WORMGEAR LUBRICATION

[Cor]

I am not very familiar with level winding reels and wonder what lubrication you would use/recommend on the wormgear?

I currently use Teflon Grease (http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/bicycle-greases/premium-grease-made-with-teflon-fluoropolymer) yes I know its actually for my bike, but seems to do the job well enough.

Thanks

[Reel 224]

I use 321 it works fine.

Joe

[sdlehr]

I wonder if that teflon grease has properties similar to Cal's drag grease....??

Sid

[oc1]

Use a very light oil for a synchronized level wind, but you can use something thicker that will last longer for a disengaging level wind.
-steve

[foakes]

Joe, Sid, and Steve are all correct, Cor --

321, or a light oil that is preferably synthetic.

The most important thing is to clean the entire mechanism completely outside of the reel.

This would include the worm, worm gear, pawl, pawl screw cover, any shim in the pawl cap, line guide, upper guide rod, etc.

Then reassemble and adjust for proper operation with the right oil and just the right amount of freeplay without being tight or binding in either direction.

Keep the grease for the gears inside the reel.

Best,

Fred

[johndtuttle]

x2 What Fred said .

What I would add, is that daily maintenance can be simply a little oil on the worm itself, then I tilt the reel on one side and put a drop on the lower end and give it a few spins, then repeat on the other end tipping it on that side. This is to get a little oil into the bushings/bearings on the ends where corrosion is trying to do it's worst and staves off more serious trouble.

[Cor]

I wonder if that teflon grease has properties similar to Cal's drag grease....??

Sid

It is less sticky then Cal's but stays on well, even in the wet.  

Thanks for the information.   Its a bugger to keep that thing clean without dismantling the whole reel and removing it first.

[Reel 224]

I wonder if that teflon grease has properties similar to Cal's drag grease....??

Sid

It is less sticky then Cal's but stays on well, even in the wet. 

Thanks for the information.   Its a bugger to keep that thing clean without dismantling the whole reel and removing it first.

It would much less a problem if you used a product like 321 and 301 (to clean) the worm gear and Pawl. Grease attracts dirt and sand much easier then a lite coating of oil. If salt water fishing it is necessary to wash the reel down with fresh  water and let dry and reapply a light coat of oil too the auto wind, that is just maintenance practice.

Joe   

[handi2]

I've had them come in greased but they go out oiled...

[tholmes]

Any good quality light oil will work. I use either Rem-Oil or Tri-Flow.

Tom

[Reel 224]

Any good quality light oil will work. I use either Rem-Oil or Tri-Flow.

Tom

That's what I used on guns for years, I do know 321 is a excellent light lube as well.

Joe

[Cor]

Again thanks for all the advice!

I have stripped and cleaned the reel 100% and am giving it a complete service.   Am waiting on some parts and will then assemble and oil with 321.

Will see how that goes.   Must say I am not impressed with the amount of time it takes to service a level winder

[Reel 224]

Again thanks for all the advice!

I have stripped and cleaned the reel 100% and am giving it a complete service.   Am waiting on some parts and will then assemble and oil with 321.

Will see how that goes.   Must say I am not impressed with the amount of time it takes to service a level winder

Welcome to our world. 

Joe

[handi2]

It takes me an hour to do any reel..!

[Cor]

It takes me an hour to do any reel..!

I am retired and work slowly, otherwise a spring or something runs away from me.