Citica E Gear Problem?

[nameiztaken]

I bought a used Citica E on the monstrous auction site, works great so far, except for the fact it has been fished a good amount since 2008 without any gear swaps...

So yeah, I think it either had bad grease on it before, or maybe the previous owner was just using it for high-resistance baits. I also see other signs of wear such as drive shaft slop (I replaced the bushing with a bearing and that fixed it)

So far I love this reel, but just need to get one problem sorted out, it seems that the gears may be a bit worn, they give off a decent audible geary feeling on the retrieve, and gets stronger if I tie on a high-resistance bait. The gears look great to me visually, so I cleaned out the reel and reapplied some standard marine grease to the parts that need grease, and flushed and re-oiled the bearings with a drop of Abu Precision Oil. The geary feeling is weaker now, but not by much. I can hear the gears meeting together on the retrieve. However, if nothing is tied on and the line is taped down to the spool, the reel is buttery smooth on the retrieve. I bought the reel intending to upgrade it to become a "Citrado 200e7", so I had a gear swap to 7.0:1 in mind before I even purchased it and can purchase the brand new gears for $45, but I just want to know if I am doing something wrong with the gears, or if the gears are just worn out before I need to purchase a new gear set. It also seems that the pinion gear may be rubbing up against the spool shaft, as I see wear on the spool shaft where it rides on the pinion gear.

Note: The seller noted this in his listing, so I was not "scammed" by any means, I also purchased it for a VERY good price!

Thanks in advance! 

 

 

 

 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Roll the spool on a table top and see if the shaft is off. That could cause the rub and gear noise. Maybe replace the pinion support bearing in the frame. These aren't common or likely problems just things to check. 

[nameiztaken]

2 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Roll the spool on a table top and see if the shaft is off. That could cause the rub and gear noise. Maybe replace the pinion support bearing in the frame. These aren't common or likely problems just things to check. 

Just checked, spool shaft is the straightest I've seen on a reel so far (no visual  up/down movement when rolling), the wear is even on all sides of the shaft so it looks like it isn't bent. The bearing also functions smoothly and is seated correctly from what I can tell.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Good. I'd clean up the shaft with some 2000 grip paper, install the gearset and matching Carbontex drag. 

[kickerfish1]

If you need gear sets any from the Curado 200 E series or Chronarch 200 E series will work but are about $25 - 30 per set. If you are wanting it for resistance baits get the 5:0.1 for all around use the 6:5.1 or for something requiring higher IPT the 7:0.1.

[nameiztaken]

Just now, kickerfish1 said:

If you need gear sets any from the Curado 200 E series or Chronarch 200 E series will work but are about $25 - 30 per set. If you are wanting it for resistance baits get the 5:0.1 for all around use the 6:5.1 or for something requiring higher IPT the 7:0.1.

Are they new? or like new? Interested in the 6.5:1 but I would need to wait for payday.

[kickerfish1]

They are new. Here is a link with some in stock and ready to ship from a great business to buy from. If you are wanting the 6:5.1 ratio maybe call them and see if they could order it directly from Shimano. Or if you would rather call Shimano directly you could see what they would charge you for a gear set shipped.

http://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=898_792_793

Under Shimano parts and then gear sets.

[webertime]

Order directly from Shimano the 7 and 6 gearset (pinon and drive) are ~$25-$29.  Might I recommend you at least get the G series Citica Handle as well (~$15).  The E series is thin and the mounting hole tends to deform with hard use.  Do the Carbontex drag as well.

[nameiztaken]

Is TackleTrap a good place to purchase the gears? Seems that Shimano doesn't have the 7.0:1 Key Washers in stock needed for the swap from 6.3:1 to 7.0:1 in my Citica E. Also, @Delaware Valley Tackle would you be able to supply the parts needed for the gear swap? (pinion, main, key washer, and carbontex drag)

 

[iabass8]

Tackletrap is awesome. Use code TT10.

[kickerfish1]

Just buy the kit from TheTackleTrap and use the code that Iabass8 noted and you are set. Free shipping over $75 so maybe add some plastics, hardbaits, or more reel parts like a handle to get up to $75. Since the reel platform is discontinued parts won't be around forever so you may want to grab it while you can. They are a great place to do business with

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

7 hours ago, nameiztaken said:

Is TackleTrap a good place to purchase the gears? Seems that Shimano doesn't have the 7.0:1 Key Washers in stock needed for the swap from 6.3:1 to 7.0:1 in my Citica E. Also, @Delaware Valley Tackle would you be able to supply the parts needed for the gear swap? (pinion, main, key washer, and carbontex drag)

 

I have some misc parts but usually order as needed. I have a whole hear set but it's for a lefty. 

[nameiztaken]

6 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Since the reel platform is discontinued parts won't be around forever so you may want to grab it while you can.

Well not only that but I kinda need my all-around reel working good again, preferably sooner than later. xD

[kickerfish1]

Reel parts are a bit more costly than one would think. A new set of gears and a handle can easily clear $60 right there. That isn't even a fancy carbon fiber handle either.

I have a set of 6:5.1 gears sitting in my parts drawer for my Citica 200E for the day they wear out or get damaged some how.

I have a few extra gear sets for my 50 series reels as well. Since I have quite a few 50s I am going to be stocking up on parts that seem to go missing easily or tend to wear out the fastest.

If it is a reel that you like and plan on keeping for many years I would buy whatever parts you want or think you might need before they start to dry up and become difficult to source. If places like the Tackle Trap or Shimano stop carrying them at some point your only other option is Ebay or buying reels used somewhere for just the parts.