I have an ambassador 5000 reel thats about 20years old ...needs new gears. is this something i can replace myself (do i need special tools ect) or should i let a pro do it. I can't find anyone in my area that does it.    

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These reels are not that difficult to work on.  I am not a very mechanically inclined person and I just took an Abu 5600 aprt and put it back together without much difficulty.  Just make sure you have a schematic of the reel before you get started.  

While you are in there you can add/replace bearings and upgrade the drag as well.

If you search on line there are a number of write ups that would be of assistance if you decide to work on your reel.

thanks for info guy's, as cheap as repair sounds i'll probably send it off to get fixed... it would'nt take much for me to screw something up anyway  

If you want to learn, fine a junk reel and tear into it. That's how I did it years ago.