Super User Choporoz Posted January 4, 2017 Super User Posted January 4, 2017 I'd love a sticky with description of most basic DIY4Dummies baitcast reel 'maintenance'. I did a few BR searches and some googles, but I'm still a bit unsure..... I am comfortable with basic cleaning and oiling of my spinning reels. And I am VERY comfortable sending my baitcast reels to DVT every couple years, or as needed. But, what about 'periodic' stuff? Beyond loosening the drag, I'm a little confused.....what sort of oil on the levelwind? where/how applied? oil the handle? grips? and once I take the side plate off, its pretty much over for me...I can barely change a lightbulb....no way do I intend to ever start tearing down a reel. But, I would like to take care of some basic cleaning/oiling/lubing....if it helps and I don't have to actually take anything apart. 1 Quote
BrackishBassin Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 Would love to get some information on this as well. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 4, 2017 Super User Posted January 4, 2017 DO you mean preparing the reel for storage, or using in sub freezing temps? Quote
Super User Team9nine Posted January 4, 2017 Super User Posted January 4, 2017 If you do a simple Google search for Shimano Reel Maintenance, the first link that shows up (Reel Maintenance Instructions - Shimano) has a variety of great PDF files showing basic step by step instructions with good pictures to cover all basic maintenance, regardless whether you own one of their products or not ? -T9 5 Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted January 4, 2017 Author Super User Posted January 4, 2017 Thanks, T9! Perfect -- two pages....in English....with pictures! 2 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 4, 2017 Super User Posted January 4, 2017 I tear them completely down and perform my annual deep cleaning. Then store them away in a padded case with the drag star backed off. Spools get stored in a separate padded box with painters tape around them to identify what line is on it. Quote
CTBassin860 Posted January 4, 2017 Posted January 4, 2017 18 hours ago, Choporoz said: I'd love a sticky with description of most basic DIY4Dummies baitcast reel 'maintenance'. I did a few BR searches and some googles, but I'm still a bit unsure..... I am comfortable with basic cleaning and oiling of my spinning reels. And I am VERY comfortable sending my baitcast reels to DVT every couple years, or as needed. But, what about 'periodic' stuff? Beyond loosening the drag, I'm a little confused.....what sort of oil on the levelwind? where/how applied? oil the handle? grips? and once I take the side plate off, its pretty much over for me...I can barely change a lightbulb....no way do I intend to ever start tearing down a reel. But, I would like to take care of some basic cleaning/oiling/lubing....if it helps and I don't have to actually take anything apart. GREASE on the levelwind/gears.Oil on the bearings Quote
flyingmonkie Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 Whoa, wait a second... winterizing your reels??? How do you go fishing? 1 Quote
XzyluM Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 I personally don't put grease on my levelwind; I use heavy oil instead. I usually do an annual deep clean in the winter and periodic lubing as needed. There is some tutorials on YouTube that was a huge help when I started doing my own maintenance and are worth checking out. Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 I don't think it's stickied but there is a GREAT article on this site that goes very in depth on all sorts of reel maintenance from lubing, cleaning to replacing parts. It's a lot of info but if you skip over the parts that don't pertain to basic maintenance you should find what you are looking for. You can get as basic or as anal as you want. Just scroll down to the cleaning and lubrication and decide how far you want to dive in. A lot of stuff you can do with minimal teardown of the reel. You don't have to make your reel look like the part diagram it comes with to do basic oiling or greasing. It's also a good idea to start on an older or cheaper reel to get a hang of things. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/supertune-baitcaster.html 2 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 15 hours ago, Choporoz said: Thanks, T9! Perfect -- two pages....in English....with pictures! That's a really good resource. I'd say, for storage, stick to the first page. If you're even slightly mechanically inclined, go on to the second page. Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted January 5, 2017 Author Super User Posted January 5, 2017 16 hours ago, MassBassin508 said: GREASE on the levelwind/gears.Oil on the bearings From the article that @MassYak85 linked: Doesn't 'settle' any potential disagreements, but seems to be a good enough explanation for me... "Regarding level-wind components, some folks use grease, some use oil, and some use a mixture of oil and grease. Tried it all, at one time or another. If you use grease, or very heavy oil, grit will stick to it, and cause some undue wear. If you use light oil it will wash out easily and cause undue wear. There is no secret solution to this problem. This part of the reel demands frequent attention, that’s all. Use whatever you’re comfortable using, and pay particular attention, looking for signs of contamination or loss of lube. If it gets to the point you can feel the level-wind dragging, it is probably too late. You’re going to be replacing parts soon." Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 I've been using automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the level wind worm gear. The main thing is, don't let it get gunked up. One thing to remember, the pawl is a sacrificial, wearable part. It's usually made of something softer than the worm gear, though not always. Conventional wisdom says to replace both parts together, as you would a main gear and pinion, though I've changed out the pawl too many times to count, and left the worm gear in tact with no issues. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 1 minute ago, J Francho said: I've been using automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the level wind worm gear. Good Morning J ~ Will that work on the manual as as well ? Like the 5 & 6 speeds, and lets not forget .. .. .. "Three on the Tree" A-Jay 2 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 2 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Good Morning J ~ Will that work on the manual as as well ? Like the 5 & 6 speeds, and lets not forget .. .. .. "Three on the Tree" A-Jay I have no idea, but it's excellent in coffee. 1 Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 The Shimano resource is a good suggestion for interim maintenance. When it comes to the level wind, brush/sweep it free of debris and add a drop of oil. Nothing fancy but I advise against grease as it tends to collect debris and gum up. 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.