Zebco Cardinal 4 handle or this a variant??

[Fishgolfman]

I got a Zebco Cardinal 4 that needed a handle. I seldom service Zebco Cardinal 4    I have a stash of handles marked for 4,6and 7. I am confused by the configuration of the handle post? Is this a variant?? Do i need a different handle? Is this a broke post??

[Midway Tommy]

That threaded handle post on the reel is not anything normal for Cardinal 4. The stock/normal handle threads into the main shaft just like the handle you show.

Is there a hole in the stud that's sticking out that could have been where the pivot pin could have gone through? Maybe that pin broke off. If so all you would have to do is insert something into the pin hole, engage the anti-reverse and unscrew that shaft & install your replacement handle.

If not remove the main gear so we can we what's going on with it and the gear shaft. I'm thinking that possibly the old handle broke off and part of the shaft is still threaded into the main gear, but I'd like to see the main gear and shaft before I tell you to secure it and use vice grips to remove that abnormal stud that's sticking out.

[Fishgolfman]

Took off gear.. should have remembered about e-clips.. flying off?? Thanks hot extras!! I think it was an attempt to put another handle type on reel. The end is smooth machined! Will torque off after penetration oil soak?

[Midway Tommy]

Looks like the main gear is correct. Hopefully you have a small vise that you can secure the main gear shaft in and then use a small pair of vise grips to turn/remove that handle stud. I would use a couple of pieces of wood between the gear shaft and vise jaws to protect the gear shaft. You could do the same thing with vise grips if you don't have access to a bench vise.

Don't forget to check the thread direction on the replacement handle you have so you aren't trying to remove that stud in the wrong direction when you first start.

[Fishgolfman]

I have access to vise and vise grips. Use your trick of 3m pad scrubby to grip

[Fishgolfman]

Done as suggested.. tip about thread direction was key! Btw the knob is a little loose. Aftermarket ideas like knobs or a bolt solutions??

[Midway Tommy]

The earlier handles had trapezoidal type handle knob that is replaceable and retained by a small slotted screw/bolt. I'm not where I can look at a newer style like the one you have but if my memory serves me right the knob is peened and not replaceable. You could try to lightly repeen it to tighten it up a little bit but you have to be careful doing that or it could be weakened, obtain a new complete crank handle or find one of the early versions that has a replaceable knob.

There's an early version handle in this photo of parts. All the crank handle parts are together @ the top/right.

[Fishgolfman]

My cardinal replacement handles are all the peened knob type. I will be on lookout for replaceable version now that i know it exists

[Catching Nemo]

Nice work getting that stud removed from the gear. I was watching that reel on eBay but decided not to bid on it, since I wasn't sure if I would be able to remove that stud.