Reel Repair Question- Shimano Sahara Seizing Up.

[Jason R.]

Anyone had trouble with one of these reels freezing and grinding? I've only had the thing for a year or two with minimal use and it randomly started seizing up and grinding really bad. I changed out the grease and oiled some parts and it helped for a little while but the grinding is back. Any ideas?

[Gavin]

Wish I had a $1 bill for every Shimano Spinning reel that binds and grinds. Every one I've owned in the past 10-15 years has bound up within a season or two so I dont buy them anymore. Chuck it, and buy and Abu or a Plueger. Sorry they burned you too.

[UnCivE]

I've had a Sahara for the last 3 years and it's never done that. I don't primarily fish spinning reels though, so it may not have as many hours on it as you've put on yours.

[Jason R.]

Bummer. I've sent several emails to them and they are not very helpful. They'll let me sent it in to be evaluated but might charge me $25 dollars plus shipping plus the shipping to get it there. That's at least $40. Stupid- I have wal-mart spinning reels that have lasted many years and this one lasted maybe one- and I hardly used it. It'll make a fine paperweight I suppose.

[Guest csfishinfool]

I have had two shimanos repaired at Bass Pro in the Outlet Center. I think parts were like five bucks, it may have cost fifteen all together. It's worth a shot

[Jason R.]

Well that sounds good- Im in little rock now and were getting a new BP soon. I already bought a $30 Mitchell that is working just fine so no hurry I guess.

[tjulianc]

I've been using Pflueger President 6900 series spinning reels since last December and so far so good. They have been on long canoe trips, wade fishing, etc. Should be some labor day sales coming up and you probably could pick one up for 50 bucks or so.

I'm sure you could find somebody to fix the Sahara if you can't. I used this guy to work on an old Curado, and he did an excellent job.

Yes, it will cost shipping and a fee for the repair, but I'd send it to him before sending it back to Shimano, but you could at least shoot him an email, see what he says.

http://www.proreelse...m/Services.html

[Gavin]

You will be waiting weeks for a repair...My Abu Soron and Plueger President have been trouble free...and they get used hard..get wet...tossed in the canoe, exposed to sand, mud......used in freezing temperatures. Shimano's might be fine for bass boat use...if maintained...kept dry...but they dont work for me. Dont sink more money into a dog of a river fishing reel. They are great out of the box, but the tolerances must be too tight to put up with river use.

[Al Agnew]

Gavin is right...this binding problem has been going on for many years with Shimano spinning reels. Some people have never had a problem with any of their Shimanos, some have problems with one or another particular model, and some, like me, have had problems with nearly every one we've owned. So it apparently doesn't happen with every one of the reels they produce, but it's an intermittent problem pretty much across the board on their spinning reels. So after being burned three times in four reels (only the first one I ever owned DIDN'T bind), I finally got the message and will not buy another Shimano spinning reel (even though I still like their baitcast reels just fine). There are too many other good spinning reels out there that don't have the problem.

[UnCivE]

Why don't you email Kevin at proreelservice.com and ask him if he knows anything about those Shimanos? I've got a reel with him right now, and he seems to really know what he's talking about.