at there best. Don't overdoe anything and always take your time when working on them and you'll be very pleased with it.

[TNBassin']

When I oil mine I put a tiny drop on an exacto blade. Makes it easier for me to only get a small amount in there.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A shimano should have come with a small tube of oil, use that on the bearings. Remove the spool tension cap and put one drop on the side of the bearing. Replace the cap and open the brake side case and oil the bearing there the same way. If you see dirt and debris building up on the level wind worm gear brush it off gently and put a drop or two of oil on it. Annual deep cleaning is a good starting point. Being new I suggest sending it in after the season and then maybe bi-annually after that if use is light.

[TNBassin']

A shimano should have come with a small tube of oil, use that on the bearings. Remove the spool tension cap and put one drop on the side of the bearing. Replace the cap and open the brake side case and oil the bearing there the same way. If you see dirt and debris building up on the level wind worm gear brush it off gently and put a drop or two of oil on it. Annual deep cleaning is a good starting point. Being new I suggest sending it in after the season and then maybe bi-annually after that if use is light.

DVT, do u recommend using grease on the inside of the spool tension cap or light oil? I always scrub the grease off the inside and put a dot of oil. What do u recommend?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Taking some excessive grease out isn't a bad idea. I usually use a really thin film of grease on the shims as it stays put better. Just using a light film of either is ok though.

[TNBassin']

Thanks.