Spinning reel cleaning question

[Justbass11]

 I was just wondering, just how hard is it to clean a spinning reel? Just how hard is it? 

[MN Fisher]

Easier than cleaning a baitcaster.

 

I had a vid of cleaning my old Pflueger 640...but somehow I've lost it. But here's a vid of a guy doing a full tear-down clean of a Pflueger President. Most reels are pretty similar...it helps to have the breakout diagram of your specific reel, which should have been included when you bought it.

 

[newapti5]

1 hour ago, Justbass11 said:

 I was just wondering, just how hard is it to clean a spinning reel? Just how hard is it? 

 

It depends. If it's a Daiwa Magsealed reel, you'll have to send it to Daiwa maintenance center. If it's a mid-high end model, like the new Stradic FL, there might be many rubber seals and small pieces to handle with cautions. Otherwise, it should be relatively easy; just take photos along the way. 

[OkobojiEagle]

If you tackle the job, I'd recommend cleaning the anti-reverse bearing AS A UNIT and NOT take it apart.

 

oe

[MickD]

I used to do it, but not since reels have gotten so complex - I'll leave it to experts.

 

If you take reasonable care of your reels it will not be necessary very often.  Mine go years between being taken apart.  I oil the moving parts that are on the outside and inject a little grease every couple years.  I keep them off the ground, don't allow them to be submerged, keep them in clean areas when stored and in transit.  

[Chris Catignani]

One thing I like to do is set the parts in a row(s).

In the order you took em off...and in the orientation you took it off.

[The Bassman]

I'm a lot more comfortable servicing my baitcasters than I am with spinning.

[garroyo130]

12 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Easier than cleaning a baitcaster.

 

I respectfully disagree ... baitcasters make sense in how the parts fit together. If you completely take apart a spinning reel AR mechanism, its often difficult to reinstall even with a diagram. Same thing with the bail assembly, depending on design. Also if you ever come across a spinning reel where the main gear was over-shimmed to ensure proper clearance and you try to reassemble based strictly off diagram ... good luck.