Old shimano baitrunner means a lot to me

[kblue]

My 4500B baitrunner broke again while fishing on Jensen Causeway last weekend. Reel couldn't get out of bait runner mode no matter what I did.
When other reel died on me, it becomes a good excuse to buy a new one. But somehow, I can't do that with my 4500B. Perhaps, I respect a good engineering of this reel??? (whatever) And I don't even remember when I bought this reel. I only estimate it has been nearly 10 years with me.

Today, again I decided to fix this reel (instead of buying new or used one) so I opened the reel that I am so familiar with inside of.
I found out a broken piece of E clip lock washer that keeps star stopper stopping the rotation of main thread rod of the reel in normal mode.
I am sort of guessing this is common problem of this model. I've seen E clip problem in Daiwa ans Shimmano.

Here is the picture.

Before.jpg

Instead of ordering a new part, I decided to use a wire (I know this is dirty job but I believe it will last for a while). I put two independent wire loops just in case. Here is the picture.

After.jpg

I am afraid I may end up keeping this particular reel forever...

[BEOWULF]

Cool, a fellow reel nut. I read schematics for fun.

[STRIZ]

Awesome

A class act mc giver move

Well done. Them baitrunners are some of the best reels made after others like penn senators the old ones

[Kingofthesea]

I read schematics for fun.

You slay me bud. Definitely looking forward to meeting you one day on the planks. Since I attend ALL Boatless events it's probably gonna be your move. Seems like both of us are (for an unknown reason) attached to our current planks and neither go down the road much.

[Rare]

Why put a wire and not the e- clip? On a part that is relatively cheap. Less than $5 with shipping if that. What is the tolerance of that wire? If you were out fishing and you did this, great. But why do this that made cause more damage when the wire failed if a decent fish hits it. It will suck to loss a nice fish on a cheap part. If it lasted 10 years, it's worth another 10years.

[BEOWULF]

Since I attend ALL Boatless events it's probably gonna be your move. Seems like both of us are (for an unknown reason) attached to our current planks and neither go down the road much.

10-4 bud. I commute for my job 44 miles a day on i95 with the worst drivers in the world, so yeah, I tend to avoid driving any more after that. <- me after the return drive

As for reels, I recently found this site with some awesome photos of reels laid out in parts. Can't understand a word they're saying, but the pics speak for themselves:

http://mulinete.wordpress.com/mulinete/

Ah, and ya gotta look here... http://www.carp-gps.com/iblog/?page_id=1798

[linh]

Why put a wire and not the e- clip? On a part that is relatively cheap. Less than $5 with shipping if that. What is the tolerance of that wire? If you were out fishing and you did this, great. But why do this that made cause more damage when the wire failed if a decent fish hits it. It will suck to loss a nice fish on a cheap part. If it lasted 10 years, it's worth another 10years.

Exactly. Not to mention copper wire is pretty soft material.

[kblue]

Why put a wire and not the e- clip? On a part that is relatively cheap. Less than $5 with shipping if that. What is the tolerance of that wire? If you were out fishing and you did this, great. But why do this that made cause more damage when the wire failed if a decent fish hits it. It will suck to loss a nice fish on a cheap part. If it lasted 10 years, it's worth another 10years.

Your saying is very reasonable. But I do know about this e-clip. I believe it probably started being loosened for some years ago. And finally, it completely loosened and went into the worm gear and broke into pieces. I think the reason that this e clip is broken is just made of a defective material (by a shimano part supplier, it would take years to find this out).
I've seen similar e clip in my Daiwa as well. I had to bend it a little bit to create more grabbing pressure. The grabbing pressure of this e clip is very weak. I don't know why. (well, probably new part will be better now)
I really felt my 40LB wire for king fish would be sufficient for a while... (I will let you know if I lost a fish with this)

[Kingofthesea]

I like you kblue but we certainly come from different directions. I own an original 4500 many many times older than your reel which I use every day. I use it because it's perfect. Just like the day I bought it in Newport. It costs nothing to have it professionally refurbished. LANDING fish on old units is the fun. The chance of losing a great fish because of preventable equipment failure is a scar that never heals. Not equipment failure by any means but I know Poseidon still thinks about that 50" snookie.

Don't get me wrong. I have a life size picture of my hero McGuiver in my bedroom. I drive a thirty year old jeep, a forty year old corvette and a fifteen year old ragtop. All perfect running machines. I appreciate innovation but I always look carefully at the downside. Just my two cents.

[kblue]

If I used a new part to fix the reel, this thread will be so boring. I would only post something stupid or odd just for fun...
Thanks for all the good advice as I expected.

My 4500B unlike yours has a lot of wounds and i fixed most. But one outstanding major wound is a reel foot(seat). One side of reel foot is broken off...
I am right handed and cranking the reel with right hand... How do I mount the reel on the rod? I won't tell you.
4500B has a relatively small gear but very solid. My reel doesn't seem to have much of bearing/gear free play from all those abuses.

My plan is to buy a broken 4500B, where I can take lots of parts out...

[Rare]

. My reel doesn't seem to have much of bearing/gear free play from all those abuses

Try some TSI 321 oil

[kblue]

. My reel doesn't seem to have much of bearing/gear free play from all those abuses

Try some TSI 321 oil

Thanks Rare.

[BEOWULF]

HELLOOOOOO, speaking of non-boring threads, did you click on my link to the carp girls??? You'll never look at carping the same again.

[Rare]

They are good stuff for your reels. I have given away plenty of cal gresse to folks and still have after 4plus years. Pay for itself on the first reel it went on

[kblue]

. My reel doesn't seem to have much of bearing/gear free play from all those abuses

Try some TSI 321 oil

Just trivial correction...
If the reel doesn't have free play of bearing/gear from abusive use, it means shimano bearing and gear are very good...

Where can I buy TSI 321? ebay or from rare?

[tears143]

The chance of losing a great fish because of preventable equipment failure is a scar that never heals.

Tell me about it... I lost a big fish once when it was working my reel drag like crazy and the drag just struck and line pop...basically broke the drag system... melted the rubber parts on the spool. From then on, I buy decent reels.

[kblue]

It sounded drag washers were stuck...
Smooth drag is the key for reel's longevity... I would never mass around with drag...

[Rare]

Where can I buy TSI 321? ebay or from rare?

http://bit.ly/1tJbAxT

[kblue]

Where can I buy TSI 321? ebay or from rare?

http://bit.ly/1tJbAxT

Thanks for the excellent customer service And I will come back for something else.

[Rare]

First link is @ $12.99. It's not bad at all with just a small drop is all you need. Speaking of excellent customer service , I called avet last week for a pinion bearing and got to say they have gotten better. Still that strange lady on the other end sound like a phone sex operator with her tone

[BEOWULF]

Still that strange lady on the other end sound like a phone sex operator with her tone

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[STRIZ]

Cool

That means the black one will soon fulfill its purpose again and see some fish

[Rare]

Cool

That means the black one will soon fulfill its purpose again and see some fish