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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | The time has come to clean, grease and lube my reels, however this is the first year I have ever done this. I know where the grease needs to go and the lube. What I am looking to find out is, is there such thing as using too much grease or lube? I have already cleaned out all my reels except for the actual gears which will probably be done tomorrow. Any help or tips would be appreciated. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | If you have a SHIMANO reel go to the web site and they have a section about how to oil and grease a SHIMANO reel. Use a light coat of grease on the gears and 2 drops max of oil for the spool bearings, always clean out the bearings first before oiling them. HOT SAUCE oil and grease is one of the best to use. Also you can get some CAL'S drag grease for the drag washers, and re-grease them for a smooth drag.
Edited by PIKEMASTER 12/14/2008 8:58 PM
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | There is definitely such a thing as too much grease. Just use enough to lightly coat the gear teeth. Spin the gears together a few times and wipe off the excess. Nothing to it. As far as off season reel maintenance goes, I like to remove all bearings and soak them in oil awhile. Dab off the excess with a paper towel and reassemble. This is also the time to look for unusual wear on parts like the clutch arm (assuming Abu's), worm gears and pawls. These are inexpensive parts to replace, and they tend to fail at the worst possible time, so if they look worn replace 'em. Pay some attention to the drag discs, too. Some basic maintenance on your reels can save you big money over the years. |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | All the reels that require maintenance are Abu's, cheap ones at that. ( 6600 C4, 6400 C4, 6600 SSC3, 6600 DS and 5600C Ultracast) |
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Posts: 1270
| In repairing 1000's of reels I have seen way more problems with to much lube then with not enough lube in fresh water reels. At the most 2 drops of oil on a bearing or worm gear and just enough grease on the gears so that it works around the entire gear. |
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Posts: 49
Location: St. Croix River, Mille Lacs, | MH 24,
I used to clean and grease my own reels (33). Then I met a guy up near Minoqua Wisc. who has a shop and does this FT. At a VERY reasonable cost. His name is Chuck and is a "salt of the earth guy"! A reel straight shooter and an expert on reel maintenance and rebuilding. His contact info is The Reel Doctor 715-693-6634. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | muskyhunter24 - 12/13/2008 9:23 PM
All the reels that require maintenance are Abu's, cheap ones at that. ( 6600 C4, 6400 C4, 6600 SSC3, 6600 DS and 5600C Ultracast)
EVERY reel requires maintenance. EVERY reel requires clean and lube.
I've been running Abu's all my life and for the price, you get a rock solid reel that can get beat up, thrown around etc. As long as you keep them clean and lubed, they can last a long time.
Do parts wear out? YES...that happens on every reel over time.
Keep them clean, don't use lures too heavy for the rod, and the reels will last a long, long time!!
Steve |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Someone said to soak the bearings in oil over nite, that is a big no no, take the bearing and soak them in Acetone over nite to clean them and then use a can of compressed air to blow them clean, and add 2 drops MAX !!! of reel oil to the bearings. |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | mercmech - 12/14/2008 7:28 AM
MH 24,
I used to clean and grease my own reels (33). Then I met a guy up near Minoqua Wisc. who has a shop and does this FT. At a VERY reasonable cost. His name is Chuck and is a "salt of the earth guy"! A reel straight shooter and an expert on reel maintenance and rebuilding. His contact info is The Reel Doctor 715-693-6634.
I have been in contact with Chuck already regarding fixing my MC56 Morrum, and having it cleaned. I may send in all my reels but I feel that I should learn how to do it on my own sometime and early in my addiction would be a good time. |
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | I'm not going to argue reel maintenance do's and dont's with a guy who's worked on 1000 times more reels than I have. However, for what reason would you not want to soak the bearing. I dab off the excess before reassembly, so there's no extra dripping out. Just wondering? |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | When you cast your reel, the spool shaft will spin between 10,000 - 20,000 rpm's and all that excess oil in your bearings will be push out inside your reel on the gears and in the drag washers and what a mess that will be. All that excess oil will wash off all the grease on the gears, and when oil gets on the drag washers they will not be smooth. 2 DROPS per bearing MAX. Ask any reel repair and they will tell you the same. |
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Posts: 8778
| I would recommend doing it yourself. It's super easy, especially with Abu reels. The best thing if it's your first attempt (I still do this) is use the reel schematic, and carefully line up each part as you take it off, in the order you took them off, in the direction they were facing. Assembly is a breeze that way, last part off = first part on, etc. As for cleaning? I've always been a bit apprehensive about using harsh solvents on plastic parts. An old toothbrush and dishsoap does the trick for me. Compressed air to dry, and then a final wipe down with an old towel. Pikemaster is correct -- there is such a thing as too much oil and too much grease. If you are running Abu's, I would invest in a spare clutch arm, worm gear, and pawl. They're easy to replace. I haven't found a good way to clean out AR bearings. Compressed air works, but the #*#* goes everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE. Yeah I know -- maybe I should turn the regulator down from 100psi...
Bottom line is as long as you take your time, pay attention to what you are doing, and don't lose any parts, cleaning and lubing your reels is something you can easily do yourself.
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| Definitely do it yourself. And definitely follow the advice about using very little lube. Too much lube will cause serious problems with anti-reverse bearings and drags. There is/was a tutorial around here ... maybe someone can find it? Best tip I found (after the tips about lube quantities) is to use an old toothbrush to clean stuff. Works great. |
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Posts: 2024
| So let's say you have a Shimano Calcutta TE that you recently put more than two drops (and by more let's just say... A LOT more than 2 drops) in the oil ports, if you will, located on the underside of the reel. This was in September. What problems could arise from putting A LOT of oil in those ports? Would it be advisable to send it in somewhere? I should mention too that the clutch is "sticky" and won't de-press with tension (unlike all other reels I've previously owned). I'm a fan of free-spooling and have never had an issue with de-pressing the push button with a fish thrashing boatside, when lowering a Pounder down a few inches, or when entering the figure-8 with a Cowgirl with any other reel. These are Calcuttas are 2-3 years old.
Edited by esox50 12/15/2008 1:08 PM
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Posts: 8778
| Sounds to me like it just needs to be cleaned, Sean. Too much oil mixes with all the grease in the reel (especially a new reel that's coated with too much grease to begin with) and makes a goopy mess out of the whole thing. I'd take it apart, clean it, oil lightly and see what happens. Oh, and make sure you wipe down the drag washers -- they should be completely dry. That's about the only real "problem" you might have other than things being a little sticky. My drags never seem to slip, though, and many times I've found oil/grease in there at the end of the season. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Sean The 2 hole on the bottom of a TE reel ARE NOT OIL PORTS, they are to let out water and air in, you should send in your reel to Shimano ASAP to clean and reoil your reel. If you put alot of oil in the holes you have got oil in the drag washers and the grease and oil have made a mess inside your reel. |
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Posts: 2024
| Thanks, Richard. The guy I bought them from said that's where he puts the oil into, but perhaps I heard wrong. I was thinking of sending them in anyway so now maybe I'll put a rush on it. Dohh... |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Sean you are not the only one that puts oil in the drain holes. HAPPY HOLIDAYS |
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Posts: 375
| i'm guilty as charged too! i did the same thing on my lunas (but only a couple of drops and only did it once...i swear...lol) once i set the reels on the table with the holes facing down the oil ran right back out the weep holes! the reels are 3 years young now and operate good as new with absolutely no other problems with them. i have never opened up the handle side of the beasts but i oil / grease what i can in the "easy" side... should i go ahead and open up the handle side or will i be sorry trying that with a luna?
stan
Edited by STUSHSKY 12/15/2008 2:25 PM
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | On the new TORO REELS by ABU the reel has a grease port under the reel to grease the main and pinion gears, very cool !!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | PIKEMASTER - 12/16/2008 7:48 AM
On the new TORO REELS by ABU the reel has a grease port under the reel to grease the main and pinion gears, very cool !!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah I had seen that, that is really cool, hopefully I won't have to put anything in that bad boy for a while. |
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Posts: 1270
| I got real worried when I first saw that grease port on the Toro's after seeing how some people lube there reels. I can just imagine Abu getting calls to see if they have a grease zerc that will fit in it!!! |
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Posts: 8778
| reelman - 12/16/2008 12:25 PM
I got real worried when I first saw that grease port on the Toro's after seeing how some people lube there reels. I can just imagine Abu getting calls to see if they have a grease zerc that will fit in it!!!
You mean you're not supposed to take off the side plate and pack grease in there like its a wheel bearing, reelman? 
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Posts: 1270
| addict, You might think that's funny but I have seen that enough times to know it happens. And then they complain that it doesn't cast as good as it used to - go figure? |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | What is the best solvent for cleaning the drag washers??? How can you tell if it is time to replace drag washers and drag springs?
Karl |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | A new set of CARBONTEX drag washers cost appox $8-$9 dollars, why mess around cleaning old wahers. Call Dawn at SMOOTH DRAGS |
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| Anyone have experience lubing up the Trinidads? I have to clean and lube mine up this weekend. |
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Posts: 309
Location: Elgin IL | http://www.senortuna.com/main/showthread.php?t=23287
Be careful with click pin and spring.....this should help |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | PIKEMASTER - 12/16/2008 6:32 PM
A new set of CARBONTEX drag washers cost appox $8-$9 dollars, why mess around cleaning old wahers. Call Dawn at SMOOTH DRAGS
I'm sure not ALL of my drag washers need to be replaced. Thats why they call it maintenance. Some reels only one and two years old. C'mon. Replace all the washers on 12 reels... do the math. Doing it again next year??? Not what I would consider cost effective. In some cases sure its appropriate. Just looking for some insight.
Karl |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Stock drag washers become very flat and brittle and if you don't turn down your drag on the reel after every day of fishing, your stock drags will only last 1-2 years. Carbontex drag washers will last for years and do not turn brittle. Some of my carbontex drags are over 7 years old and still very very smooth and powerful. Once you try a set you will see what I'm talking about. As far as stock washers go wipe them down with Disc Brk Cleaner, dry them and use Cal's drag grease on them. The grease will let the drag start up smoother and repell any water from soaking in the drag washers that gets inside your reel. GOOD LUCK.
Edited by PIKEMASTER 12/19/2008 1:55 PM
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Posts: 1270
| With Abu drag washers you can wipe them down with WD40 and then dry them with a paper towel and they should be good to go the majority of the time if they aren't just plain wore out. I have 7000's that I use for salmon fishing that I have used for 5 or 6 years and never changed the drags or for that matter even cleaned them and these drags get a whole lot more of a work out than any musky reel out there. I don't even loosen up the drag over winter and they are still working and still very smooth.
In days of old with the leather or fiber washers they would wear out or get a set pretty easy but with all the new carbon washers they are pretty maintanance free as long as they stay free of oil. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | I would never use a penetrate oil like wd40 on drag washers, clean them with white sprits or disc brk cleaner, that will get any reel oil off of them, then dry them and apply a light coat of Cal's Drag Grease. I'm only trying to give you some good advice on reel maintenance, and as far as never backing off your drags over the winter months, you don't have to , but your drag spring & washers are not going to last long. I hope that I have given you some good insight on reel maintenance.  go to http://www.smoothdrag.com/installation.html for more insight on drag maintenance and install.
Edited by PIKEMASTER 12/19/2008 1:00 PM
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Posts: 1270
| Pikemaster, I value your opinion I am just stating what I have done on the approximatly 15,000 or so reels I have repaired in the past. I always used WD40 on the drags, but made sure to dry them off good with a paper towel afterwards, when the drags were sticky if I didn't just replace the drag washers all together. I would agree that carb cleaner or the other solvents you mentioned would also work but in todays world getting approval to use some of these harsher solvnts in the work enviornment. |
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Reel cleaning