adam32 Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 I have 2 stradic fj 2500s. I really like these reels but I have a problem with the bail not opening all the way on both reels. About every 3 or 4 casts when I open the bail it doesn't want to open all the way. The problem is the metal rod that goes into the grooves in the friction ring. Instead of going in between the teeth on the friction ring it gets jammed on top them. It's really frustrating. Anyone else have this problem, or know of a fix besides removing the friction ring? 1 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted July 11, 2014 Super User Posted July 11, 2014 If the reels are still under warranty send them into Shimano. I have had numerous bail problems with my 2 stradic fi's, overall it's a pretty good reel. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 Make sure the bail is positioned with roller facing up to be sure the trip is blocking it from opening. The bail mechanism doesn't come in contact with the friction ring. All that does is keep the crank handle from "walking" on it's own. Quote
Super User .RM. Posted July 11, 2014 Super User Posted July 11, 2014 Make sure the bail is positioned with roller facing up to be sure the trip is blocking it from opening. The bail mechanism doesn't come in contact with the friction ring. All that does is keep the crank handle from "walking" on it's own. X2.. Never remove the friction rings... Quote
adam32 Posted July 11, 2014 Author Posted July 11, 2014 The bail mechanism definitely DOES contact the friction ring, that's what keeps the rotor from turning when the bail is open. The problem is when you open the bail the rod gets jammed on top of the teeth on the friction ring instead of going in between them. I understand if you open the bail with the roller side down its going to hit the bail trip ramp, that's not the problem. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 If you'd like to send the reel in for repair/maintenance I'll be happy to take care of it for you. Reference your BassResource.com screen name to receive a discount of 10% off labor. Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted July 11, 2014 Super User Posted July 11, 2014 Thanks, but no thanks.DVT is just trying to help and also offering his service which he is a expert at. If they are under warranty send them back... Sounds like user error to me. 1 Quote
adam32 Posted July 11, 2014 Author Posted July 11, 2014 User error huh... Give me a break! So if i don't want to spend my money by sending the reels in to be repaired it's user error? I know exactly what the problem is, I was just wondering if anyone had a easy fix. I'm definitely not the only one with this problem. I've talked to other people that have this problem with stradic fjs and sustain fgs. It's more of a design flaw than something broken. The reels still work fine except once in a while the bail sticks when opening it. It still opens all the way, but takes more force to do so. When it does this you can turn the rotor slightly and feel the bail trip rod pop down into the the groove in the friction ring. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted July 11, 2014 Super User Posted July 11, 2014 I noticed it occasionally, though not often. I would just close the bail, then open again, and all was fine. I removed the bail trip on my 4000, making it manual, because I use it for heave-ho casts all the time on my surf rod. It hasn't had the same issue. Quote
Capt.Bob Posted July 12, 2014 Posted July 12, 2014 User error huh... Give me a break! So if i don't want to spend my money by sending the reels in to be repaired it's user error? I know exactly what the problem is, I was just wondering if anyone had a easy fix. I'm definitely not the only one with this problem. I've talked to other people that have this problem with stradic fjs and sustain fgs. It's more of a design flaw than something broken. The reels still work fine except once in a while the bail sticks when opening it. It still opens all the way, but takes more force to do so. When it does this you can turn the rotor slightly and feel the bail trip rod pop down into the the groove in the friction ring. Interesting, I personally own a 1000FJ, 3000FJ, 4000FJ Stradics, 1000FG sustain, and Ci4+ 1000FA Stradic, along with the 1000 and 4000FI's I own, far superior to the pre FI friction ring,,,,, I have never had this problem,,,,,,I would send it in for warranty as I have never had such a problem or had a customer with this problem and would think if it was a problem you understood and new for sure, you would simply fix it?? And .RM.'s warning about not removing the friction ring should be taken seriously, if not you will have aggravating results!! 1 Quote
adam32 Posted July 12, 2014 Author Posted July 12, 2014 I understand that the bail will slam closed while casting if i remove the friction ring. That's why I was looking for a way to fix this problem without removing it. If I put a small amount of grease on top of the teeth of the ring it helps for a while until the grease wears away. The reels are over a year old so I assume they are not under warranty. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted July 12, 2014 Super User Posted July 12, 2014 The reels are over a year old so I assume they are not under warranty. I would send it to Shimano anyway. I had a bail problem that I trouble getting corrected both from local repair facilities as well as Shimano being out of stock on a part. Shimano's repair department should have most parts even thought their parts department don't. I did send my out of warranty stradic to them, they fixed my reel free of charge and paid the postage back. I have dealt with " Authorized Shimano repair centers", like any reel repairer they may not have the parts. I would go only direct to the manufacture. Quote
Capt.Bob Posted July 12, 2014 Posted July 12, 2014 I understand that the bail will slam closed while casting if i remove the friction ring. That's why I was looking for a way to fix this problem without removing it. If I put a small amount of grease on top of the teeth of the ring it helps for a while until the grease wears away. The reels are over a year old so I assume they are not under warranty. That may be your problem, I have never greased or oiled a new style friction ring, or an old style, I never needed to. But will assure you if you did that on the older style you would turn the ring to gum and soften it prematurely. I don't think this will hurt the material on the new style, but would buy a new friction ring and replace the old one, do not lube them and see if your problem still exist, if you refuse to let Shimano inspect them, and correct the problem. There are to many things that go unsaid without seeing them, and from doing this for years know, customers never cause a problem,,,,,,, Quote
adam32 Posted July 12, 2014 Author Posted July 12, 2014 Had the problem from day one before I ever added any grease to the friction ring. The friction rings come greased from shimano with permalube. I actually was going to replace the friction rings with new ones but couldn't find any. Shimano told they wouldn't have any in stock until September. Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted July 12, 2014 Super User Posted July 12, 2014 So far nobody has the answer you want to hear even though you received several good suggestions. If you have had this problem since day one & you have said the reels are over a year old why look for a solution now? 6 Quote
adam32 Posted September 15, 2014 Author Posted September 15, 2014 If anyone is interested or having the same ptoblems, I was able to get some new friction rings from shimano. I was told by a shimano rep that they actually made a change to these friction rings because so many people were having the same issues. They make the ring with a slightly larger diameter now so it turns much easier. I replaced the rings in both my reels and they work perfect now. Quote
adam32 Posted September 15, 2014 Author Posted September 15, 2014 So far nobody has the answer you want to hear even though you received several good suggestions. If you have had this problem since day one & you have said the reels are over a year old why look for a solution now? Uh... because I still use the reels and I would like them to work correctly. Quote
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