Maintenance Tips Round Baitcasting
Reels
Shimano® reels, when properly maintained, provide years of dependable high performance. Below are a few
simple steps to help keep your Shimano® reels in top condition, as well as, preventative measures to avoid costly
repairs.
List of tools that may be needed for service:
Tools: Small Flat Head Screwdriver, Small Phillips Head Screwdriver , 10MM Nut Driver or Shimano®
Wrench
Lubricants: Shimano® Bantam"! Oil (BNT1445), Shimano Drag Grease (A-DRA1/4)
Cleaners: Cotton Swabs, Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, Tooth Brush, Paper Towels or Rags
Schematics: All Shimano® reels come with schematics, however, they can also be found here:
http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/fish/sac/us/en/customer_service/reel_schematics.html
Tools and cleaning materials rec- Access the spool assembly on Shi- Using cotton swabs and/or a
ommended to service reel. Some mano® Calcutta® and Calcutta B® toothbrush with isopropyl rubbing
Shimano® reels come with Ban- via thumbscrews located on right side alcohol, clean the exterior of the
tam"! Oil. These simple tools are plate. Remove spool assembly reel.
readily available at hardware
stores.
Inspect and clean spool assembly. Clean and oil VBS® Brake Collars
Clean levelwind system of dirt,
Check spool shaft bearing or bush- to maintain optimal casting per-
debris and old grease. Apply 3
ing for rust, corrosion or damage. formance. Inspect collars for wear
drops of Shimano® Bantam® Oil
Apply only 1 drop of Shimano ® and tear; replace accordingly.
to levelwind. On heavily used
Bantam® Oil to spool shaft bear-
reels, Shimano® Drag Grease may
ing or bushing.
used also be used.
We recommend using only 1 drop
Remove Cast Control Cap. Inspect Important note: When reinstalling
of oil on the spool bearing. Excess
bearing, spring and O-ring for wear Right Side Plate onto reel, please
oil will find its way into the drag
and tear. Clean Cast Control Cap make sure that the Thumb Bar is
system, adversely affecting its per-
and apply 1 drop of oil. held in the  up position. Other-
formance.
wise, the clutch will not work.
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Heavy Duty Maintenance: Recommended for reels that have had extensive saltwater exposure and/or
those that have been submerged in saltwater.
Lightly rinse reels with freshwater using a spray bottle. Avoid excessive water from a high pressure source as this
may push salt and/or debris inside the reel. Wipe down reel with a rag or towel after rinsing. This is also good
practice after every fishing trip.
Begin by removing handle assem- Remove star drag and drag spring After removal of right side plate
bly using small screwdriver. There- washers. Note the order in which screws, remove right side plate.
after, remove handle nut with the washers are assembled to en-
10mm nut driver. sure proper reassembly.
Remove yoke springs, pinion gear, Clean parts with isopropyl rubbing Use Shimano® Drag Grease to
yoke and drive gear with drag alcohol using a toothbrush and/or lubricate drive gear. Fill the threads
washers. cotton swabs. half way around with grease.
Lightly grease drag washers. Too Reinstall drag washer one by one
Order of drag washers: Carbon (big
much grease will reduce the maxi- to make sure that they all go in
hole), metal (keyed), carbon , metal
mum amount of grease that the reel place properly. Handle drag wash-
(eared), carbon and thick metal key
will produce. ers with care!
Thin Spring Washers
Thick Spring Washers
Reinstall yoke, pinion gear, yoke Reinstall right side plate and right Reinstall star drag, friction washer,
springs and roller clutch inner tube. side plate screws. Make sure that handle assembly, handle nut and
the drag spring washers and spacer handle lock plate.
are in the correct order:
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