Articles

Abu Reel Fixes
By Old Spook

Hi there, fishermen!

This article is Abu Maintenance and Problem Cures.

I know at one time or another our abu reels will act up now and again from just wear and heavy use so I will help you to save a few bucks on the cleaning and fixes with them easily. The good thing with abu reels is the fact that there are no reel springs that will go flying when you take them apart for regular cleaning and oiling or a fast fix. Lets start with the disassembly procedure first, then we will discuss the rest on cures, oiling and fixes.

Step 1: Loosen the star drag handle fully.

Step 2: Now take the screw that holds the handle cap nut off, then the cap nut cover.

Step 3: Next, take off the brass nut with a correct size wrench to prevent marring.

Step 4: Take off the handle and then take off the star drag handle as well.

Step 5: Completely loosen the 3 raised chrome screw heads.

Step 6: Now take the 2 small cap head screws out and lift the plate cover off the plate.

Step 7: You should now see the whole assembly as shown in Figure 1.

                                  Figure 1

Step 8: Now to take the gear off with drags. Just lift it right off the shaft and washers and set them aside. Note the washers go on the same way they came off here so the drags will work properly, most important. Usually its gear then the 2 belleville washers (curved) placed together, then the bushing or bearing, and then a flat washer.

Step 9: What I use to completely clean the assembly plate is a can of carb cleaner. Just hold this over some paper towels or a rag and spray all the old, hardened grease, sand, dirt, etc. right off and away, it will leave you with a cleaned and dry plate to re-lube now. I use a good reel oil on the posts for the release mechanisms, and a drop under the push-button spool release. Don't push this in before or during disassembly!

Step 10: Now for the drags. Gently lift up the top washer revealing the stack of drag washers underneath. When they are all out, take the gear and carb clean it good to get all the grit out and old grease out. On the brass washers, just wipe them clean. Same with the micarta washers just wipe them clean. Now take a good heavy reel grease and put some between your fingers and then apply a light film to the washers on both sides and reinstall them. Note picture of gear and drag assembly , this is a common mistake here. Way too much lube on the shaft and drags. Just a light film on drags and then pack the teeth on the gear and wipe off the excess. See Figure 2. Also when the crank shaft is off, use some gear grease on the shaft before reinstalling the crank, this will stop the reel from locking up in midcast when the handle flies forward, too much light oil their is the cause for that.

                                    Figure 2

Step 11: Now for the catch pawl this just gets a drop of oil on its shaft it rides on. Never over grease the under gear on the drive gear assembly, what happens is it fills up with grease (just use a light film like the drags) and fails after a while by not going down all the way to stop the gear from turning with a hookset. Note the picture of the pawl. See Figure 3. Those two copper tines slip on the lower gear enabling it to stop. If your abu makes a tap-tap-tap sound all the time and doesn't set when you pull the rod tip back , just gently push the tines together so it adds a touch more pressure to the lower stop gear. These 2 tines will pull the pawl down on a hookset when the gear starts going back. Too much pressure it won't, too little it bounces off the stop gear with each turn and wears out fast. Just slip the tines on the stop gear when done and your ready for re-assembly.

                                  Figure 3

Step 12: Now for the bearings in the end caps. Just take the caps off and gently push each bearing out. Then with them on a paint brush end of wood flush them out with a few short bursts of carb cleaner and spin them dry. It may take a few blasts if they haven't been cleaned in a long time, then use a half drop of good reel oil to lube them. Don't use a lot as some oils gum up when there's too much in there and that slows the reels spool down.

It's a good idea to clean the caps too now as well while the bearings are out if they're dirty too. Make sure the two flat discs go in the same way as they came out. Now put them back in and put the top hat washer back on the tension side and then the cap goes back on loosely .

Step 13: Now clean the shaft spool ends and also give the level wind a fast dose of carb clean and a drop of oil afterwards and install the spool. Put the right plate cover back on the assembly and install the two small cap head screws, do this after you have put the gear shaft and washers on correctly and pawl on the plate. Make sure the pawl is engaged in the tooth of the stop gear.

Step 14: Now put the plate assembly on the reel carefully making sure the locator pin is lined up and the spool is in its pinion tooth, now tighten down the three raised chrome knurled screws. Put the drag star on then the handle, install the screw in the center of the gear shaft or circlip, then the handle and the cap nut and retainer screw. Now you're ready to set the tension knob back down lightly to adjust for the lure your about to cast! You will find that the reel is smoother and will cast farther with a good cleaning and bearing flush as well. Always set the tension for each lure to prevent back lash on the spool .

This also applies for black max low profile reels as well as most abu reels.

Good luck and tight lines!

Next time its open-faced spinning reels and maintenance for them.