Reel service question.

[Nooo Fish]

Just ordered a new cage for my 7ht mag (blue one), some red rocket oil and the bush for the handle drive shaft. So I thought I might as well service it.

Only problem is what's involved on servicing. Do I just clean it all off with break cleaner oil it and the bearings or is there more to it? How far do you have to strip it down?

Andy.

 

[Kev1n]

I strip my reels occasionally to service them. Use an old toothbrush to scrub any muck off and soak the bearings in a solvent like acetone, naphtha, or thin reel oil until they’re clean and run smoothly and quietly. I've not tried brake cleaner.
If the reel’s insides look mucky or the grease has dried, I’ll strip them down to clear and re-grease too.

 

[DaveH]

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I know a lot of lads on here always fully strip and service their reels themselves mate and that's cool if your fully clued up on the schematics and confident enough to do it. Personally after every session I rinse my reel off with fresh water and after every 3-4 sessions I part strip, flush the bearings with a lighter fluid, re oil with yellow rocket fuel and that's as far as I will go. Once a year I send my reels to a company called reelvalue.co.uk and for about £8+ postage the reels come back fully stripped, cleaned, greased and oiled in a few days. Not a lot of money when you think how much money some of these reels cost and no risk of parts springing off when you open them to try and service yourself.

 

[Nooo Fish]

Thanks a lot lads. I'm going to have a go myself when all the gear comes. If I fail I can always send it off to reelvalue.

 

[Jeffrob445]

Having just spent a week stripping down my reels (why do I have 17 of the buggers?) and servicing them ready for the winter, this is how I do it.
Reel schematics are easy to find on the web, however, some of the schematics on American sites are for American models and may not be identical to the European models (Abu are very good at that).
I use Napier Gun oil in a spray can to clean them, it contains an anti corrosive and is pretty good as a releasing oil on corroded screws.
Beg steal or borrow a good set of screwdrivers/bits that actually fit the screws properly ( I use a set of gunsmiths turn screws I inherited)
Be careful using brake cleaner - contains isopropyl alcohol, which can and does melt some plastics , some reel bearings have have plastic covers! Use lighter petrol for cleaning bearings.
Buy proper reel grease - something like Cals universal drag and reel grease, it does not dry out and (this may sound daft, but it's not) is waterproof.
Take your time, when taking springs and spring clips off, use a big see through poly bag to work in - it will save bloody hours crawling round the floor looking for the clip that's just gone ping
Lay everything out in the order you take it off makes reassembly easier.
If stuck, ask on the forum!

 

[mick dunn]

If you go on you tube there is lads who do step by step tutorials. I used one when I stripped and repaired my Abu 6500.
Mick.

 

[g.ordon]

personally I don't understand this reel service malarkey, all that is needed is a wipe down (of the reel) after a sesh, after several take the end plates off and give it a thorough cleaning and maybe clean the bearings out and relube, not rocket science like. Anyways, if you don't mind me asking, much did the cage kb yer?