Abu Ambassadeur 5500C fishing reel problem diagnosis and repair

[@petemoss9693]

Hi Dennis - so many small moving parts in this reel - good call of finding a missing drag washer - great job !

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Pete - this one was a challenge - Dennis

[@doorman13k]

Thanks for the insight Dennis. Been watchin for 4+ years now and they have help greatly for this part time reel repair shop. It's a retirement venture to keep me busy and a few nickels. You have helped me out many a time and I thank you. Once you get to understanding the functions, repairs become easy...but parts can be a long time coming, especially in Canada!!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad to help. My part time retirement project has grown. Enjoy your "hobby". I assume you use Mikesreelrepair for parts in Canada. I have found that they have good stocks and are responsive when I cannot find parts here in the states. best wishes - Dennis

[@FanOfLiberty1776]

Nice reel. Good work with the diagnosis and service. I had no doubt in your abilities. ~John

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks

[@cjmoundalexis2567]

Hi Dennis, Well done on finding the washer solutions on this very, very thorough servicing ! Looks like the micro pliers came in "reel handy", too... Many Thanks for your Efforts, Cons

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You bet Cons. I guess you never know what you will find when you open one up. I had a few ideas, but I didn't think it involved mis-installed parts. Best wishes, as always - Denis

[@christopherjenkins2373]

Nicely done Dennis! PS. I got an assortment of e and c clips a long time ago.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Can't live without them!

[@tad3716]

Very helpful tutorial. Have a nice weekend Dennis! Tad

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you - Enjoy your weekend!

[@davidmcilveen5013]

Thank you Dennis,have a similar reel,and this has been a great help. 🎣

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad to have helped - Dennis

[@edsmith736]

Good refresher coarse Dennis. Thanks . Ed

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You bet. Glad you enjoyed the video - Dennis

[@timthompson3958]

I have an old ambassadeur 5500KC3. The retrieve is slipping. When it slips i can turn it on the left side and it works. Turn it on the right side and the handle freewheels. Any ideas? I love your videos and you have helped me a lot. Thank you Capt. Tim

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That sounds a little odd, so I will go with an odd guess. You may have a broken bearing on the spool or case. If the bearing were broken, that would cause side to side slack and the issue you are describing would occur. That also assumes that the spool tensioner cap is tight -= Dennis

[@forresthaag2842]

Hello Dennis and thanks for your knoledge base on real reel maintnenace and repair. I have had a ABU 5000 for years and suddenly it stopped taking up line when cranking. My diassembly was seemingly nonproblematiic but after a decent cleaning and regrease the problem persists. I bought a fully working identical reel to isassembly and compare one with the other. Low and behold I could bot determine the difference between the two innards of the reels. Not only that upon reassemble, the second reel now does not take up line as it did when I recieved it. Any thoughts? Cheers'

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Hmmm - whatever you are doing wrong, you are consistent in doing it! My first thought is that the spool is not engaging and that could be that you have the pinion gear in backwards. The slot on the pinion gear faces the back of the reel. A second thought is that the yoke in backwards and that the free spool trip is preventing it from engaging the spool. Can you send a picture of the inside of the reel gearing to my email - [e-mail]? I will try to "see" if there is something obvious. - Dennis

[@nfgassmann8518]

I have a few (perhaps 12 or so, various flavors and ages) ABU Ambassadeurs. One of them has the tension spring attached to the main gear like this one. Some time ago I took it apart and it needed a drag washer. My problem is that I don't remember which one it was. Can I identify a specific model (5000c, 5500c3, 5000c3, etc.) without opening up each one? Follow-up question, do you have the part number handy for the drag washer?

[@nfgassmann8518]

I found and opened it up. It's slightly different, 5000c, older. I'll send a photo to your email. Thank you so much!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Happy to have helped

[@iCrocodile]

Hello. Mb you know components of Penn grease (blue)? I cannot find it in Google, like a secret, lol. It become solid when temperature below -5 degree 😩 some kind of cheap mineral grease

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I don't know how or what it is made of. Even if they listed the chemical makeup, I would not understand it - Thanks for asking. It does get thick in colder temperatures

[@John-pg5ve]

Where can I find the springs? Took mina apart and only 1 spring. It wouldn't stay locked, just freewheel

[@2ndChanceTackle]

ereplacementparts.com or southwesternparts.com have most parts for these reels - Dennis

[@soapyderby3747]

I have one of these!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

They are nice reels! Enjoy yours! - Dennis

[@arthurcastrillo9847]

I emailed you to see if u could possibly fix my abu ambassadeur 5500c reel?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes I can - I replied - thanks for asking - Dennis