Reel Repair by Alan Tani

 so here is my Lx that I got along with some cash In trade for some reel work,
it's in bad shape, it's missing parts so I'm going to get into this and get it back working again,
the spool barely turned there was some corrosion issues here and there
so here are some before pictures and let's see how it goes,   Hopefully I can find parts to keep my cost to where it's worth it, I know it has single dog and the issues with that, but it was basically free so why not give it a shot
If I can get her up and running I'm thinking this would be a decent surface iron reel any input as to the direction I should take is appreciated

I plan to give her a scrub down, a new drag washer,some bearings, a new grip, and obviously the missing parts
I'll see how it goes,  contemplating a kodiak or florida cam
Not sure which will be better for iron
She's completely broken down and in the scrub tank
So, will post as she comes together
The drag washer is dry, a little rough around the edges, does it look useable once I give it the cals treatment?

I think it will be fine, many carbon fiber drags show that on the edges.  But is there any signs of corrosion on the spool where the drags sit?  This can happen if the area under the drags is not greased.  There is an old tutorial showing this problem.

I really like my LX, it is my main 30# Stripped Marlin reel.

There is no corrosion on spool, so I greased and reused the cf washer
Other than the nastiest dirty grease, she actually cleaned up well, there was some minor rust spots in the bearing recesses , the outer drive shaft recess and the pinion, bearings were corroded and toast
Will be ordering full set today, and lever drag knob, few washers
I have a few bearing questions , can I use regular shielded on inner outer drive shaft or is a blue seal the best? they will be packed well
Also, one bearing has rounded edges on outer race, is this a specific fit or will standard square edge work?

I have been wanting to buy a new reel for surface iron, fth 25s n , or trq s,  Cedros 12 s, are my considerations
But now this Lx 6:1 is in the line up, what are the opinions on using this reel for iron work?

You may use metal shielded or phenolic shielded bearings.  It doesn't matter.

Thanks Bryan
I will pack them well, I guess the rubber blue shield is for water intrusion?
Got her cleaned up well, actually in good condition, was just nasty and dirty
Is there an easy way to remove knob shaft or is drilling out the only option?


Corrected, sorry

what is the knee shaft?  Can you take a picture of it?

I have a tbar black handle I want to put on,
If I dont have to drill it would be nice but I think it's the only way
Or I could buy a new arm

Good work Desert.  Dominick

So Alan has (http://alantani.com/gallery/0/1_26_01_09_11_52_32.jpeg)

If fits over the shaft and there is a hole at the end where you can drive the securement screw so you don't have to drill out the handle arm shaft.  You may want to check it out.

Quote from: DesertCatRat on February 11, 2015, 07:47:30 PM
I have a tbar black handle I want to put on,
If I dont have to drill it would be nice but I think it's the only way
Or I could buy a new arm

i have the old 4/0 grips if you would like one. it's the same thing shown in the photo.  send me a pm if you'd like one!

Trying to get sleeve and spindle off
Pics may help, I have new knob and spindle pic at top

I am guessing drill out?

Or order a new blank arm?

Contacted avet and they only have whole handle assembled
But they were great with my parts order, very low price and very helpful

Will post current cleaned up pics, cosmetically a bit rashed up, but coming together well

I'm hoping I can use it for surface iron on 40# , does that sound feasible?

Thanks all for the input

this might be the one that unscrews.  what does the other side of the spindle look like?

It is smooth, no slot for loosening

About 2/3 of way down sleeve there is a hole that looks like a set screw or something may have been but I have tried there with no success

there is a round nut at the end of the spindle.  did you remove the nut? 

Yes, round nut w screw hole for knob is out
Spindle and sleeve are stuck

Maybe if I crimp down on sleeve w vise grips, very hard, I can unscrew it out of handle arm

I'll try that , worse case, I buy new arm

no, if it has a slot cut for a screwdriver, then it unscrews.  otherwise it is pressed in and staked on the backside.

So, my parts from avet came today😁
I was missing the most important parts, the preset knob and connecting arm for the ar dog, son of a biscuit

So, immediately called and they ship out in the morning with an "I'm sorry"
I sent the email with my full list, they said the parts I am missing weren't on it, well, whatever they want to say
Set back a few days , not a huge deal,

I will post some updated pics in the morning, coming. Together well, decided to keep stock handle intact
Maybe I can find and aftermarket arm to put my new knob on

So cleaned her up, replaced bearings in drag plate,pinion and mains
Packed all with penn blue and left the spool bearings cleaned and opened with speed x

Treated all interior non contact surfaces as well as all moving parts with a full coat of grease
She should live a long, trouble free life with the basic maintenance of course

I removed ,cleaned with dish soap and water, the cf drag washer
Then gave it the cals love on both sides and replaced, it looked reusable

I left the bellevilles in stock configuration, and she went back together smoth as can be

Some of the missing parts were handle arm thrust washer and handle locking plate ,screws

I was also missing the preset knob, tension spring,teflon washers,  I cleaned and inspected the male and female cam and reused them both as well as the plastic click washer for the preset knob
That assembly also got a fair coat of penn grease

All parts were ordered from avet, with a minor problem, as stated in other threads they were nice to deal with, but online support was not good, as I only received some of my parts
No big deal, after a call back they sent the rest, but having to pay 2 x shipping was not cool

And here she is, with the stock handle which I upgraded to Alan's larger knob

I threw on some old junk line just to test her out,smooth as butter, after new bearings and cleaning
Everything works awesome, about 45 seconds free spool, should be more with full spool braid plus mono

Drags checks out a extremely smooth 15 at strike and a bit high but 26 at full, may have to do some adjusting there at full

So, from a basket case that was gunked  up , the spool wouldn't turn, missing parts,and an obviously neglected and discarded pile of parts, to a genuinely smooth well functioning reel that should perform well for years to come

Not bad for a trade for labor on 3 reels and 50$ in parts
She cleaned up better than I thought and worth the time spent in every way
Other than some minor boat rash, she is tops

So, now, only one thing left to do, spool her up and catch a fish on her!

nice work. i have a gen 1 LX and still one of my favorites on mahi

Thanks fellas for the input

One final thing, I am figuring on 65 or 80 braid to 125 yds of 40 lb mono

If anyone cares to input here, how do you rig up your Lx?
This is single speed 6:1 ratio,  at this ratio would you be apt to use it as surface iron/live bait?

Or yoyo/dropper loop? I'm thinking not for deep drop at this ratio

Possibly I can install the 4.8 gears depending on how I use it

I'm leaning towards throwing iron with it, what do you guys think?

Remember,it was basically free so I can fill a spot in my roster here