Shimano Nasci 1000 Spinning reel bail sticking when closing.

[JDV]

I bought one of these less than 2 months ago and have fished it basically every single day.  I close the bail by hand 100% of the time and just noticed today that when closing it like I always do, it kind of sticks when around halfway closed and doesn't go to the closed position unless I use more force than before.   Is it just dirty, something bent or broken? 

I haven't ever dropped it in water or dropped it or anything like that.  I can't find much about a bail that sticks...It will close and remain closed and still works fine otherwise.   I'm a complete novice when it comes to reel parts/repair so any help is appreciated.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Bail could be getting bent a little throwing the angle of pivot off increasing friction as well as lubrication wearing off. A good service job should solve the problem.

[JDV]

Bail could be getting bent a little throwing the angle of pivot off increasing friction as well as lubrication wearing off. A good service job should solve the problem.

Is it common to happen so quickly?   Should I be opening the bail by the bail arm rather than the bail wire?

[LgMouthGambler]

2 months? Time to return it for an exchange on another one if you ask me.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Is it common to happen so quickly?   Should I be opening the bail by the bail arm rather than the bail wire?

Well, the bail wire on the Ci43000F I just overhauled is thinner than in the old days and yes is easier to bend and can be bent from laying it down too hard or bumped around. So yes it can be bent on first use.

The way you open the bail is more than likely not the issue. Water intrusion and lubrication along with bend issues may be closer to the problem. Bent bail wires cause the pivots to be out of alignment increasing friction. One drop on the boat deck can cause it.

[JDV]

Well, the bail wire on the Ci43000F I just overhauled is thinner than in the old days and yes is easier to bend and can be bent from laying it down too hard or bumped around. So yes it can be bent on first use.

The way you open the bail is more than likely not the issue. Water intrusion and lubrication along with bend issues may be closer to the problem. Bent bail wires cause the pivots to be out of alignment increasing friction. One drop on the boat deck can cause it.

So, 1st clean and lube bail arm area and if it's still happening is it best to try bending the arm slightly to see if that fixes it or just replace the bail arm?

[Pro Reel]

If you can, just simply return it under warranty or send it to shimano under warranty. Unless you have driven down a dusty road with it bouncing in the back of a truck bed or strapped to an open deck where it got dust and grit on it, then it should not be doing this, It could be a bent bail if it ever got dropped or stepped on, even just lightly, but if so you will most likely never get the right shape back. Even the best brands have occasional issues, thats what the warranty is for.

[JDV]

Thanks for the help.  My reel oil and grease comes in tomorrow, so I'll try a quick cleaning and grease first and if not, contact them about the warranty.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Here is an image of a typical line guide roller for a Shimano stradic FI. Your reel may not use as many parts as a stradic.



Once the line guide roller and bail arm is removed now you can go for the busy side of the rotor.

Take this cover plate off next and put a finger on the end of the loaded spring to keep it from popping out. Keep your finger on it and pry it up until it comes out.







Here are the pieces from the bail pivot arm... minus the clicker which someone lost years ago...





Now the rotor is ready to be cleaned and put back together, but not in the same order it came apart. I put this spring loaded arm back in first and make sure it is working correctly then put the bail back on and align the bending of the bail to line up the bail through the line guide roller which is last to put together before I put this rotor back onto the reel body.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Line guide roller assembly is last. But here is where I do my bail arm bend alignment:



Once bent real close, then assemble line guide roller and put rotor back on reel, move on to the spool, drag washers, and then done.

[FloridaFishinFool]

The completed line guide roller put back together correctly this time along with a new bearing... this reel had 4 bearings replaced, 2 on the main drive gear, one on the pinion gear, and one in the line guide roller.



I just greased the drag washers and see that the line is stacking to the front of the spool so I am adding a spool shim washer to try and level the line lay out... Now where to find an old used spool shim washer... I'll raid my boss's workbench since they are not looking...





Done. I'm outta here...

[JDV]

Wow, thanks for detailing the process.    Judging by how often I'm left with with extra screws when taking apart and putting back together just about anything, I think I might just be in over my head doing this on my own the 1st time...