Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: pgisclair on February 08, 2026, 04:25:36 PM

Title: Shimano Sahara 4000 (F,FA,FE) backstop
Post by: pgisclair on February 08, 2026, 04:25:36 PM
I recently got into breaking down and cleaning my own reels using a Hydrosonic cleaner.  I'm brand new to this.  I did my 5 Curados, from Bantams (replaced felt washers with Carbontex) to an HGK and that went extremely well.  They turn like butter now.  I jumped to my set of Sahara 4000 spinning reels (F, FA, FE).  I downloaded various diagrams of all the models and discovered I had to sometimes jump from one diagram to another regardless of the letters on the reel.  All good though.  After finalizing my 4th Sahara, I noticed the backstop was not working, in ether lever position.  I went back to the other 3 reels and sure enough, they weren't working either.  It turned out to be this stepped barrel collar.  See image attached.  I cannot find this component on any diagram.  So, when I reassembled the reels, I had to guess.  I guessed wrong.  This component sits on the pinion gear, on top of the ball bearing.  It rests mostly inside the Roller Clutch Assembly.  Turns out that the narrow side of the collar needs to point towards the heel and the wide side towards the spool.  I assume the extra space allowed by having the narrow side down allows the backstop to function. (???)  Must be, since reversing the direction fixed the backstop issue all 4 reels.  I just took the time to post this in case this helps someone.  I'm sure those of you experienced with these reels are well aware of this.
Title: Re: Shimano Sahara 4000 (F,FA,FE) backstop
Post by: Marlinmate on February 08, 2026, 04:31:11 PM
Pretty sure thats included in the "roller clutch assembly" which is why you can't see it on the schematics. 

Title: Re: Shimano Sahara 4000 (F,FA,FE) backstop
Post by: MACflyer on February 08, 2026, 04:38:52 PM
Welcome to the best fishing site, and thanks for sharing. I did the same thing about a week ago with a Sienna 4000. Plus I got the arrows on the main gear lined up incorrectly. I earned extra practice with that too. Not too bad learning on 1 reel. With 4, my patience would have worn thin haha.
Title: Re: Shimano Sahara 4000 (F,FA,FE) backstop
Post by: Gfish on February 08, 2026, 06:40:28 PM
Sssssssup! pgisclair. The smaller diameter side looks keyed to the pinion. I'm sure I've made the same mistake a couple of times. Shimano makes some nice Anti-reverse bearings, but I'd rather have a pawl-type working on the pinion. A/R bearings can be finicky to work on and can slip if lubed wrong.