Shimano Spinning Reel Problem

[REW]

Jig,
I just had too reels of two different non shimano brand do exactly what you describe. i.e. lock up and be hard to turn.

I removed the spool, I removed the rotating assembly under the spool by removing the locking screw and locking nut.

In both reels, the problem was the same. The top bearing in the center of the reel was essentially running dry and the bearing was locking up. All that I had to do, was to give the one bearing a good lube and that completely freed up the reel. Of course as long as I had the reel partially torn down, I lubed up the rest of the reel.

The thing that I have found when reels are used heavily that they should have a few drops of oil added at least every other day to the center shaft and handle assemblies.

good luck
REW

[northernbite]

This may be crude on everybodies part but I use mine mostly on Canadian trips. I clean when I get home but every morning I spray the whole reel with WD 40, my cousin laughs at me but the darn things work. Nothing fancy about this but that must be the farmer in me.
I've been thinking about getting out my old Mitchell 300's and trying them after 20 years.

Paul

[jeffbilodeau]

Originally Posted by northernbite

This may be crude on everybodies part but I use mine mostly on Canadian trips. I clean when I get home but every morning I spray the whole reel with WD 40, my cousin laughs at me but the darn things work. Nothing fancy about this but that must be the farmer in me.
I've been thinking about getting out my old Mitchell 300's and trying them after 20 years.

Paul

Ha!!!!! I still have a 300 in the basement. Bet it still works and has countless revolutions on it.
I too have had my share of Shimano issues. Breaking bail wires on Sahara reels. Binding and drag issues start when they get wet. Dunk one and see how the drag slips regardless of tightness. Easy to fix...just wipe take apart and dry out. Reel handles squeak on all of them...annoying as heck!!! I try to click the bail by hand nowdays. Have other reels that don't have any issues depite the abuse. (and they aren't Shimanos)