Cleaning / Servicing baitcasters

I have been out of fishing for a while but am trying to get back. I
haven't used my reels in over two years but would like to get them
ready to use again. I have no idea the best way to self service them.
Any recommendations? I have several Shimano Citicas and Curados.
Thanks,
Richie

Jamie Johnson (I think) posted the blow by blow process for dissasenbly,
cleaning and reassembly a few years ago but I've lost my arcived copy. An
exellent post if any one can find it. Bill P.
================================================== ===============================

"Richie" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have been out of fishing for a while but am trying to get back. I
haven't used my reels in over two years but would like to get them
ready to use again. I have no idea the best way to self service them.
Any recommendations? I have several Shimano Citicas and Curados.
Thanks,
Richie

Bill & Sue wrote:
Jamie Johnson (I think) posted the blow by blow process for dissasenbly,
cleaning and reassembly a few years ago but I've lost my arcived copy. An
exellent post if any one can find it. Bill P.
================================================== ===============================

"Richie" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have been out of fishing for a while but am trying to get back. I
haven't used my reels in over two years but would like to get them
ready to use again. I have no idea the best way to self service them.
Any recommendations? I have several Shimano Citicas and Curados.
Thanks,
Richie


Google groups is good for something, after all!
Is this what you are looking for?
http://tinyurl.com/7sard

Thanks for the link. Here is the complete reprint of the tip posted by
Jamie Jackson.
================================================== ===========================

in some recent posts, there were links to maintenance pages in
Shimano's old Web site (which has changed and moved). While I don't
think the new site has maintenance instructions, I had saved the old
ones in text form.

Here they a


Low Profile, Variable Brake System (VBS) Baitcasting Reel
List of tools that may be needed for repair:


(1) Small Phillips screwdriver (2) Q-tips (3) Shimano oil (4)
Towels or rags (5) Shimano grease (6) Schematics of the reel (7) 10mm
wrench, socket or Shimano tool (8) Small flathead screwdriver


Routine maintenance:


Remove the side plate by using the quick take down thumbscrew. You now
have access to the spool assembly. Remove the spool from the frame.
You should now have three separate pieces of the reel (Side plate
assembly, spool assembly and frame. Excluding Chronarch and Calais).


Starting with the side plate assembly;


1) Use a towel with a light coat of water-displacing lubricant
or synthetic protectant to remove any dirt or residues from the side
plate (use a Q-tip for tight areas).


2) Use a Q-tip with a couple of drops of oil, to clean any dirt
or debris from the brass raceway inside the frame. After the raceway
is cleaned, use a Q-tip with a drop of oil, and put a light film of
oil on the raceway.


3) Use a Q-tip to remove any excess oil or grease from the
bearing (BNT0194). When cleaned, put ‘one’ small drop of
oil on the bearing. If needed, remove the bearing retainer and replace
bearing.


Maintenance to the side plate is complete.


Servicing the spool assembly;


1) Clean any dirt/residue from the spool (this includes any
grease or oil on the spool shaft). If grease and oil is not removed
from the shaft, it will cause a considerable loss of the free spool.


2) Clean any brake residues (black powder) from brake weights.
If needed, replace the brake weights if worn.


Maintenance to the spool is complete.


Servicing the frame assembly (This section is highly technical, and we
recommend having an authorized technician perform these steps for you
at least once a year. We do not recommend the following steps be
performed on a Calais.);


1) Clean any dirt/residues from the frame assembly.


2) Remove handle, star drag and side plate assembly.


3) Remove the side plate by removing the four side plate screws.
(For the Chronarch remove the 2 screws from the inner frame wall.
Refer to the image below.)


4) After removing the side plate, remove the drag washers and
drive gear from the shaft and lay them out in the order removed to aid
in reassembly.


5) Lubricate drag washers with Shimano Ace-2 grease (rubbing or
working the grease into the drag washers). Replace washers if worn or
damaged. Shimano drags are very durable and very seldom have to be
replaced; generally re-lubrication is sufficient. If the washer is
full of oil, worn to a shiny finish, frayed, or stuck to the drive
gear or metal washer, then replace the washer.


6) Use a Q-tip to remove any excess oil from the worm shaft
assembly. After cleaning, apply three drops of Shimano oil to the worm
shaft, one drop in the center and one on each end of the gear (take
care to remove any left over cotton from the gear).


7) Lubricate drive gear with a ‘small’ amount of
grease (do not use too much grease or it will build up, affecting the
free spool).


8) Reassemble the side plate assembly.


9) When side plate is reassembled, remove the cast control cap.
Clean any excess oil or grease that is underneath the cap or on the
bearing. Replace bearing if worn or damaged. To test a ball bearing,
place it on the tip of a small Phillips screwdriver and spin it. If
the inner race of the bearing does not move or the bearing feels
rough, it will need to be replaced. After parts are cleaned, put one
small drop of oil on the brass spacer under the Cast Control Cap,
reassemble.


Reassemble the side plate assembly, spool assembly and frame. Wipe off
any excess grease or oil that may have accumulated on the exterior of
the reel from maintenance.

http://heartlandtackleservice.com/shimano.stm
http://home.att.net/~kelley_brown/reelservice.html
http://members.cox.net/del-mart/hotrod.html



" Bill & Sue" wrote in message
...
Jamie Johnson (I think) posted the blow by blow process for dissasenbly,
cleaning and reassembly a few years ago but I've lost my arcived copy. An
exellent post if any one can find it. Bill P.
================================================== ===============================

"Richie" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have been out of fishing for a while but am trying to get back. I
haven't used my reels in over two years but would like to get them
ready to use again. I have no idea the best way to self service them.
Any recommendations? I have several Shimano Citicas and Curados.
Thanks,
Richie

Thanks for the advice. I will keep a copy of this and use it lots.
This is a great help.