Ambassadeur classic 7000

[Bobsjohn]

Took it apart to change bearings originally but when I when to put the handle end back on it would not close it left a gap and when I tried to reel the spool would not move at all. If I screwed the screws in the spool does not move and if I loosened them the spool moves but there's a gap in the spool area regardless if screws are tightened or loosened. Lost.

Edited April 25, 2020 by Bobsjohn
Reword

[CrankFate]

It pains me to see this. I will be even more in pain if you are fishing for bass with this reel in 2020. If you are targeting largemouth bass and small mouth bass in fresh water, the last thing in the world you should be using is this reel. Go get a new reel (any new reel) that is at least 6000 sizes smaller than that. Brand new, in the lighter metals of the current day, this reel weighs 21.50 ounces. A bad rod and reel set up that weighs 5 ounces less then this, including the rod, is most likely too heavy for the task. Just pack that away into the sentimental storage box and move on.

[MN Fisher]

Save that reel for salt-water or muskie, sturgeon, channel cats or other 'monster' fish. 21.5 oz is way too heavy for a bass reel - my heaviest reel for bassing weighs less than half what that thing does. If you're not planning on hunting the 'big boys', fresh or salt, then put it on a shelf to admire and get a new reel.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Loosen the spool tension cap(s) and use a tool to disengage the clutch inside the side plate. Still no luck, open the side plate and make sure the pinion is seated seated correctly 

[Fishes in trees]

That yellow line appears to be some pretty stout line.   How much line does that reel hold?   I have an Eagle Claw rod and an old deep sea fishing reel, just slightly bigger than that reel and I use that outfit for flying kites.  My reel will hold just under a third of a mile of 60 lb test mono.  Using the snagging rod I can fly a kite in 15 MPH winds or so.    A couple of times I tried flying the kite in bigger winds, and the kite broke.

 

Back to speaking as a fisherman, previous posters are correct in that, that reel is too big to be a decent bass reel.  As long as it still works, it has great potential as a muskie/ big fish reel - maybe a trolling reel.  IMO it is way too heavy to bass fish with.  ( Unless you got forearms & wrists like Popeye, in which case knock yourself out )

[Tywithay]

I had a similar issue with my 5500 and the spool shaft wasn't seated fully. It made an audible click when I pushed it all the way in.

[Nelson Delaney]

Try pushing in/out the spool release button when you put the side plate on.  I have this problem when cleaning my Abu round reels.