Pretty sure this reel rode out to the fishing grounds and back from the fishing grounds while being towed underwater. 3 out of 4 bearings were locked solid. Some compressed air, oil, and she'll be good to go! 8)
Slap a bit of grease on it and it should be OK.... for a few seconds.
Oh man, what's the story behind that incident?
the drag washer will have to come off to clean and grease all contact surfaces. old bearings should all be replaced. you can order cheap stainless steel bearings from ebay. yeah, then clean and lightly grease everything. good luck. please let us know how you do!
Quote from: Gfish on January 05, 2026, 03:32:46 PMOh man, what's the story behind that incident?
Wish I knew. Customer said the drag felt "weird" He gave me the reel and it sure did! Also the reel didn't have freespool which signals to me some frozen bearings.
I've got a new drag washer ordered up and some new bearings. She'll clean up nicely and be good to go.
PS - the rod the reel was attached to had roller guides...every single one of them was locked up and the unibutt was corroded into ferrule. I got them all off the guides but 1. I swear it is fused to the Aftco roller frame. The 4 rod clamp bolts required nuclear heat and some PB Blaster to remove.
When I give it back, I'll have a teaching moment on rod/reel maintenance.
Finally, after me griping and moving their equipment many, many times, got my two fishing buddies to stop putting their rods and reels in the rod holders in the side gunnels when we are underway. Bothered me to see the salt spray soaking their expensive equipment. I still rinse everyone's rods and reels when we get back. Some folks don't seem to care. Keeps the repair folks in business though.
Sharking reel from the beach? Takes some doing to get a reel to that state.
"well it's not that smooth anymore but it still works. I'll keep using it"
-the owner for the past few years.
Tell him you're charging hourly.
:) That should clean up pretty good , as bad as it looks . As long as the screws keep coming out without breaking
got all screws out.
But i did snap one off in the Aftco roller guide? Luckily I had a spare.
I still can't get one roller guide out of the frame. Heat/Cold and more force than I deem necessary has been used. Still can't get it out.
It's the top roller on the butt guide...but doesn't carry the load. He can fish it, but I'll replace the entire guide with a new one when the Bluefins stop running.
Can you just drill out or file off the heads of the bolts on the double roller guideand drive out the pin? Then the roller ought to come free, though you'll need to replace the bolts and sleeve and possibly the roller too. Might be easier/quicker than replacing the whole guide.
Brings tears to my eyes to see a reel mistreated to that extent. More money than sense, some people?
yep...thats the plan when the guy brings it back after Blue Fin Season. Drill out head....and replace.