Abu Ambassadeur 5600 C4 fishing rel how to tke apart and service

Watch as I take apart and service a modern ABU Garcia Ambassadeur C$ with a sticking free spool release. I use a step by step process and fully disassembly to gear side mechanism.
I have been servicing fishing reels for over 20 years and am sharing my experiences here. If you enjoy the video, please like it and subscribe to see more.
Questions? Comments? I reply to all.
Thank you for watching - Dennis
email [e-mail]
www.2ndchancetackle.com
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[@rosaliewilliams4628]

Best most easy to follow video I have found. I got mine apart and my parts got moved so I was lost. Got a few rods and reels from my neighbor so I have a couple more to do and they’re all different

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped. Thanks for the note and for watching - Dennis

[@quinthiggins5975]

Dennis thanks for all you do. I knew it was important for you to hear that as I had a red SX ambassador 6600 just like one you had bought and then I watched how you repaired it. I was having great difficulty with one as well and realized it was from China. After I had had it for a only a year. I’m not downing China but quality is important when you have big fish on. I remember you saying in the video with the red 6600 SX ambassador that you were going to sell the reel because it just wasn’t for you. Which I can see why after I had repaired as well on the same exact Thumb bar problem. You have helped me many times with Penn senators 4.0 though video and it’s a great pleasure to see all that you do. Spinning ,Conventional ,older reels and new . Your style of working on a reel is great . You do all the important things and never baby the reels while working on it . After all reels should work for you . Thank you for your service to all of us in these times.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement Quint. I'm glad I was able to help you with your reels. THat's why I started and continue to do these videos. Best wishes - Dennis

[@Antipropaganda71]

very informative ,thank you Denis . happy hollidays .

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes - same to you. Please take time to enjoy the holidays amid these crazy times - Dennis

[@mikemcelveen2973]

Funny ,just finished servicing my 5600 c4s a few minutes ago. The axle clip in the bearing cap broke on two of them. Got replacement parts at Ereplacement parts fairly inexpensive. I was a member in a local FLW sponsored Bass fishing club a few years back and I only used the Ambassadeurs in the tournaments. Best reels ever in my opinion for that type of fishing. As always thanks Dennis!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome Mike - I rate these reels very highly and enjoy fishing from the bay shore or inshore ocean with them. They have stood test of time.

[@DrFrankensteam]

I’ve been waiting for this video, as I own one of these reels, Ambassadeur reels are my favorite! The Swiss made ones are easy to distinguish as they have all metal line guides. The Chinese ones are plastic, and not worth buying in my opinion. Excellent work cleaning it up!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I have a bias for the Swedish ones too. Glad to hear that it helped - Dennis

[@DrFrankensteam]

@@2ndChanceTackle I also have 2 vintage Langley reels, one of them is incredible! Casts forever! The other is new/old stock that isn’t broken in yet so it needs a little using. If your not familiar with Langley you should look into it. Lots of fishing history in them.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I am familiar with them and I own a few myself. I did a brief history of the company in a video a while back. You can watch it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4OkimCOqaxrmc0 thank you Dennis

[@clydecrashcup9202]

I bought 3 of these reels around 15 years ago. 2 of them are brand new, still in their boxes. The one I use for salmon fishing refuses to break down. Just a classic, durable, reliable piece of machinery. Thanks for the video, though. If the reel ever needs repair, I'll have a map to follow.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. Thank you for watching and for the comment - Dennis

[@chesterspradlin6743]

Another helpful video for Abu baitcasters. Dennis, at 13:19 l do one more step. The plastic cog on the back end of the spool pops off and l oil the bearing inside, then reinsirt the cog.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Chester - good to note. Always trying to improve my videos. I will add that to my next one - Best wishes - Dennis

[@larryoliver9915]

Don't know how u do it nice video thanks again 👍

[@2ndChanceTackle]

No tricks. You can do it too! Patience and a sense of humor go a long way. I like to think that the designers tried to make it easy for the folks that put these together on the assembly line and that there has to be an easy way to take something apart. It it seems to difficult, I am probably doing something wrong! Dennis

[@nancihelfrich5813]

thank you soo much for teaching me to clean and lube my own reals. I have been looing everywhere for one of your videos on Ambassadeur 5601C4. Because it is a lefty and most of mine are righty, i am having difficulty with getting it together correctly. I cannot get it to free spool. Not sure what i did backwards. Again thanks soo much for all your helps. You are awesome.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Not sure what you are doing incorrectly. Here is a video on the 6601, It is a lefty and may help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKndaoSgj5mSgc0 Dennis

[@MrOnegesius]

Good video but with 2 errors. On the back of the spool, under the white plastic cog, is another bearing which can be oiled. and 2, the reel comes from the factory with carbon washers installed. Also, don't over tighten the handle nut, you can easily strip the thread. If it requires moving to align the locking washer, it can be loosened off rather than over tightening the nut if necessary.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you

[@email16v]

Sir. There is another bearing under on the other side of the spool underneath the gear. Then there is another gear on the worm gear. Both would like a drop of oil too. 🙂

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the note - Yes there are. I have a 5601 C4 that I will be doing soon. I will make sure to point that out - Dennis

[@bsdgffishtuna5186]

Hi Dennis. I have an m5600c abu. I like it. but..... anyway to convert that reel which is Non-Synchronized to Synchronized? I drift a lot in rivers and would be nice to get that guide line moving on the drift down....thx

[@Metaldoodd]

After taking it apart , and fitting back together how it did , I’m finding now the main brass gear is failing to engage the middle brass gear with the flared end. I am at a loss at what I should do to fix this , or what is causing it.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Hmm - did you install the smaller (pinion) gear correctly? The cone or flared portion of the gear faces the spool. The slots grab the cross bars of the spool in order to turn it. The side with the gear teeth face the main gear and enable the main to turn the reel - Dennis

[@jamesstuarttolford1978]

I need help with an AMBSx-5600. Took it apart somehow I missed the lined up on the washers for the drag. Please, help. Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Here is a link to the Abu schematics page. Once you find your model, the schematic will show which drag set up you have. There are several variations. www.abugarcia.com/pages/abugarcia-reel-schematics. If you are still stuck, send a note to my email [e-mail] along with your main gear and drag pieces - Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@daveholte7658]

Thanks for this video I have the same reels Love them But I want those type single handles? To replace the Double Paddle I need new nuts and X clips that hold handle on I assume they are Left Handed ? Let me know where and if I can order parts Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You need o check the schematics and order the parts by number. I don't recall if there is a reverse thread on the handle nuts for their left hand versions - Dennis

[@daveholte7658]

@@2ndChanceTackle I watched you video again So well done I did find my parts per a schematic at Pure Fishing Parts are expensive but the reel is great quality and have never done anything with it and all my stuff is well taken care of Good time to clean as well As stated these are left handed reels and the nuts at handle are left handed My issue is I wanted to install a power single handle and when I removed the handle, I went the wrong way with my 10mm socket and stripped the nut as well as the gear shaft. My fault I did get a handle for it and when I reinstalled everything the nut and shaft will not get tight So I will need to replace nut and gear shaft to make it new. Per your video it explained it well Thanks so much Great work

[@jackdonna94]

I have a silver 4600 C3. Will it be the same as this one to take apart? Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Similar, but not the same

[@jerrythompson9111]

Do you have a video for the ABU Sweden 5600c high speed ???

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I don't. I will add this to my request list. Most internals of the same era are shared. Some of my other videos will help.

[@henryschmidt636]

The carbon drag washers are Abu proprietary washers. They went to a carbon type when this latest rendition of Ambassadeur was brought out. I imagine they are Penn's HT100 since both companies are owned by the same conglomerate. Not to critique you but...... since dirt/salt got in at the thumb bars right slot, it's safe to assume it did on the left slot too. Why didn't you remove and clean the left sideplate?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Henry - Thank you for the comment and critique. I am always striving to improve my videos and noting things I have not done will help me do it better the next time. Abu certainly has had a storied history. I have been doing a series on fishing reel manufacturers and will be doing one on them in the future. My next one planned is for the Ocean City manufacturing company - Please stay watching and stay well - Dennis

[@natebutron4700]

Hello my name is Anthony and I have the ambassador c4 elite. My problem is the spool only turns when the drag is at max and it’s very hard to turn and feels lol a gear is skipping but I took it apart step by step and cannot find the problem the spool itself doesn’t spin in free spool even after I press the thumb button. Can you please help

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Have you adjusted the spool tensioner on the gear side behind the star adjuster? Are you sure that the spool brakes are inside the brake ring and not trapped on the ring? Is line trapped between the spool and the side plate? Any of those items could cause. the issues you are experiencing - Dennis

[@jimmywilson1388]

I’ve got a question for you… I used this video to help me with my C4 and it works great sometimes and sometimes it doesn’t… So anyway sometimes the spool doesn’t spin freely and I can back the spool tensioner off and wiggle the spool from side to side with my finger and it spins great but other times it will be tight and doesn’t want to spin… I can’t figure out what’s going on with it. It’s like it gets stuck and I have to wiggle the spool from side to side to make it spin freely again and no I’m not over tightening the spool tensioner. Also I can feel the gears when I reel it. I’m pretty sure it didn’t do that when I bought it new. But I can’t exactly remember… The big plastic gear in the end cap does have some play in it… could that be what I’m feeling when I reel it? I think I’m gonna buy the gear with the bearing and replace that one. Also it’s a left handed reel I’m sure that doesn’t really make a difference but I don’t know… It’s a 5601 C4. The only thing I didn’t do was remove the plastic piece and the two metal pieces from the inside of the reel side. I just put a little oil on it… Could that be what’s causing it? It’s the thing you said would raise or lower that gear to engage or disengage the spool.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It sounds like it may be the bearing or the brake pads on the spool. I would check those first. I don't think it is in the gears. Maybe broken line or an mis-install of a part. Follow the schematic attached to the link below to check and make sure each part is in its' place. s7d5.scene7.com/is/content/purefishing/Abu%20Garcia/Schematics/5601C4%2015%2001%201115464_12466-4.pdf. Dennis

[@jimmywilson1388]

@@2ndChanceTackle Ok thank you so much. I’m gonna take it apart again in a little bit. I really cleaned everything good. First I used a solvent that came with a reel cleaning kit and then I cleaned everything with dawn dish washing liquid and water… I mean I really worked hard on it. Everything was really nice and clean when I put it back together… I hope I can get it working good again. Thank you for your help.

[@paulowens8972]

When I tighten the drag it is harder to crank? Why? It is an old "Ultra Cast 5500"

[@2ndChanceTackle]

It sounds like there is something wrong inside the reel. It could be either broken line, a broken part or something that is mis-installed or out of sequence. That is not normal - Dennis

[@robertsteele8838]

I’ve got a 5600 that the real seat has broken off what’s the easiest way to repair this the real is in good shape other than the seat?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

If expos doesn't hold it, try finding someone who can weld it. If you can't, then replacing the frame is the only option - Dennis

[@robertsteele8838]

Thank you

[@sdufg]

is the thumb bar a sep part from the frame or do you have to get a whole new frame if you somehow get a 5600c4 with a missing thumb bar? ugh.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

THe 5600 C4 thumb bar is part of the frame. Best to find a donor reel if you need that

[@sdufg]

thank you..@@2ndChanceTackle

[@golforfishing]

I was hoping you would touch on the ball bearings. I only have 3 in my C4 5600, the website says "4 ball bearings plus 1 roller bearing". A couple of differences between my C4 and yours in this video is that I have a gold colored star drag and handle, and on the side it doesn't have the "6.3:1" printed on the side. But mine does say "made in Sweden" like yours. Do you know anything about this missing 4th ball bearing? I only have the 2 on the spool and 1 on the worm gear.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I am thinking that the 4th would be in the handle knob

[@golforfishing]

@@2ndChanceTackle No because the original handle has 2 knobs, so the math doesn't work (Abu would advertise as 5 total).

[@golforfishing]

@@2ndChanceTackle Oh I just had an ah ha moment... Do u think this mysterious 4th ball bearing is the roller bearing sleeve? I believe the technical term is IAR clutch bearing. You know, the cylinder sleeve that fits into the roller bearing

[@2ndChanceTackle]

No, not the sleeve. If you can get the schematic with the parts listing, you will be able to trace them bearings and location - Sorry - Dennis

[@peteranddorothybowles5428]

I've several red 9000 and some 12 s ABU and the anti-reverse dogs are not too good at all Is there any tips on pinching anymore life into them

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The pinch is to guide the tips closer. They do not need to touch, but the gap must narrower than the click ring that it rides on. I like to remove the dog from the reel and pit the ends of the fork on a flat surface then tap the ends with a small hammer to draw them closer together. I use the flat end of a small anvil for that.

[@peteranddorothybowles5428]

@@2ndChanceTackle Cheers for that I've a few that are really slipping a lot and being so hard to find is a pain so cheers for the tip Pete

[@peteranddorothybowles5428]

@@2ndChanceTackle cheers mate ive about 4 red nines 12 s and 8500 that isn't catching Locking like All have been cleaned etc Ill check what your saying There old eh Thanks mate After some spares but bit hit and miss finding them

[@surfcat2051]

Why did you oil the IAR clutch?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Good question. They should not be oiled - Dennis

[@rexwright2386]

I have a abu c3 that needs fix the line is lock up

[@2ndChanceTackle]

If you would like service and repair information, please send a note to my email [e-mail]. If you need a tip to help you DIY, I need more detail - Dennis

[@sdufg]

why didnt you take apart the line guide?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Not sure. I will go back and relook at the video. -It should be service. Thanks

[@sdufg]

@@2ndChanceTackle thanks. By the way I'm not sure if it was you - but i saw a video where you could hack the original abu bearings by removing the little shield and dunk in lighter fluid to clean..and then some oil...it improved the stock bearings tremendously...do you have this video? your thoughts? thanks!!

[@richardjames4289]

You didn't completely service it / take ot all apart I needed to see the clicker installation

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You don't need to take the click assembly off when servicing a reel. That is why I did not show it. If I can find a C4 I will see if I can do that video for you - Dennis

[@otroflores91]

Shows how a little grime can effect how your reel functions.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Dirt is the absolute enemy of reels. That is why I recommend that these be cleaned annually - Dennis

[@daveholte7658]

Hello I have 2 of these reels Left Handed Love them 5601 C4 Reel Seat # 09011318 I am trying to install the single paddle handle as you show Great video I also should get the nuts that hold handle on and w clips Can I order from you? Or do you do maintenance and can replace the handles? I don’t like Double Pad Handles with fishing I do Thanks for a great video Can I order parts

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Dave - I am not a parts supplier. You can get the Abu parts from Southwesternparts.com or ereplacementparts.com If you have the parts, I can service the reel and install the new pieces as part of the service - for more information, please send a note to my email [e-mail] - Thank you - Dennis

[@daveholte7658]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thanks Dennis. Maybe that is the way to go If I can get the parts Great videos

[@daveholte7658]

Thanks Dennis for the video Got my parts in 7 days for my Left Hand 500 C4 and tried my luck I had to replace the drive shaft and chrome nut. Reason is I tried to take apart and found out everything is opposite. Believe it is opposite as this video? Watched and stopped your video numerous time. So helpful All works well but ......when I tighten down the screws the 2 Phillips and the 3 other screws on the cover,,,, the reel seems to work tighter and not as smooth? Maybe I forgot something? I know it is hard to tell from what I am describing. Wat grease do you recommend? Thanks for all your great work in the fishing reel world.