Shimano Baitrunner 6000D gear noise and feel

[Mkling]

I have a Shimano Baitrunner 6000D that seems to function but there is a gear like feeling and noise. I think this started happening after landing a 6.5' sandbar shark a few years ago.  I think I went through it back then cleaning, grease and oil but it never felt right so I put it in the cabinet. Hoping to use this reel again. What's the best approach for this? Throw all new bearings at it? I worry if it's the gear.
Maybe I need to just send it to an expert and have it done proper. Any suggestions for someone that is good with these spinners with fair pricing?
Thanks

[alantani]

Spinners are tough.  Bearings are certainly a possibility and they can be checked,  but gear damage seems more likely from your description.  If shimano or their service centers do not carry gears, then you are out of luck. 

[boon]

Did you take the gears out? These reels have a "square" oscillation gear, if it isn't precisely aligned when you reassemble the reel, based on the "timing" marks on the drive and oscillation gear, it will feel horrible.

[Mkling]

Did you take the gears out? These reels have a "square" oscillation gear, if it isn't precisely aligned when you reassemble the reel, based on the "timing" marks on the drive and oscillation gear, it will feel horrible.

Gosh it's been a couple years since I opened it up and cleaned and lubed it. I could have but just don't remember. It had this feeling/noise  before ever opening it the first time so I don't think that's the issue. I remember it looked a little more intimidating than my Shimano Stradics so I don't think I took much apart.
I'll try to set some time aside to take it apart this week when I can take my time. It looks like Shimano has the gears in stock.

[FatTuna]

Boon is right. The issue is the elliptical oscillation gear. There are marks on the gears that you need to align. You need to play around with it until you get it perfect. You may have to take it apart a few times. Annoyingly, it can feel okay until you actually crank on the reel with some weight on the end of the line. If you ask me, it's a horrible design.

Another issue with these reels is that the gears wear out very quickly. I usually go through a set once per year. I replace all three when they start to feel rough.

[ReelClean]

Boon is right. The issue is the elliptical oscillation gear. There are marks on the gears that you need to align. You need to play around with it until you get it perfect. You may have to take it apart a few times. Annoyingly, it can feel okay until you actually crank on the reel with some weight on the end of the line. If you ask me, it's a horrible design.

Another issue with these reels is that the gears wear out very quickly. I usually go through a set once per year. I replace all three when they start to feel rough.

There must have been some migration between Shimano cycling and fishing engineering departments.  In the '80s Shimano had elliptical chainrings on their sets,  Biopace IIRC.  It was supposed to help you turn over the pedals by tuning the gear to your pedal stroke (a bit like the turnover of the cams in a compound bow). Someone (probably marketing) must have had the bright idea that it would make reeling in a fish easier  

[exp2000]

There must have been some migration between Shimano cycling and fishing engineering departments.  In the '80s Shimano had elliptical chainrings on their sets,  Biopace IIRC.  It was supposed to help you turn over the pedals by tuning the gear to your pedal stroke (a bit like the turnover of the cams in a compound bow). Someone (probably marketing) must have had the bright idea that it would make reeling in a fish easier  

By varying the oscillation speed, the line forms a cross-weave pattern on the spool which prevents upper layers from cutting into the loom, especially in the case of braid.
~

[Mkling]

Thank you for the suggestions. I opened up the reel and aligned the gears a few different times. Maybe got it a touch smoother but still have the gear noise. I also hear a slight sort of click when the shaft reaches its peak at top and switches to going down and then again when it's at the bottom. If that makes sense.
I'm never sure if I'm being too picky and should just fish with it or keep trying to make it like it was when new.

[Mkling]

Looking at ordering the drive gear and oscilating gear. The pinion gear is a little pricy. Do you guys suggest new pinion gear too if using new drive gear?

[handi2]

Yes get the pinion gear also. You wont like it if you dont.

[ReelClean]

There must have been some migration between Shimano cycling and fishing engineering departments.  In the '80s Shimano had elliptical chainrings on their sets,  Biopace IIRC.  It was supposed to help you turn over the pedals by tuning the gear to your pedal stroke (a bit like the turnover of the cams in a compound bow). Someone (probably marketing) must have had the bright idea that it would make reeling in a fish easier  

By varying the oscillation speed, the line forms a cross-weave pattern on the spool which prevents upper layers from cutting into the loom, especially in the case of braid.
~

Hhmmm,  I guess that makes sense.
Probably, like the Biopace did, it makes stuff-all difference.   
Cynic that I am, I'll probably stick with my marketing department engineering theory 

[Mkling]

Thanks everyone. I'll report back in a while and let you know how it turns out.

[FatTuna]

When you get the gears to do the rebuild, don't go crazy with the grease. Just paint it on the teeth of the gears. These reels are sensitive to excess grease because of the secondary drag system. When you do the clutch, first spray it with WD-40. Then hit it with some keyboard duster. I use ReelX instead of grease to lubricate the clutch. It will allow the baitrunner feature to flip easily. A heavy grease will cause it to stick and not flip over.

[boon]

I grease the Baitrunner and Thunnus reels I service quite heavily and they work very smoothly. The baitrunner switch has an issue where (I believe) they swell slightly where the exit the body on each side. Any time I get one that is a little sticky I remove the post/cam that the switch operates and polish the shaft where it goes through the body; likewise I very lightly sand the holes in the body, then grease as normal, works very very smoothly.

[FatTuna]

Over-greasing these reels causes the clutch plate to stick. Especially if you use a grease that is thicker than what Shimano uses. When the clutch doesn't move freely, it prevents the baitrunner from disengaging. Mine don't have a sticking problem now that I switched to oil. Another thing is you don't want to over tighten the screws for the baitrunner switch.

Too much grease also just makes a mess. Over the long haul, the grease thickens and it's just more work to clean. Sometimes it works it's way down into the secondary drag and the noise from the clicker is softened.

To each their own. I used to go really liberal on the grease. I use more than they apply at the factory but have cut it down to about half of what I used when I started out.