First Shimano Vanford C3000HG.

 

Handle came with some weird sleeve for the screw shaft I've never seen before. I can get the handle on, but there's a weird gap between the housing and the base where the handle inserts. Never had trouble putting on a handle until now.  Other Vanford owners: Does this look correct? It won't screw tighter and I won't force it 

 

 

If its anything like the Shimano Spheros, the aluminum colored sleeve screws onto the shaft counterclockwise. Once thats screwed in then the handle can screw all the way in. 

The Vanford 500F, 1000F, and C2000HG seem to have a slightly narrower gap, but they have smaller respective form-factors than your C3000HG.  As long as there isn't any excess lateral play, I wouldn't worry about it.

After seeing this thread I went to pull mine out of the box (haven't used it yet). Sure thing, same here. Seems odd to me that the gap is supposed to be there but maybe that's just how they designed these? 

 

As mentioned, if the handle is tight and solid then run with it.

Both of mine have a small gap as well but was never a concern of mine.

Yeah, the more pics I look at online (from Shimano even) it looks like it was designed that way. 

 

I also have a Shimano Soare CI4+ 500S (JDM), which I believe the Vanford was based upon, and it has the same gap.

Maybe my eyes are failing but the OPs gap still looks about double everyone else's

I can't see a way to make it any smaller really - sounds like this is by design, but seemed weird.  I don't think I've seen a little aluminum sleeve like that - maybe it's for salt?

 

I'll just go with it. Thanks for checking guys - appreciated.

On 6/19/2021 at 9:34 PM, nicksb said:

I can't see a way to make it any smaller really - sounds like this is by design, but seemed weird.  I don't think I've seen a little aluminum sleeve like that - maybe it's for salt?

 

I'll just go with it. Thanks for checking guys - appreciated.

For your piece of mind. I checked Stradic FL and they do have gap as well. The Vanford is just Stradic FL with different body material. The sleeve and washer is there to prevent water get into the body.
Here is a trick if that annoy you. You can remove the sleeve and see how thick is your washer. You can reduce the gap by getting thinner one.

 

Washer removed and no gap. Remember you need a little bit of gap so the handle doesn’t rub the body when spin.
 

 

That solved it.  1. there is a gap (by design) 2. I had my washer on the reel side of the sleeve instead of on the handle side of the sleeve.  After swapping, the gap is smaller.  Not sure how that happened.

Glad you figured it out. You gotta appreciate those Shimano engineering.????