Abu Ambassadeur 5500 C3 fishing reel how to take apart and service

[@deucemoose7852]

Well I've been watching your videos for about 6 months now, but have only now really gotten a space to do proper reel cleaning and decided to start with the first fishing reel I bought for myself. Thanks for making all these videos, and this one in particular. It was a great help in figuring out what the heck I'm supposed to do haha.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the note and for watching. I'm glad you are using these to increase your knowledge of reel repair and to start servicing reels. Best wishes for continued success - Dennis

[@nfgassmann8518]

I have a couple of these reels. Perhaps more as I inherited a box of reels from my dad. Your video is golden. Thank you for giving me the confidence to attempt servicing them myself.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad I could help - You can do it! Dennis

[@mikemcelveen2973]

Love these reels. I Bass fish and these are the only reels I use. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. These are one of the best in my book too. Stay safe and stay fishing - Dennis

[@mkultra467]

I inherited a ~25 year old version of this reel, looks identical to this one inside & out (I've seen videos with newer ones that have a completely different braking system?). It has also never been used in the water, only messing around in the backyard. Anyways, I took it apart while watching this video and was unable to get it back together with the little white brake pads on. No matter how hard I tried to push them back in, the sideplate refused to sit flush. I'm having trouble finding replacements online, as I believe the ones I pulled out are damaged from improper assembly (as you described) I only plan on using this reel for a trolling setup, and have read that the brake pads aren't necessary as long as the person casting has good thumb control. Hoping to get confirmation of this, as this is my first baitcaster ever and I'm still learning how to even use the thing. Thanks!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are correct. The reel can be used without the brake pads. These are a convenience to help slow the spool and reduce or eliminate backlash. That's something a good thumb can do as well - Dennis

[@DrFrankensteam]

Another beautiful Ambassadeur reel, another excellent job by you fixing it.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

thank you and Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@dyrnn8009]

Thanks just made my Day

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad to have helped - Dennis

[@rbiel100]

You said you would do this one and you did! Thank you so very much. Be safe

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching. I hope you enjoyed it. Best wishes - Dennis

[@SvenneAnton]

Great video Dennis. You can never do to many Ambassadeur tutorials:) Greetings from sweden

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I would think your local KZbin would have all the tutorials and more on the Ambassadeurs! Great reels - Thanks - Dennis

[@TheMrpalid]

Im confused. I’m right handed and spinning reels usually have the handle on the left so I can have more torque pulling the rod in my right. With baitcasters I see right handed people like yourself reel with the right hand and hold rod with their left. Which baitcaster should I buy if I’m right-handed?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That is correct. The general rule of comfort is that a right handed person will turn reels mounted under the pole with their left hand and reels mounted on top of the pole with their right. The opposite is true for left handed folks. It has to do with the strength needed to control the pole when fighting the fish and the dominant hand has more strength - Dennis

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

I have two of these reels, I love these reels. Awesome reels for bass or catfish.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

These are solid reels that have been around a long time. I like these as well - Thanks for watching - Dennis

[@deovindice1799]

Great instructional video! I have two questions though. I have a really old 5500c and instead of the "clip" you mention at about 2:45, I have a brass or copper disk with a nipple. The disk fell out before I could notice which way the nipple was facing and it seems to work either way. I'm hoping that you can tell me the correct way to install the disk so that I don't damage the spool. My second question, my 5500c has a nob on the left side with numbers around it. On a modern bait caster this would be the brake, but it seems to be the tension knob on this old reel. Can you clarify that this is in fact the tension knob? The knob on the right seems tightens down and seems to serve no other purpose than to provide access to the copper/brass disk I mentioned above. Thanks for any help you can provide!

[@alexlongoria3893]

Dennis, I had to go to the way back machine and search your archived reel repair. I just pickup a 5501 C3 (left hand reel). I like to cast with my right arm, but I always have to switch because most reel are right hand retrieve. I am right handed, However, using a left hand to retrieve seems a better fit for me. Question for you is has this flip-flopping hands ever been an issue with you customers where they totally go get a new reel. My brother is left handed, casts with right arm, retrieves with right handed reel. I have always casted right handed retrieved left hand. Most spinning reels setup this way, or at least seem this way. I see a left retrieve reel bait caster, I buy it just because. I took you advise on getting a smaller spooled Ambassadeur to fish the Bayou here in Houston. Still looking for a nice rod 5 to 5 1/2 ft. Most rods have been medium to m heavy in the stiffness trade-off might be to go to a little longer rod. Of course I am looking for a used rod. I could by new , but I do that is out of the question as I not paying new prices for China *&@*&$&*@^. or have a custom rod made. Any comment or observations. Respectfully, Fan of Your Channel for Texas

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Alex - you and I have the same preference. I like to use bait casters that are cranked with my left hand as it avoids having to move the rod from one arm to the other after the cast. Most folks don't mind and the norm seems to be that right hand folks will cast and retrieve with their right hand. That applies to all reels mounted from above. Right hand folks use their left hand to crank when the reels are mounted below, like a spinning reel. This has to do with arm strength. When the reel is above, you need the strength to crank when the left arm guides the rod. When the reel is below, you need your right arm to lift the rod. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@benw6554]

Help! Thanks for a great video! I thought I followed it perfectly until i reassembled and the lever would not pop back up. The gears are spinning but not turning spool or worm gear...what should I check first? Also will abu garcia reel lube be ok for gears...its consistency is like grease ,not oil. Many thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Check how you reinstalled the yoke springs. That may be preventing it from engaging if they are not installed properly. Also make sure that the spool brakes are pulled in and not jammed on the race when reinstalling the side plate - They those first - Dennis

[@benw6554]

Thanks, I will try that and report back. I was wondering if it had something to do with the clutch arm and how that was positioned when I installed....but I will try your suggestions-thx

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It is hard to say without seeing the reel, so check the clutch are against the reel schematic to make sure you have it right - Dennis

[@benw6554]

@2ndChanceTackle update, sorry to keep bothering you but I checked the configuration against another exact reel and it's installed exactly the same. The mechanism works just fine until I put the 2 screws back on to close the gear housing. I wonder if I try to replace the position holder part that has the spring in it? Do those normally cause issues? Or would you try a pinion yoke? Appreciate all the help!!

[@denofearthundertheeverlast5138]

So Dennis, I have a new version C3 5500 and I could not get the drive side plate to separate from the mounting plate that all the internals are mounted on after removing two phillips heads screws that holds the two plates together, Also I did not remove the float cap and take off the black circular snap ring that snaps on/off the spool shaft,....Is that why I couldn't get them to come apart?? After I remove that will everything separate normally? Thank you.

[@denofearthundertheeverlast5138]

I got it, that was the problem alright.

[@tomm5827]

Very nice tutorial on how to rebuild these Ambassadeur reels. I found it very helpful. Thank you for posting it. One question, my 5501 circa 1996 has a small extension spring between the trip lever and a post on the end plate. I noticed that the one you rebuilt did not have this spring. Did they do away with these in later years?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

There are several different designs along the way and the reels internals changed even through they looked the same externally - Dennis

[@matthewdugan5757]

Thanks for the great instructional video Dennis. What oil and grease do you recommend?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I use the Penn Precision oils and greases, but any fishing reel oil and grease offered by a reel manufacturer will be fine - Dennis

[@davidmcilveen5013]

What is the difference between the likes of the 5500,5501,6500,7000 e.t.c. I appreciate that the 5000 is smaller than say the 6500.....but the ....01/500 e.t.c is making me confused. Please keep them coming Dennis.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Odd numbers are usually left hand drive and even numbers are right hand size. 50-60-70 are usually spool widths with 50 being more narrow to 70 the widest - Just some general info. There are lots of other variations in the models, but that is the basics - Dennis

[@BradM766]

Where can I purchase the grey thumb test that says Ambassadeur that partially covers the line? I have lost mine

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Start with the Abu service center. You can contact them here Abu Garcia Factory Service Center 3028 West Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19132 [phone]

[@cliffordbryant9658]

Do you have a video on the 6500 C 3

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I have a video on the 6501 C3 which is the left hand crank version. Internally, they are the same design and you can use the video to service the mirror image 6500. You can watch it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ml6maX6EYsR4nck Dennis

[@Rum_barrel]

What could be a possible reason that the handle-side plate isn’t seating flush with the spool after reassembling it?

[@Rum_barrel]

Thinking I must’ve made an error in how I reassembled it, but I’m missing it if so. This was a “junked” reel that I snatched from the trash. Besides it having a superbraid bird’s nest of epic proportions and obvious neglect, I was able to clean it up pretty nicely. Without the spool it seats up flush. With it, it’s about 1/8” proud.

[@Rum_barrel]

Never mind, I found it. One of the brakes not going in far enough and was getting in the way. Thanks for these videos Dennis. They get me thinking in the right way. Much appreciated.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Check to see if you can loosen the spool adjuster first. Also, the spool brakes sometimes jam one the race and not inside. Make sure the brakes are pushed in towards the spool shaft before you try the reassembly. other causes include line being trapped between the spool and side plate if you have line on the spool and the spool not being seated properly before you are trying to put the case on - Dennnis

[@NasalObstruction]

Where did you get the new brakes?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Abu parts are available through ereplacementparts.com Make sure you put your model, like Abu 5600 in the search bar in order to get the parts list. Dennis

[@scottstevens329]

Good morning! Could you do a piece on cleaning a Daiwa Millionaire S 250? I have not found any Keep up the good work Thanks in advance Scott

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Scott - I don't have one of those in my shop. I will add it to my requested videos list and try to do one for you if/when I get one in. Thank you for asking - Dennis

[@Rando-h9d]

Could you do a repair on a line counter reel? Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I don't see many LC reels, but I will add to my list of requests. These reels don't do well in saltwater as the salt jams those parts and the plastic gearing wears or breaks off. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@lostcat9lives322]

Warning, the nut that holds the handle on (as is the handle), has a left-handed thread on left-handed models. Found this out the hard way. Additionally, my reel had more retaining shims than did this reel.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

yes - fair warning! Those shims control drag adjuster tension and may have been added or removed based on the preference Dennis

[@congrant8113]

Great video. Do ultra cast Ambassadors work the same way. I have change drags, tried them in other reels add thicker drags with no positive action. It will not tighten down. Thank you so much

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Most Ambassadeurs work the same way. If you are having issues, recheck. The fabric washers alternate with the metals, starting with the fabric one. Make sure the earned washer is in he middle and that it is in the slots. Dennis

[@congrant8113]

Thanks. I have done that NUMEROUS times. I ordered smoothies last night. I was never a fan of Ultra Cast reels. You can tighten drag all the way and the spool will reel in line but you can pull out line from the spool like there are NO drags in the reel. I’m going to try the smoothies then take a look at the pinion. Thanks again. I enjoy your videos.

[@peterlepore2726]

what is a reel like that worth in nice condition

[@2ndChanceTackle]

These reels sell regularly in a range of $50-75 based on condition. A very nice one may approach $100 in mint condition - Dennis

[@Fisherman_83]

Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

YW - Dennis

[@brett7794]

You're camera should really bbe In front of you so we can see what's happening but thanks for the info

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the suggestion. I work on a narrow bench and the camera angle I have is a compromise where I try to show as best I can in the field of view.