Great idea
Other than removing and sharpening the blades on my lawn tractor, I've found that the less parts needed to fix anything is a lot easier to fix than a unit that has over 15 parts. Fishing reels can be daunting especially when they don't come with a parts diagram.
Some of the cheaper Gander Mountain spinning reels don't come with a parts diagram. When I called the company, I was told none is available, but if I wanted my reel fixed under the one year warranty I would have to pay shipping. Nonsense! So I took it apart to see why the handle was not smooth turning.
Oh Boy! Without a diagram with detailed pictures, I had no idea how to put it back together or which screws went where. Good thing I had a duplicate reel and decided to take it apart - photographing each lure part(s) involved of the reel that did work step by step.
After an hour or so, I found the problem in one of the gears and referred to the photos on my camera to assemble both reels. Worked like a charm! Here are some of the shots that made life easier and kept my reliance on a poor memory and my frustration at a minimum:
The pictures show me where different parts go (went) before I disassembled the reel and the order to be reassembled. Even certain screws should be put in the proper holes and single parts, like the anti-reverse brass spring that popped out on the floor, (pointed to by the Phillips screw driver), put back correctly. Reel works like charm!
The more parts, the greater the necessity for pictures even when a diagram is included that may be vague as far a which part goes where. In fact, a diagram to another more expensive Gander Mountain reel I own was all wrong, giving wrong names to the wrong parts! Drawings just don't cut it at times!
Last edited by Spoonminnow; 10-05-2016 at 08:52 PM.
Great idea
Last edited by "G"; 10-05-2016 at 08:27 PM.
I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
PICO Lures Field Rep
Zebco, on the other hand, unlike the by-phone, useless customer service at Gander, was fantastic! The woman sent me a diagram via email and knew her stuff when it came to resolving the symptom of a rough retrieve. (A few bearings popped out when I dropped the reel and should have stayed in place.) I told her the reel was under warranty and even without me faxing proof of purchase, she sent me a bearing part she predicted I would eventually need if the bearing popped out again. What service! Minn Kota is no different!!
I have found the website below to be valuable in finding reel schematics. There prices are not terrible but I normally will wait till I need a couple of parts to combine shipping. I once paid 61 cents for a bail spring and over $6 to ship it.
Nutter Rod and Reel
Clint
Far West Kentucky
Old enough to know better and way too old to care!
I have always laid out a clean cloth or paper towel and laid everything from left to right in order it comes off. Keep screws with their respective assemblies. To reassemble reverse from right to left.
Spoonminnow LIKED above post
When I do any kind of work, I like a few things.
1. Lights
2. Camera
3. zip-loc bags.
OrangeAgent's tip is a good one.
Good job getting your reel fixed up.
RCC's Crappie Eradication Service
Eliminating your slab problems one fish at a time
For free estimates give us a call at O U 812.
They don't carry parts for Gander Mountain reels and not a source unless I knew who made them for G.M. Parts diagragms can be confusing and are never in a photo format, so I'm stuck taking pictures and keeping everything separate. BTW great idea keeping parts separate in a zip lock bag!
Here's another great site for Reel and other fishing related schematics = click on what your reel is then view details then they pop up or click view more and then it will show it and you can download them
Mikes Reel Repair
Spoonminnow LIKED above post
The fishing dept. manager at Gander told me their reels were made by Pflueger. The bodies do look like the Pfluegers as do the Cabela reels.