Geary feeling reels that are relatively new

[Brycecover]

I recently bought a shimano slx xt, came smooth but after one season of use it is feeling Geary. Already oiled. What causes this?

[garroyo130]

In my experience its usually a bad/dry pinion bearing. Per @Delaware Valley Tackle, I started using gear oil on all non-spool bearings and its made a world of difference.

[newapti5]

Besides bearing problem, make sure the water didn't get in the reel much. My fishing buddy's one-year-old Bantam is unusually geary, because almost every time he used it, large amount of water would mysteriously get in the reel. With water, those tiny dirt and sand will get in the gears and start grinding. He changed the pinion bearing, but the problem still exists.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

After a yr of use it’s time for a deep cleaning. The SLX is a quality reel but not a refined reel. It won’t be 100% silent and buttery smooth forever, if ever. Regular maintenance will make it best it can be. 

[T2DM]

I would start with replacing the pinion bearing part #10EX6 before doing anything else.

 

10EX6 – Shimano US Fish Shop

 

If no luck, then send it in @Delaware Valley Tackle for a deep cleaning.

[ElGuapo928]

I’ve got a BPS “Pro Qualifier” that started getting that feeling after a couple trips. Took it apart and found the gears had a really sticky, almost like cosmoline coating on them. Cleaned it off with a little brake cleaner on a rag and put a dab of Reel Butter on the gears - been trouble free ever since.

[Brycecover]

8 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

After a yr of use it’s time for a deep cleaning. The SLX is a quality reel but not a refined reel. It won’t be 100% silent and buttery smooth forever, if ever. Regular maintenance will make it best it can be. 

Take fully apart? I’ve never done that just watch a YouTube video to do it?

[greentrout]

1 hour ago, Brycecover said:

Take fully apart? I’ve never done that just watch a YouTube video to do it?

I tried that once. Big mistake. There are a lot of parts in a bait caster. DETAILS. Take it or mail it to a professional you trust or is recommended. Shimano is also a good place to start. Money well spent.  

[galyonj]

Everybody does it the first time. Here are some tips to ensure you're successful (this is how I was taught to repair guns and laptops):

 

1. Find the exploded view of the reel in the manual that came in the box (or on a PDF, which I recommend, because you can zoom in on the diagram)

2. Find a spacious, well-lit work area. Don't do this in the dark on your lap.

3. Find a good-size sheet of cardboard to use as your template. Cut it off a box or whatever.

3. As you disassemble the reel, use that cardboard to store the parts in a replica of that exploded diagram as they're removed and cleaned. This will help you reassemble the reel correctly. You can also use the cardboard to write notes by the parts for a variety of reasons.

4. Take. Your. Time. Haste makes waste. It also loses parts and sends springs rifling across the room.

[Brycecover]

10 hours ago, T2DM said:

I would start with replacing the pinion bearing part #10EX6 before doing anything else.

 

10EX6 – Shimano US Fish Shop

 

If no luck, then send it in @Delaware Valley Tackle for a deep cleaning.

You think it already needs replaced? Which one is that maybe I can check it if I take apart my reel

[Bluebasser86]

44 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

You think it already needs replaced? Which one is that maybe I can check it if I take apart my reel

If you're not 100% confident in what you're doing, just send it to @Delaware Valley Tackle to have it professionally cleaned and tuned. Then if anything needs replaced, he'll be able to let you know and can do it for you. 

[FrnkNsteen]

3 hours ago, galyonj said:

Everybody does it the first time. Here are some tips to ensure you're successful (this is how I was taught to repair guns and laptops):

 

1. Find the exploded view of the reel in the manual that came in the box (or on a PDF, which I recommend, because you can zoom in on the diagram)

2. Find a spacious, well-lit work area. Don't do this in the dark on your lap.

3. Find a good-size sheet of cardboard to use as your template. Cut it off a box or whatever.

3. As you disassemble the reel, use that cardboard to store the parts in a replica of that exploded diagram as they're removed and cleaned. This will help you reassemble the reel correctly. You can also use the cardboard to write notes by the parts for a variety of reasons.

4. Take. Your. Time. Haste makes waste. It also loses parts and sends springs rifling across the room.

Good advice,... The only thing I would add is do it in one sitting and take pictures as you go. Sleeping in the middle of the teardown lets you forget things easier when it's time to go back together!

 

Also,... If you can find a cheap older used reel, start with that first and make sure you can go through it and have it still work when you are done. Once you can confidently do that, you are ready to do nicer reels!

[Bankc]

4 hours ago, galyonj said:

Everybody does it the first time. Here are some tips to ensure you're successful (this is how I was taught to repair guns and laptops):

 

1. Find the exploded view of the reel in the manual that came in the box (or on a PDF, which I recommend, because you can zoom in on the diagram)

2. Find a spacious, well-lit work area. Don't do this in the dark on your lap.

3. Find a good-size sheet of cardboard to use as your template. Cut it off a box or whatever.

3. As you disassemble the reel, use that cardboard to store the parts in a replica of that exploded diagram as they're removed and cleaned. This will help you reassemble the reel correctly. You can also use the cardboard to write notes by the parts for a variety of reasons.

4. Take. Your. Time. Haste makes waste. It also loses parts and sends springs rifling across the room.

 

1 hour ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Good advice,... The only thing I would add is do it in one sitting and take pictures as you go. Sleeping in the middle of the teardown lets you forget things easier when it's time to go back together!

 

Also,... If you can find a cheap older used reel, start with that first and make sure you can go through it and have it still work when you are done. Once you can confidently do that, you are ready to do nicer reels!

That's it!  They're not too hard to take apart and put back together.  I would add that I like to work over a white bath towel.  Tiny parts love to bounce away and get lost.  And a white bath towel grabs parts as they fall out and makes them easy to find.  Don't use a good one though.  You'll get grease on it.  

 

Also, there are two bent washers that are shaped like tiny Pringles.  They're spacers, so align them so they separate from one another and create some space and tension.  Don't nestle them together, like in a Pringle's can.  They should oppose one another.  That's a common mistake lots of people make their first attempt.  

 

Watch a couple of YT videos showing how it's done on various reels before you start.  Most are pretty much the same.  This will give you an idea of how complex of an operation it is.  Then you'll know if it's worth attempting yourself or having someone else do it.  

[galyonj]

@Bankc spitting facts with the wave washers. Ask me how I know.

 

Pro-tip: I stab all the parts that I can into the cardboard. Especially tiny screws.

[WRB]

Send your reel to DVL who has the needed tools, parts and know how.

Tom

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I agree that this isn’t brain surgery, but it’s not for everyone either. I can assure you, changing bearings or anything else until after a deep cleaning is grasping at straws and a waste of time and money more often than not. The number one piece for successful DIY is confidence that you can do it. Not sure if that’s the case just from reading here. I’m happy to assist either way. 

[Darth-Baiter]

my wife just called to ask me the heck did i order.  nothing!!  i apparently have a box waiting for me from DVT.         

 

i reserve my brain power for other stuff.  spending a few bucks to get the work farmed out is an easy decision for me.  its not a lot of money.  i bet it is WAY more expensive to send a ziploc baggie of parts to him.  hahaha...

[Brycecover]

6 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I agree that this isn’t brain surgery, but it’s not for everyone either. I can assure you, changing bearings or anything else until after a deep cleaning is grasping at straws and a waste of time and money more often than not. The number one piece for successful DIY is confidence that you can do it. Not sure if that’s the case just from reading here. I’m happy to assist either way. 

How much do you charge for a cleaning and fixing whatever i would need for my reel? 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Cleaning/repair service is $26.95 plus shipping and parts if needed. That’s a frame of deep clean, part inspection, lubrication and reassembly. Any other questions please let me know. 

[dodgeguy]

On 11/17/2023 at 10:35 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Cleaning/repair service is $26.95 plus shipping and parts if needed. That’s a frame of deep clean, part inspection, lubrication and reassembly. Any other questions please let me know. 

That's a good deal !!!! 

[waymont]

On 11/15/2023 at 11:24 AM, Brycecover said:

I recently bought a shimano slx xt, came smooth but after one season of use it is feeling Geary. Already oiled. What causes this?

I had two of the current Curado 70 reels in 6 and 7 speed. I loved these reels for casting and comfort.

Unfortunately both got rough feeling in the middle of the second season. Nothing I tried helped much, cleaning, greasing, oiling, I even changed out the spool bearings on one. Not sure what was up with them because it doesn't seem like other people had the same problem. Sold them.