Hey fellas.  Had this reel about 8 months now.  At the beginning of the season it squeaked like all get out so I cleaned it based off Shimano's maintenance for the reel listed on their website following all the directions.

I'm not great with taking things apart and putting them back together but I know I did that right.  I also oiled the maintenance port and the bail arm, and the area where the handle is (taking off the handle and putting a drop or two in there).  It's good for about 15 minutes then starts squeaking again.

I'm trying to get this fixed rather than go out and spend 40 dollars on a new one.  Anyone have any advice?  Do I need to use grease anywhere on the bearing, or check to see if it's not functional anymore?  If so how do I look at the bearings and do maintenance with them?  I'm really clueless at this point so any help would be appreciated guys.

My Shimano Symmetre 2500 reel is working like a charm still and is a great reel.  Used to think the same about the Sonora until this issue.  It's actually so annoying sometimes I don''t even want to fish that pole after a while.  Hopefully you guys can help me find a solution.  Appreciate anything you guys got.

Anyone know how to access or take out the bearings to be cleaned?  Looks like the idea here on the forum is to place them inside lighter fluid in a small type dish barely covering the whole part?  How long do I leave them in there?

Any help would be great.  Sorry if I seem oblivious.  I just don't want to ruin my reel by disassembling it to the point of no return.

Question when you crank the handle and get the rotor turning and the take your hand off of the crank paddle, does the reel still make the squeaking sound?

Sometimes it is something that is really obvious. Sounds like you oiled everything except the rotor pinion bearing, and the crank paddle...

The noise isn't as bad when I do that. The noise is coming from inside the reel. The crank paddle is the handle right? I don't know the names of all the parts.

So where od I put the oilf or the rotor pinion bearing? And will just oil do the trick?

I'll look on the Shimano sight and see if I can locate that bearing. If its the one after you pull the spool off in the middle of the reel I believe I did oil that. But I'm not sure.

After looking at the diagram and seeing all the bearings I am confused.  For those of you guys that have been at this stage and figured stuff out I respect your follow through because I am having a hard time understanding the schematic and how to access this certain rotor bearing.  I have a feeling I know where it is, looks like I'm gonna need a screwdriver to do so though?

The link to the schematic is here:

http://fish.shimano.com/media/fishing/SAC/techdocs/en/Spinning/04SON4000FA_v1_m56577569830571922.pdf

Is the rotor bearing that 8738 number?  Looks like it would make the most sense as 8942 is the pinion gear.  If this is the case I will look for a screwdriver to take this apart and oil it.  Is there a way you can get the oil in without disassembling?

Anyone?  Thanks for the previous info Dave.  Just trying to get this finished up so I can take both rods and reels back out on the water.

Also Dave if you wouldn't mind checking out my thread on Suffix Braid and letting me know what you think as far as using heavier rated lines on reels and rods that are only meant to hold lighter sizes.  For instance.  My rod and reel is rated for 12lb test max.  Am I sacrificing breaking guides, my rod, or messing up my reel by using say 20lb braid on it?  Just your opinion if you could.

Sorry to be a pain fellas.  Just wanna get these questions answered.  I did review your maintenance stickey Dave but I'm still a little lost as far as the reel.  Hope I'm not bugging you too much.  I know your a busy guy and have other stuff to tend to so I appreciate any advice you could give.  Or if anyone else could help I wouldn't mind additional help at all.

Anybody?  Is there a better subforum for me to post these questions?  Or do not many do this reel maintenance or have the know how?

JCrzy4Bass,

Yup very busy with reels and custom rods....

The reference number in the schematic is RD8738, sits right behind the big gray/black one-way bearing. The other thing that might be making the noise is the bushing (RD2293) on the right hand side of the crank these don't get oiled they get some grease. The proper way to correct the problem your having is a complete take down of the reel. BUT!

DO NOT try this if you have never taken a spinning reel apart, or are not familiar with all the modules in a spinning reel.

My rod and reel is rated for 12lb test max.  Am I sacrificing breaking guides, my rod, or messing up my reel by using say 20lb braid on it?  Just your opinion if you could.

Definitely over-lining the rod, I personally don't use braided lines for anything.......

Just my .02¢

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!  

Dave, thanks so much for your time and advice on the reel I'm having problems with.  I'm going to look around town.  We have a small mom and pops shop up the rod where the main guy there has been doing reel maintenance for years.  I'm gonna print out a copy of this thread and see if he would be able to help me out.

If not I'll look around town.  I would come to you as I know you do an excellent job, just I don't wanna send out all my stuff and play the wait game through postal mail.

Thanks for all your help bud.  Your a great asset to this forum!

I took JCrzy4Bass's Shimano reel apart this afternoon and lubricated all of the bearings and gears and I believe it may have solved his problems.  I guess we will know for sure on Saturday when we go out fishing together.

My new Cabelas Fish Eagle Tournament 2 is doing this too. But it is just when the line is almost all the way in. I can get a video of it if you need it.

Thanks alot for all your help last night dad.  Hopefully problem solved.  If it ends up being a part issue though I'm just gonna buy a new reel.  At least we know how to take those spinning reels apart and assemble them again.  Makes for less money spent on repairs.

I'm confident we did all we could.  I don't think we really missed anything after looking at that schematic and comparing parts and all.  Can't wait for Saturday to try it out!

If this happens while you are reeling in line, it may be the line guide roller needs cleaning/lubing.  

but why would mine do this right before the lines almost althe way in?

Word of advice.  Most companies have a general maintenance page for cleaning or lubing general parts like Maintenance Ports, Bail Arm, Ball Bearing, etc.  Look online to see if you can find a maintenance page for cleaning a spinning and/or baitcasting reel.

Then go to your companies page (for the reel) and find the specific schematic for your reel if you want to investigate further.  I'd have someone work with you as we realized it was pretty complicated.  My dad is a pretty good handyman though and was able to figure stuff out pretty well.

If you do wanna go ahead and take it apart, label ALL the parts and place them in order of the schematic on a paper towel facing the exact direction as indicated on it.  Don't be aggressive in taking stuff off so you don't break anything.  Looking at this thread you should find the answers or common answers to your problems as Reel Mech diagnosed mine pretty good him being where he is and me here.  Great guy that character.

Jay,

I feel pretty confident that we corrected your problem.  The reel seemed to work pretty sweet with no tension on it as well as when we spooled it using the Berkly spooling station.  I would think that the line was put on with a good amount of tension and we did not see any problems.  That leads me to believe that you will not have any problems with it when you fish.  The only way you are going to get more tension on the line than what we had on it when we spooled it is if you have a fish fighting on the line.

Dad

Ok, I just took my reel out and its not the reel making he noise. The last eyelet, the line is scraping on it and making funny noises. Is there a way to fix this? Its breaking up the line.

What lb test are you using on your rod?  What's your rod rated for?  How old is it?  How tight do you have your drag set?

Sounds to me like your rod has had an indentation in the guide and it needs to be replaced.  Otherwise it will cut up your line constantly and it will be fraying.  I'm assuming you are using braid?

Definately hold off on using that rod til' you get it taken care of, that combo = lost fish.

Im just going to buy a new eylet tomarrow.