Basic do's and don'ts of taking apart a baitcaster?

[Ratherbfishing]

Are there any basic do's and don'ts you recommend for taking apart (and putting back together) a baitcaster (specifically a Pro Qualifier)?  I need to give mine some basic oiling/greasing and don't want a bunch of spare parts laying around when I'm done.

[jimmyjoe]

   Yes, I have very definite "dos and donts" when it comes to taking apart a baitcaster. "Do" send it to a professional, and "Don't" do it myself. 

   Of course, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it ........              jj

[LCG]

Take lots of pics with your phone, as in each step. Careful with clips and springs, they go flying easily. I recently cleaned my Daiwa fuego and somehow the pinion yoke spring came loose and got mangled in the gear. Waiting for a replacement spring... I like tinkering but it can be frustrating. YouTube is a great way to learn. 

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

Magnifying glass.

 

Right tools for the job.

 

I work in a parts tray (magnetic), helps keep everything in one place.

[Outdoors]

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Yes, I have very definite "dos and donts" when it comes to taking apart a baitcaster. "Do" send it to a professional, and "Don't" do it myself. 

   Of course, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it ........              jj

The first baitcaster I disassembled fell apart into pieces, so I shipped it off to the professionals to service it, and piece it back together. Lol.

[garroyo130]

If possible, take the AR out in one piece. Not sure if thats how it is on that particular reel but on some the bearings will come out of the housing and can be a pain to put back in.

[DomQ]

Dont press thumb bar when reel is apart... it's like a wedding but instead of rice flying everywhere its springsssssss!

[JustJames]

Have schematic on hand, take a lot of picture especially washers and screws. Just regular oil and grease, you don’t need to take all apart. Oil 2 spool bearing, grease main and pinion gears use trim paint brush to get the grease into gear teeth. Don't attempt to take apart worm gear, if you are not sure, instead use cleaner spray like CRC electronic cleaner spray (I use Rem oil). You don’t really need to clean mainshaft bearing/bushing so leave it alone. Don’t grease AR bearing (don’t even try to remove it from housing) just a drop of oil on q-tip and apply around roller should be enough.

 

 

[Manly Studson]

In addition to the schematic, you may find a YouTube video of your exact reel being cleaned. Many of the popular reels are on YouTube. Baitcasters are not difficult to clean. But a spinning reel can be tough to reassemble—at least for me.

[PhishLI]

If that particular reel has the grease port for the main gear located on the bottom of the handle sideplate then you must remove it prior to removing the handle side plate. Once you've completed greasing, and when you're ready to reinstall the screws that hold the handle sideplate to the frame, or any fine thread screw, with slight pressure only, rotate the screw counter clockwise until you feel or hear a slight click. This is where the lead in threads meet. Make sure the screw is perpendicular to the frame and not on an angle at all, then proceed to rotate it clockwise gently until it's snug. If you haven't begun to crossthread them they will thread in easily. If you feel any resistance then you have, so stop quickly and start over. Starting these screws this way will eliminate cross threading them and causing you undue heartache.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Take your time and set aside time to complete the job in one sitting. An hr to two depending how far into it you’re going. 

[swhit140]

4 hours ago, Ratherbfishing said:

Are there any basic do's and don'ts you recommend for taking apart (and putting back together) a baitcaster (specifically a Pro Qualifier)?  I need to give mine some basic oiling/greasing and don't want a bunch of spare parts laying around when I'm done.

If you have a phone just film as you take it apart and or take pictures. I use Acetone to clean the bearings. Don't over do it when oiling the bearings it only needs one drop. Use grease on the gears.

Jim @ TackleJunky81 on You Tube has some good videos on Bass Pro Pro Qualifier reel disassembly/cleaning/lube service.

 

 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Never force anything back together ..if it came apart really easy  and wont go back easy 9 outta 10 times is something small delicate and easy to loose or bend 

[FordsnFishin]

Do all in one sitting as you're new. 

 

Always have a schematic. Don't have original than you can get online. I typically print one off if I don't have it. 

 

Lay everything out in order as you take it apart.

 

I like to totally tear down the reel first, then clean one part at a time. Just let's be keep everything in order and do I don't forget to do something. 

[Dens228]

Considering all the tiny parts, including springs, and adding in my thick fingers, my rule is..........don't.  LOL

[MassYak85]

LOTS of pictures. Like others said small springs and clips are gonna give you the biggest headache out of anything, open up the reel inside a plastic bag if you have to to avoid them flying. 

 

Once I'm comfortable with a reel I can pretty much strip it to the frame, leave the parts scattered in a bowl and put it back together from memory but if I'm not I get a Plano box and use the dividers to group parts as I take them out and clean them. 

[HenryPF]

Never had an issue with it - but don't use Quantum Hot Sauce for oil/grease

[kayaking_kev]

What's the average cost of sending a reel in to be cleaned?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

4 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

What's the average cost of sending a reel in to be cleaned?

I get $26.95 for Deep Cleaning (full frame off tear down) and now offer an Econo Service for $18 (flush and oil spool bearings, oil and grease reel as needed) postage averages $8 depending on weight, distance and insurance chosen.