5 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

Sending the reels to a pro for cleaning and repair would seem like a less complicated and possibly less costly choice;  definitely safer.

All of the tools above will cost about the price of 3 or 4 reel job, then figure another $20 to $30 for grease, oil, and applicator brushes. Not too bad, plus you get to learn something.  The learning curve isn't bad if you're mechanically inclined.  You'll make mistakes and lose parts, but it's all part of the learning process.  

The most important tool you will own is the one between your ears. 
 

I say this with almost 50 years of aviation maintenance experience. Study the exploded parts diagram that came with the instructions with your reel. If missing, you can likely download it on the Internet. Use it as a guide as you take parts off the reel and when you reinstall them. Document your steps with pics in your phone. Segregate all parts, in sequence, as you remove them. 
 

All those small parts look like a daunting task, but if you take your time, working on reels is not that difficult. But if you feel it is beyond your skill level, or the reel has an issue you aren’t sure what the problem is, seek out the skills of a professional. 
 

I do not own a specialized reel toolkit. But I guess the untold numbers of tools I’ve accumulated over the decades is enough, as I have successfully taken down my Daiwa baitcasters for cleaning and parts replacements without having to purchase anything else. 

And choose lubricants wisely!

 

I just rebuilt a Shimano Symetre 4000FI last night that had a synthetic blend grease used in it that dried up some and turned to honey like glue making the reel stiff and hard to operate.

 

I also would not recommend using acetone. It is quite strong and can damage plastics and reel finish. I don't know what others use, but I have done well with plain old mineral spirits for cleaning parts and bearings. Rarely have I needed harsher solvents.

 

Rebuilding your own reels successfully is a rewarding feeling after each fish you catch!

my BFF is DVT, no doubt.  like I said, will continue to let him do the heavy lifting.   I want to do some of the stuff.

 

same with my truck.  Frank = DVT for my tacoma.  I can handle the regular maintenance up to the spark plugs..hahah

 

Salt water has to be brutal on gear.  I can't keep sending my reels  in between trips.  

 

I dropped a motor and changed the clutch on a 1981 Porsche 911SC, so I am a hell of a shadetree mechanic.  :D.  I can pull up a chair and peek into a reel no problem, I think

Peeking inside is not the issue! People can take them apart just fine. Its the putting them back together again that's the fun part!

 

I am sure I can speak for some others on here in that we will all enjoy your threads on when you get started on some reels! They do come part pretty easy... but... sometimes its the putting them back together where things can get sticky!

 

Post photos!

 

I gotta toyota 4runner. Learned from experience to only let toyota work on it. Heck, even changing the oil these days is a nightmare. My old 4runner all I had to do was pop the hood and the filter was right there. Easy access. My new one is under the motor and behind a steel plate. I think they did that on purpose.

 

Still one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. More miles with less maintenance and repairs than any other. On my 3rd one and looking for #4.

"I can take apart the remote control, and i can almost put it back together "

 

On 10/26/2025 at 1:26 PM, FloridaFishinFool said:

they did that on purpose

Now you're getting it

 

I havent done a full tear down to the bones, but the basics were way less scary once I did it, in my head I already broke everything and lost all the parts so when I was done and it was all good I was pumped 

 

Only thing is little parts like washers can get sticky and go unnoticed when you lift something and they hitch a ride. 

 

Lay it all out left to right and put it all back in in reverse 

I got this downtown Tokyo.   it's okay.  

 

I then went into a big store and saw all sorts of cool things, but that ship sailed with my purchase.  

 

 

Pic - it was not expensive