shimano BR 4500 bait runner fishing reel - how to service and replace the bearings

This video shows how to replace the main bearing on the Shimano BR 4500 and how to do a general service of this popular reel
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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[@911gbailey]

Thanks for the great info to service, fix anti-reverse, and service of bail release on my shimano 4500 baitrunner. Rod fell into surf while tending to another rod. Reel didn’t work well after sitting in surf for a minute or two. Now it’s silky smooth, ready to go again.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad it helped - Best wishes for great fishing - Dennis

[@larryoliver9915]

Way to many small parts for me glad too see u know what your doing i couldn't do it thanks for video Dennis 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@2ndChanceTackle]

This service is not for everyone! - Best wishes - Dennis

[@Antipropaganda71]

very informative , you very handy .not everybody can do it you make the repair look easy . thank you & god bless you .

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. Best wishes. Please stay safe, well and watching - Dennis

[@davidmcilveen5013]

Thanks again Dennis.... I quite often use a couple of parts trays.....good to see I'm not the only one. lol I have just started photographing the likes of that trip mechanism,even though I won't be taking it apart......just on case something "pops" before I get it reinstalled. I have one more reel to service (thanks to you, I am now ABLE to service them) and while it is a bit of a scary one...... I think I will be able to work through it. Thanks again for all your help, stay safe and please keep them coming. 🎣

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You bet David. Thanks for the note - Dennis

[@johnflynn928]

Thanks, it looks and works like new

[@leapyear9460]

Im lucky to have two of these they work awesome fishing for stripers of a jetty. Thx for the video my secondary drag dial is loose this gives me the confidence to pop the plate off to inspect.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Great to hear! You can do it. This reel's bait runner system is well designed and less intimidating that others. Good Luck! Dennis

[@paularmfield4700]

Another great session. Thanks Dennis

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are very welcome. Thanks for the note and for watching Paul - Dennis

[@shamus967]

Hey Dennis it looks like it is time for some of that KROIL to let it creep into the screw threads on the spool. I use that "magic" penetrating oil when screws or gears are frozen solid.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

There is always time for the Kroil! I've been using it a lot lately. Some really crusty stuff the past few weeks. Thanks Dennis

[@cjmoundalexis2567]

Hi Dennis, An interesting reel with lots of twists and turns !! Unfortunate about the replacement bearings, but good job none the less using what you had available. Will try to be in touch about the 3.0 and 309 parts grapefruit/lemon availability by email on Sun.. Don't want to call because I know you've been very, very busy w projects. Continued Best Wishes and health to you and yours, Cons

[@2ndChanceTackle]

OK. I am usually pretty good with auto correct, by that one has me! Best wishes Cons - Dennis

[@johnflynn928]

Hi, I just picked up a 4500. Where can I find the other service parts. I found the bearings. Really enjoyed your video.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are going to have a hard time finding parts for this reel due to age and popularity. The distributors are largely out of the parts, but you can try Southwesternparts.com to see if they have what you need. Another source for used parts would be eBay, but t is hit or miss there, unless you are trying to find bearings or drag washers, your search for parts will be harder than the average reel. Dennis

[@shermanou1337]

Nice video and it is present to see how all these little components working inside this reel. I can tell its main shaft is supported by both front and the back on the case of the reel, will that hold the reel better under heavy load, let’s say fighting a bull shark. Base on your experience and all the reels that come across, these live runner, bait runner or whatever they call these reels are stronger than their regular versions? I am looking to buy one, wonder regular or bait runner version will be better.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I prefer the non-bait-runner models as there are fewer moving parts that can go bad under stress.

[@MindCatcherFishing]

on my drennan fd3000 front drag the bail arm wouldnt close when reeling in all time so i watched video on it bent the bail arm and its now lined up , but the bearing fell out and i dont know which way it goes in , its a closed bearing with the black ring running round the face of one side , which way does the black ring face go the screw side or the bail arm side , your info would be appriciated cos isnt the line roller ment to spin on the bail arm when properly together ?? please help

[@alanwilson1365]

Hi, Thanks for the detail video! I need a main gear, for a 4500B, the bottom gear that drives the oscillator is stripped. Can you recommend where to buy? Thanks again!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That looks like it will be hard to find. I did a quick check of Mikesreelrepair.com and Southwesternparts.com and both show it is no longer available. Ebay had a few parts for the reel, but not the main gear. I think you will probably need to find a donor reel to get a replacement gear. - Good luck in your hunt - Dennis

[@florentg7469]

very good.... comment changer les disque de friction du systeme de debrayahe des shimano baitrunner aero gte 8000b..??

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Je n'ai pas cette bobine dans ma boutique. Les rondelles de traînée sont situées en haut et en bas. Quels disques souhaitez-vous remplacer ?

[@christofm.4501]

Hi! I have a question. When I switch it to Baitrunner mode and turn the crank, it doesn´t move back to drag mode. Just followed your video and serviced it, but the problem is still there. Thanks!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Sounds like the trip mechanism is not working properly. you should recheck the set up. A sure way to tell is if it is in bait feeder mode and working, does not trip, but if you manually rest the lever, the drag mode works. - Dennis

[@craigmorgan1612]

I have an early model bait runner 4500 with the drag on the bottom of the reel and pop up spools Is this one of the models you’re referring to as bad design because it is a favourite and the bearings are getting squeaky

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I really like these reels and I think they were the best bait feeder reels made. The bearings are different on the earlier models, so make sure you order by size and not by model. Dennis

[@craigmorgan1612]

@@2ndChanceTackle OK thx for your reply i will forward to shimano to do

[@bobclouser450]

Hey Dennis..just wondering how those Fast Eddy bearings worked out..have you used them since this video in anything else? I have heard they are not the best quality.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

They seem to be OK. This is a customer's reel and they haven't brought it back yet....

[@kevinyang6256]

Hi Dennis, do you by chance would know why whenever I retrieve this particular reel there is a wobble that occur.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

THe wobble is usually the sign of a bent bail wire or an off balance rotor. Chech to make sure the rotor nut is tight and that the shape of the bail wire is in an arc and not bent out of shape - Dennis

[@christopherjenkins2373]

This reel would scare me to death! Too complicated for my feeble brain. Your luck with removing bearings continues I see. How come 2 of my Penn greenies are so impossible. I do have some PB Blaster penetrant to try but penn reels that are as old as these can be impossible - leverage or no leverage. I’m fortunate that the bearings are still smooth in them. The only part of this reel I don’t understand is the bait feeding system. I don’t understand how that mechanism actually works. Other than that the reel is fairly straightforward. I wish my problem Nitchell 386 could work out like this bait feeder. I recently got two Shimano MLZ reels and have been very pleased with them. Great video Dennis!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I will be doing a MLZ with bearing replacement soon. Stay tuned - Dennis

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@@2ndChanceTackle I’m glad that the bearings in my MLZ reels are in great shape. I think these MLZ reels are great. That’s why I bought two of them. Looking forward to the bearing video!

[@paolacantos6413]

Hello I have a shimano baitrunner 4500B but the baitrunner line is brokeni will like to know if u have the piece or if u have any idea how can I fix my reel. Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That is going to be very hard to find. The reel is an older reel and parts are no longer available except in the secondary market. Try searching eBay and other sites for your piece - Dennis

[@randyjones1311]

Hey Dennis great video I have a 4500 plus used your video to service and worked out great , only problem is the crank handle shaft is worn or the gear it goes through is worn. And it has alot of play in it . other than trying to find parts do you know of a way to get this loose motion out trying to figure out if I can shim it. Thanks again

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You could possibly add a shim washer to the center shaft of the main gear on the handle side. That could take play out if it is the gear. If your handle is loose, you could add a shim washer between the end of the handle and the sleeve. To do that you would need to remove the roll pin that holds the handle onto the shaft. You can watch how to do that here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWSzh3mLobl4q7M. Dennis

[@randyjones1311]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thanks alot I will try that.

[@justinandnova]

Hi Dennis love the videos. I am looking for the 4500 Pawl spring. Do you know where I might be able to buy one? 8 Thank You!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Try Mysticparts.com They are a Penn Parts distributor - Dennis

[@justinandnova]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thank You!

[@justinandnova]

It's a baitrunner 4500. I only see Penn parts. Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Sorry - was working on a Penn 4500 and just had a mind flip. Try Southwesterparts.com or ereplacementparts.com for the Shimano part If they are no longer available as new, you may need to check Ebay and other online sources - Dennis

[@justinandnova]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thanks Dennis

[@bobdonahue7635]

i would need a schematic for this one !!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That is the best practice and I recommend always having the schematic, or at least knowing where to find it, before you start a project. Thanks - Dennis

[@lloydcox3799]

Sir I have a shimano bait.runner 650 I’m servicing. The handle cap broke when I was trying to remove it. I can’t find a replacement for it. Do you know of a place I can order one? Also is the 650 pretty much the same as the 6500.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Lloyd - try ereplacementparts.com or Soutwesternparts.com for your Shimano cap. You may also find it on Ebay by searching for Shimano cap as a part - Dennis

[@sunshinestacking8861]

Where would I be able to order the bearings for a 4500 reel??

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You can try Smoothdrag.com or Southwesternparts.com as well as Bocabearings.com for those replacements

[@sunshinestacking8861]

@@2ndChanceTackle thanks for the info much appreciated

[@jorgeandres2067]

hello friend how are you , please i need the pinion and drive gear this reel shimano baitrunner 4500 please help me

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I'm sorry, but I do not have those parts and they are very hard to find. I think you will need to search for a used donor reel to get what you need. Best wishes - Dennis

[@jesusadame969]

Where can i shop The bearings?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

HPRbearings on Ebay is a very reliable supplier. Try them first - Dennis

[@jesusadame969]

@@2ndChanceTackle thank you

[@leahmay1011]

They any good as a reel

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Better than most!

[@leahmay1011]

@@2ndChanceTackle you like shimano than daiwa