Hey everyone was fishing the other day and trolling motor battery slid into my reel, was very tight when the spook would cycle downwards. Pulled it apart an the main shaft is bent. But it appears the entire reel is leaning forward like the spool is pointed down at the first guide, not quite that far though. I think the foot/ leg of the reel may also be bent but it shows no sign on the surface. MY question is do spinning reels typically have a forward lean or do the feet/ rod blanks run parallel with the spool? Thanks in advance.

 

will add photos later.
 

It’s a Sahara 1500fb probably 10-15 years old, would like to repair it.

I hate to say it but that sounds like it is beyond repair.  Also, the repair by a professional would cost more than the reel is worth.  I would try Ebay for a used one if you like the reel.   I had a Sahara years ago as well.  It was a great reel but I destroyed it when I hooked into a 40lb+ blue catfish.  I stripped the insides, bent the shaft like you, and broke a rod to boot. 

33 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I hate to say it but that sounds like it is beyond repair.  Also, the repair by a professional would cost more than the reel is worth.  I would try Ebay for a used one if you like the reel.   I had a Sahara years ago as well.  It was a great reel but I destroyed it when I hooked into a 40lb+ blue catfish.  I stripped the insides, bent the shaft like you, and broke a rod to boot. 

That sounds like a heck of a lot of fun, maybe worth the price of admission.

It's an $80 reel, new. Used, but functioning $20 - $30.

I doubt the stem bent. The angle of the spool shaft is called upsweep. If the part  can be obtained, repair should be about $40 all in (parts , labor, shipping)

This is my first real reel my parents had bought me when i was about 14 or 15 so it’s got a bit of Sentimental value. I can get a main shaft for about $8 new. I took about half an hour this evening and placed the main shaft in some v blocks and ran an indicator over it straightened it in the vise a few times and got it within a couple thousands reassembled with new grease and no more tight spots, night and free spinning. Now my only concern is that the leg may be bent. See picture and let me know what you think. 
 

14 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I doubt the stem bent. The angle of the spool shaft is called upsweep. If the part  can be obtained, repair should be about $40 all in (parts , labor, shipping)

Thanks for this let me know what you think about the photos, I’ve got no issue repairing myself just need parts.

Sorry to say but to me that appears to be bent. I have a brand new Nasci in a box in front of me.  And doesn’t have that much of a rake to it. Nasci/Sahara same reel. 

The Sahara and Symetre were always great reels. 

I fished through many favorite reels.  They're just not made to last indefinitely.  

I haven't thrown one away, not even my '71 Mitchell 300 from high school that I fished through the gears in 4 years on fall Spanish macks at the jetties.  I have a storage box with those memento reels.  

The angle does look steep in the pics. Try casting it and see how it works. Hard to believe the impact bent the stem but didn’t damage anything else. 

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The angle does look steep in the pics. Try casting it and see how it works. Hard to believe the impact bent the stem but didn’t damage anything else. 

Will do, I was thinking the same thing surprising rod isn’t damaged.

Took it out fishing the past couple days. Casts just fine no issues. Been having loads of problems with line twist using braid, I have spooled it off the top with the label facing up as in all the videos. I have a feeling this Reel spool is so small compared to the line spool that it adds some twist to the line. Rather frustrating.

Every spinning reel adds a twist in the line with every revolution if the line end can’t unwind. Braid shouldn’t show line twist very fast, it takes a lot of use and starts to have wind knots, ie; line twist.

Check the bail roller it is more then likely damaged.

The braid cost more then your reel is worth.

Tom

check first whether the reel has a ball-bearing line roller.  

If not, it's not suitable for braid.  

 

12 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

check first whether the reel has a ball-bearing line roller.  

If not, it's not suitable for braid.  

 

Yeah it certainly does have a ball bearing line roller. Seems to be a good condition to me rotates nicely.

Thank the pinion gear out of the reel and clean the centre out with a cotton bud, the get a permanent marker pen and colour the shaft all around the area that has the bend, let the ink dry and slowly push the shaft into the pinion gear until you feel resistance, pull the shaft back and where the ink is scratched, face it down on a hard surface and tap with a hammer, try it back in the pinion gear again and keep doing this until the shaft runs freely through the pinion gear

On 2/6/2021 at 7:20 AM, Derek Talbot said:

Thank the pinion gear out of the reel and clean the centre out with a cotton bud, the get a permanent marker pen and colour the shaft all around the area that has the bend, let the ink dry and slowly push the shaft into the pinion gear until you feel resistance, pull the shaft back and where the ink is scratched, face it down on a hard surface and tap with a hammer, try it back in the pinion gear again and keep doing this until the shaft runs freely through the pinion gear

This is exactly what i did only i slipped it in a tube and gave it a couple very small bends in a couple spots before using a brass hammer on it. Runs much smoother, although its slightly a little tight in one spot.