Shimano slx mgl side plate won't close

[Grob1832]

My new Shimano slx mgl side plate won't close. It's not the spool tension knob being tight that's keeping it from closing, I've loosened it all the way. I've taken the spool all the way out of the reel and the side plate still won't close. Any suggestions?

[Brett's_daddy]

16 minutes ago, Grob1832 said:

My new Shimano slx mgl side plate won't close. It's not the spool tension knob being tight that's keeping it from closing, I've loosened it all the way. I've taken the spool all the way out of the reel and the side plate still won't close. Any suggestions?

Maybe putting this post under the Rods & Reels forum instead of the Tackle forum will get you more results?

[Kenny Yi]

is the side plate able to be flush with the frame?

[Grob1832]

It sits flush the latch only closes half way...when I first received the reel it would open and close fine, went out for first time with reel, of course birdnest, then ever since won't close. Only used a single time.

[JustJames]

Ooops I saw that you tried spool tension. Maybe brake block struck prevent side plate to sit properly? Try put all 6 into off mode?

[Grob1832]

Yeah no worries I'm thinking I'm going to have to send it out to get repaired just sucks only got to use it once. I own other shimanos and haven't had this problem, probably a faulty part. Thanks for the help.

[Kenny Yi]

can you close the latch with the side plate off the frame?

[MiceNReets]

Have you taken the spool out and then closed it without issues with no spool in?

[bulldog1935]

This counts as the most complex reel schematic I've ever looked into.  

There's a lot going on in the palm plate, and looks like the palm plate has a rod that goes all the way through the frame.  

The spool itself is basic, though I guess it has the SVS brake that has to fit inside the brake race in the palm plate  - the spindle glides through the pinion gear, the pin keys on the pinion gear, and the palm-side spindle drops in the palm bearing as long as the SVS clears. 

Unless loose line is binding the spool on the frame, I'd be looking at how it closes without the spool installed.  

Make sure the latch mechanism is fully open when you try this.  

If it still doesn't close without the spool, something is misaligned along that rod.  

 

If it does work, and the spool isn't pinching line in the frame, try installing with the cast button depressed to fully relax the pinion gear.  

The spindle pin could be sitting on a high point on the pinion without dropping into the slot.  

When I install a spool, before the palm plate, I always make sure the spool is turning the drive so that I know the spindle pin is keyed in the pinion slot.  

[JustJames]

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

This counts as the most complex reel schematic I've ever looked into.  

 

Once you open a few Shimanos up, you won’t need schematic anymore. It is very simple and all about the same.

Your Daiwa, on the other hand a lot more complicated ???. Just side plate screw alone (old pixy) are all different size (3 screw). Hard to get to internal bearing (main shaft and pinion support bearings. Don’t ever think about maintenance those magnetic, you might not be able to put it back together. ??

Oh btw for those Daiwa fanboys, please don’t quote me again. I’m just kidding with my old friend not you guys.

[bulldog1935]

I've been a Lew's guy since 1984.  Shimano didn't impress me until the '19 Stradic.  Though I have a friend with a flock of Metaniums and he hasn't looked back.  

I wasn't even a mag fanboy until the past 5 years, blown away by distance and wind control on my LFS Super Duty - I gave away a Custom Inshore with their centrifugal+mag because I didn't like the added spool weight.  Only been a SV-TW guy for a month, but I started at the top.  It was Daiwa's mag combined with the aftermarket spool options that got my attention there, and been really impressed with the light-lure result.  

[Kelley350x]

I’m hoping aiming figured out the issue. My son just opened the side cover on his slx 150xg and we can’t get it to latch back. 
 

The side cover appears to set tight against the frame with no gaps but the latch will only go half way to the closed position when the cover is closed. 
 

I removed the spool, backed completely off the spool tension, set the brake to min, and cleaned any grit out of it. It will won’t latch correctly. Any advise? 

[LCG]

8 minutes ago, Kelley350x said:

I’m hoping aiming figured out the issue. My son just opened the side cover on his slx 150xg and we can’t get it to latch back. 
 

The side cover appears to set tight against the frame with no gaps but the latch will only go half way to the closed position when the cover is closed. 
 

I removed the spool, backed completely off the spool tension, set the brake to min, and cleaned any grit out of it. It will won’t latch correctly. Any advise? 

I realize this may be simple, but did you ensure the lock switch is set to open, not closed?

 

If yes, maybe flip the side plate to the top and ensure the spring mechanism isn't binding.

[purpurite]

I had the same issue on my MGL and it sent me into mild panic. I pulled the spool out, put it back in and made sure it was fully seated in the drive cup. Make sure the latch is fully wide open on the side plate, and that the side plate goes on perfectly square. It's quite fiddly but I was able to get it to sit flat and lock. For me, it was just a matter of getting everything perfectly aligned to get it all seated.