Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Ambassadeur Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: LLCC on December 26, 2012, 10:08:05 AM

Title: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: LLCC on December 26, 2012, 10:08:05 AM
We were out fishing at the mangrove lined river of Sg Mamam, and as usual, we'd go as far upstream as we can in the inflatable and start drifting downstream, casting at likely structure we drift to. On this trip, my friend produced this beautiful Ambassadeur 2500C but it sounded more like a pepper grinder than a reel and proceeded to cast without much success unless the lure was a heavy one.

After the trip, I brought the reel home to find out what ails it and I took some pics along the way. First the general outside views.


(http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9047/77654931.jpg)
My friend has a simple maintenance regimen for all his reels. 1) Take them out to fish. 2) Bring back to boat and hang to dry on the overhead rod racks. 3) Ensure that cabin and windows are locked and blinds are closed. 4) Leave the boat till next trip.


(http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3613/48989928.jpg)
When I got this reel home, I gave it a good spray down with SaltX as there was a thick encrusting of dried sea water.


(http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1791/61672871.jpg)
After a wipe down, the reel exteriors look much better.


(http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1577/78176369.jpg)
But traces of the seawater patina do remain and will need a longer soaking in SaltX. I just hope that ABU has better paint than Daiwa, as another friend found the logos on his Zillion PE came off after SaltX.


(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8173/83785597.jpg)
Dismantling the right side, I'm hardly surprised to find there is minimal corrosion on this reel, despite the hard life it had to go through. ABU Ambassadeurs are tough little multipliers that keep working!


(http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/9012/33483957.jpg)
I also quickly found the reason why it doesn't cast light lures well: The centrifugal pellets are missing! So in an effort to control the cast, the owner had wound the Cast Control knob down tight.


(http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7672/43813018.jpg)
First item on the agenda is to establish whether the spool ball bearings are the culprits for causing this reel to sound like a pepper grinder.


(http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4351/94346829.jpg)
Oh oh! The seals on these bearings are not held in place by C-clips. Instead, they are pressed in and removing these mean they can't be popped back. Since the owner wants the bearing to be run closed, I'll just degrease them and oil with a light oil.

The bearings are still in decent working condition after degreasing. One is capable of spinning for 15 seconds perched on my forceps, and the other stayed spinning for 8 seconds. So what is causing the roughness?


(http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9430/69511694.jpg)
Meanwhile, I managed to locate my bottle of spare parts for my Ambassadeur 6500C, and in it are these old phenolic resin pellets. Since I won't be needing them, I'll just donate these to the 2500C.


(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7076/33183659.jpg)
Stripping down the left side plate, I found surprisingly minimal corrosion for the amount of abuse this reel had gone through. The calcified stains of dried seawater is also clearly seen here.


(http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7907/62043083.jpg)
The copper shim is deeply scored and blackened with dried old oil.


(http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8695/29463041.jpg)
The levelwind mechanism seem to be the worst hit by seawater residue. Look at the line guide, there's a whole coral reef growing from the calcification on this thing!


(http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/9331/12648185.jpg)
There is calcification a-plenty. But I would have expected much more pitting and corrosion no?


(http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9062/80220970.jpg)
Perhaps this and a little warmed vinegar is the solution to getting rid of the calcium deposits.


(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3972/33590911.jpg)
And this is what it looks like after cleaning.


(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1913/77283708v.jpg)
But the poor brush died in the process! Haha!

I was only joking. No brass brush was used on the reel at all. I only gave the parts a soak in SaltX followed by a washdown using Simple Green and warm water. There were some stubborn spots of calcium that required polishing with a Q-tip and Autosol Chrome Polish.


(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8572/18767532.jpg)
Despite my best efforts, I'm unable to turn this one around. It's time to put an order on Mike's Reel Repair for a levelwind pawl.


(http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7143/61022844.jpg)
After cleaning, this plate look none the worse for wear.


(http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5091/50114933.jpg)
To prevent further damage from corrosion, I greased this left sideplate cover with Quiksilver 2-4-C marine grease. Actually, any grease is better than no grease at all. I happen to have a tube of 2-4-C left over after replacing my propeller cotter pin, and having been impressed how the prop just slipped smoothly off like it was installed yesterday instead of years ago, I determined that it is good enough to protect my fishing reels from corrosion too.

Observe I buttered the corners, holes, screws and flanges thickly, but I totally avoided getting grease on the chromed mounting post for the levelwind idler gear.


(http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9920/68854924.jpg)
Levelwind pinion sits in its plastic housing with its yoke side facing the U-notch. Observe the tongue on the left side which slots into the left sideplate cover via a keyway.


(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7277/14150979.jpg)
Oil the chromed post with a light oil and drop in levelwind idler gear.


(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1497/70742819n.jpg)
Secure with E-clip, drop a drop of light oil and put aside.


(http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8315/99719866.jpg)
Grease frame for protection against corrosion. Attach worm guide through frame and line guide, adjust that it sits squarely into its notches and grooves.


(http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8271/31488819.jpg)
Plastic shaped end fits into its shaped hole on the right frame.


(http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/1718/42916126.jpg)
When properly fitted, worm guide is flush on the left frame.


(http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1262/72381458.jpg)
Drop worm gear into the worm guide and secure by snapping its Delrin clasps against the left frame.


(http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5183/64532562.jpg)
Delrin clasps snapped in place against frame, worm guide cleaned of grease as grease will rob it of casting distance.


(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9/56375753y.jpg)
Protect left aluminum plate with 2-4-C grease


(http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7813/50692954.jpg)
Attach Spool ball bearing, secure with C-clip and seat in place on left side frame.


(http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/7015/83764210.jpg)
Fit and secure left sideplate cover taking care not to over torque screws, then wipe off excess grease.


(http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1245/47081786.jpg)
Drop a drop of light oil on copper shims, threads and attach the cast control knob. Your left side is done.


(http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/3780/68894523.jpg)
Here is the right side degreased, cleaned and ready for assembly. It helps that you place the parts in order as they came out, so you can fit them back again. Having a properly enlarged schematic for reference is a good idea too.

First, I shot a bit of WD-40 down the shafts on the handle. It is a good penetrating spray to use in cleaning the handle shafts. Spin the knobs till black dirty oil appear at the other end. Continue to apply WD-40 till only clean oil comes out. Dry with a blast of compressed air and apply 3 drops of CorrosionX to each shaft. Work the knobs till CorrosionX comes displaces WD-40 at the other end and wipe off excess.


(http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/693/77418354.jpg)
Grease for lubrication and corrosion resistance, taking care to grease under the plastic arms too.


(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1011/46446176.jpg)
There is a chamfered side on the yoke. The chamfered ends should face downwards.


(http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/6161/85438157.jpg)
Grease between the teeth of pinion, hang on the yoke taking care to ensure the chamfered side is facing down and place on its cradle.


(http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/9153/91893025.jpg)
Thread copper washer through spindle and lubricate spindle with a drop of CorrosionX


(http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5982/87096345.jpg)
Grease drive shaft and thread over spindle.


(http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2603/59228818.jpg)
Lightly grease phenolic washer with Cal's Grease and drop onto drive shaft.


(http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5440/57739531.jpg)
Work Cal's Grease between the teeth of main drive, lightly grease the rubber-ish drag disc and assemble.


(http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/3986/13877984.jpg)
Grease drag pressure plate and fit in.


(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9097/56537592.jpg)
Drop in one of the 2 big copper washers.


(http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/527/49347943.jpg)
The smear a layer of CorrosionX on roller clutch inner tube and slide down drive shaft.


(http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9185/72891681.jpg)
Grease right sideplate cover for better corrosion resistance and add a drop of oil into pinion cap and roller clutch bearing.


(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/3896/99356353.jpg)
Mate with right sideplate cover and secure with 2 screws taking care not to over torque them. Drop a drop of CorrosionX oil to pinion spindle and attach spool ball bearing. ABU engineers had designed an excellent C-clip. This version is easy to remove and attach.


(http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/1079/31786736.jpg)
This little reel is fished with 20lb spectra, to pull dirty-fighting fish out of barnacle encrusted mangroves and oyster beds. So I decided to spoon the belleville washers to increase pressure. However, by doing so, there is less scope for adjustment. So I added a drag spring from a Calcutta 100 (the black belleville) which is a bit more curved. The part number on the packet of spares is BNT15. So by using all three this way ((C, I gain the additional pressure and some scope. In effect, it performs like a compound curve drag on a game reel. Initial turns of the star drag will add gradual drag pressure, but when you cinch down on it, the last 3 legs of the lever increases drag pressure tremendously.

With greased pads, line pays out smoothly needing hardly any breakaway force. However, it will be a wise investment to buy couple of spare main drives and pinions to have as replacement when these wear down.


(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/4452/30865684.jpg)
Grease and drop in 2nd large copper washer.


(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5256/75584142.jpg)
Grease star drag and thread down drive shaft


(http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8390/65015708.jpg)
Grease and attach spring washer with concave side facing up.


(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/2709/74450522.jpg)
Grease handle, secure with E-clip. Thread and secure the handle nut, locking plate and screw and you're almost done...

I polished the ends of each spool shaft till they're mirror shiny, using a Q-tip and some Autosol Chrome Polish. Make sure you do not polish the shaft but the ends. Also do your Autosol polishing away from the reel assemble as the polish can grind down your reel causing premature wear and rough operation. Polish away any residue, till the there is no black marks on buffing cloth. Then wash with soap and water.


(http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/7446/80928700.jpg)
So here's the finished reel. It spins freely on its bearings, drag is smooth and stronger and it no longer cranks like a pepper grinder. But wait! I forgot to put in the 2 centrifugal brake pellets! hehehe, wicked thoughts! Don't they teach you to always keep your thumb on the flange anymore?

Hope this can help you service your own reel.

LL
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: 0119 on December 26, 2012, 01:35:14 PM
Thanks, it does help me a lot.  My 2 2500c's are my favorite reels.  I didnt realize there was a chamfered edge to the yoke, I'll have to check mine and make sure Ive placed them correctly.
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: johndtuttle on December 26, 2012, 05:30:32 PM
Long live Abu Garcia  ;D

well, this one will for sure thanks to your efforts... :D
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: Ken_D on December 26, 2012, 06:18:54 PM
Well done !!  Here's a drawing typical of the IAR 25's.  They made chrome, black, blue, gold, and green. http://www.abugarcia.com/sites/default/files/schematics/2500CIAR%200400.PDF

The 'theory' hardly changes from the original leaf-dogged a/r system.
http://www.abugarcia.com/sites/default/files/schematics/2500C%2078-11-01.PDF

If memory serves, the 25's still hold the distance records in tourney casting the lighter weights.
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: Misdemeanor_outlaw on August 26, 2013, 04:17:30 PM
Hi,
Just stumbled upon your strip down of the 2500C and this great forum.
Great information so a very big thanks. Can you explain the correct fitment of the yoke and which way round it fits in ? Thanks !!
My 2500C has a foot number of 760400 so is an early one. I also have a very much earlier ABU 2100 Sport and I reckon she outcasts the 2500c using same bait weight, line size and rod.
Any comments appreciated
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: Fishit 2 on April 11, 2015, 06:23:44 PM
Curious to why you wouldn't replace that drag washer that is all torn up?
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: LLCC on June 05, 2015, 12:34:24 PM
Quote from: Fishit 2 on April 11, 2015, 06:23:44 PM
Curious to why you wouldn't replace that drag washer that is all torn up?
It's a greased leather washer. It looks like that when it is good.

LL
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: jbutler on March 02, 2016, 12:43:11 PM
Cannot view the photos in the tutorial. Would love to see them. Very good step by step tutorial. Thanks
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: anglingarchitect on March 02, 2016, 03:13:18 PM
can't see pictures either.
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: Mooki on March 03, 2016, 11:06:13 AM
Try the wayback machine.
Couldn't get it to work with Killerbug's post, but this one seemed OK.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150326144217/http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=6068.0
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: jbutler on March 03, 2016, 01:52:36 PM
Thanks Mooki. Can view them now.
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: LLCC on June 22, 2016, 01:17:06 AM
I'm sorry that the links had all been broken with the photos. The web hosting company had blocked them and want me to pay for the hosting service.

I have since hosted the pictures with Google, and the images are re-linked on my blog.

You can once again view the full tutorial here:

https://gaspinggurami.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/servicing-abu-ambassadeur-2500c/

Best,

LL
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: seegran on December 12, 2017, 07:01:38 AM
Mine 2500C item part no 10251 (spool pinion bushing) the tongue broken, hard to find the parts recently. Anyone can help ?
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: GulfOfBothnia on December 12, 2017, 06:41:21 PM
Quote from: seegran on December 12, 2017, 07:01:38 AM
Mine 2500C item part no 10251 (spool pinion bushing) the tongue broken, hard to find the parts recently. Anyone can help ?

You can replace it using a piece of rubber tube of bicycle valve, a piece of silicon tube or tiny o-ring. Basically anything small that fits the shaft to lock pinion in place. Actually this should increase casting performance a little.

If you want it original then check e.g. ebay. Not sure if Purefishing still have them.
Title: Re: SERVICING - Ambassadeur 2500C
Post by: seegran on January 10, 2018, 08:59:56 AM
Quote from: GulfOfBothnia on December 12, 2017, 06:41:21 PM
Quote from: seegran on December 12, 2017, 07:01:38 AM
Mine 2500C item part no 10251 (spool pinion bushing) the tongue broken, hard to find the parts recently. Anyone can help ?

You can replace it using a piece of rubber tube of bicycle valve, a piece of silicon tube or tiny o-ring. Basically anything small that fits the shaft to lock pinion in place. Actually this should increase casting performance a little.

If you want it original then check e.g. ebay. Not sure if Purefishing still have them.
Thanks, great idea. I manage to get a small bearing to fit it in.  ;D
And yes it does increase casting performance, not a little but a bit more. ;D