Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Abu Garcia/Garcia/Mitchell => Topic started by: festus on January 11, 2020, 09:29:23 PM

Title: Garcia Mitchell 406--replacing a bent bail wire mount
Post by: festus on January 11, 2020, 09:29:23 PM
A few days ago I posted a partial rebuild of a Garcia Mitchell 406.  I wasn't satisfied with the orientation of the bail wire.  It wasn't running horizontally.  The bail wire mount was bent in a couple directions.  I tried several times tweaking the bail wire mount carefully with taped Channel-Locks.  After bending the bail wire a few a few times, by trial and error the bail was snapping crisply, but not riding horizontally to my liking.  The Fisher-Man in Deland, FL sells quite a few new old stock Mitchell parts on ebay, and luckily he had what I needed.


You can see the problem.


To avoid damaging bail parts, it's best to remove the rotor while installing them.


And with a 406, better keep your eye on this little key, don't want to lose it.


The bail wire lock nut and washer will be removed.  It takes an 8mm socket.




Loosening bail screw #1 to remove the bail wire mount and spring.



The defective bail wire mount is on the left.


The new bail wire mount in place.  Note that I fashioned a bail bumper from some clear surgical tubing.


Bail wire assembly is back together, rotor reattached, and this reel is ready to fish!  I spooled 12 lb. Viscious mono on it, slapped it on a 9' MH Cabela's spinning rod and it'll be ideal for channel cats and school stripers.


Title: Re: Garcia Mitchell 406--replacing a bent bail wire mount
Post by: mo65 on January 12, 2020, 03:20:48 AM
Great lookin' combo Chester!
Title: Re: Garcia Mitchell 406--replacing a bent bail wire mount
Post by: happyhooker on January 13, 2020, 03:12:31 AM
Nice work; good post; bumper fix looks like a winner.

Frank