I took my Shimano Sahara 2500 FD apart last fall, cleaned and relubed it. I was careful to put it back together just the way the schematic showed. But I'm still having a problem.

 

I am a firm believer in manually closing the bail, almost never turning the handle to close it, but lately I've noticed a couple times where even when I close the bail manually I still have to turn the handle and "trip" something (which sounds a lot like the bail closing action) in order to actually reel the line in - like turning the handle to close the bail, but the arm's already closed.

 

I took it apart, and I don't see anything out of place, but then again I'm not a reel expert of any kind, I just dabble enough to apparently get myself in trouble

 

Any ideas what I might look at as the problem?

Spinning reel bails are one of the most finicky reel assemblies to mess with. It sounds like possibly the bail trip lever is not seated in the bail arm correctly. It's nearly impossible to diagnose something like this without seeing it though.

Spinning reel bails are one of the most finicky reel assemblies to mess with.

 

It's nearly impossible to diagnose something like this without seeing it though.

X2...

Wouldn't even try with holding the reel..

Send it to Mike (DVT)...

 

Tight Lines!

I happen to have a reel in for repair as we speak, when I get it back I have the same brand and model going in for the same exact issue.  The issue is this, at the point where the bail gets screwed in to the line roller assembly, the bail wire has nearly an inch of play.  It should be perfectly solid connection as in every other spinning reel I own, with absolutely no exceptions.  This is just one of other bail problems I've had with this brand and model.  Not to depress owners of this reel, I'll refrain from naming it.  Don't be fooled because a reel is smooth that it's well built.