Reel Repair Question- Shimano Sahara Seizing Up.

[fishinSWMO]

I have a small ultra light plueger trion that will bind to a stop when wet. Works great dry. Find a model that won't give you any trouble and stick with it.

[Greasy B]

This also happened to every Shimano spinning reel I ever owned. I gave my last one away and will never buy another. This information should be all over the Internet. A can't imagine anyone doing a modicum of research not knowing it.

[Jason R.]

I am going to mail this one back to Shimano because I wrote some truth on their Facebook wall and they told me to send it in. I will not be buying another one and this one was a gift- I always research my fishing purchases (maybe obsessively). The little mitchell on that rod now is doing great. No reason to get a new one. What is the point in all the bearings and fancy junk if the reel cannot stand up to normal use? Fishing equipment should not be delicate.

[MOPanfisher]

I thought I was the only one who had that problem with Shimanos. The only Shimano I've owned that didn't happen to was a Stradic, every one cheaper went the same way. Now mostly Pfleugers with a couple Cardinals and no more problems.

[Al Agnew]

I had it happen to a Stradic and a Sahara.

[fishinwrench]

Has anyone taken the initiative to tear one down and learn what is causing them to seize up?

I'm not a Shimano guy but I'll take a few SWAG's....

Spool shaft level-wind hydraulic lock?

(drill a tiny vent hole so it can push the moisture out).

One way bearing hanging up or skidding?

(squeeze it just a bit so that the cage is not perfectly round, or pry out just one of the needles)

You should be able to remove the head/bail assembly and substitute a washer or something similar in its place to determine if the binding is in the drive, or the driven mechanism.

[Al Agnew]

Yes, plenty of people have torn into them. I've participated in internet discussions in the past where a whole lot of people who were knowledgeable about reel repair tried to figure out exactly what causes it, but I don't remember what conclusions they came up with...as I remember, something about one of the nylon bushings or something. But as I also remember, nobody had ever come up with a permanent way of fixing the problem, obviously including Shimano, since this has been an ongoing problem for a long, long time.

I can understand trying to find a fix for the problem if you own a $100 plus reel already. But my advice is...don't buy Shimano spinning reels. You MIGHT be one of the lucky people who never have a problem with their Shimano, but there are other reels out there that are just as good otherwise and don't have the Shimano problem.

[Jason R.]

If they do fix this reel, I may just sell it and buy something else. The thing is super smooth when it is working, I have to admit that.

[BredMan]

Guess I am lucky because none of my 6 Shimano spinning reels have acted up that way. Although I do routinely clean them and keep them lubricated with 'Abu Silicote' reel oil.

[Jason R.]

Ya, I don't want to do that. I like maintenance free equipment.