Shimano Thunnus Ci4 12000 Fishing Reel - How to take apart, service and reassemble

[@TSGReelService]

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[@richardhardin3926]

Glad I rewatched. I'm Rick from Reel Quality SRQ and I've done a few older Thunnus' and Baitrunners. I did not align the gear markings with the Oscillating gear and I hear the noise. Good call sir!!

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching, Rick! Glad to hear it helped. Some you get lined up the first shot, and some are just frustrating (like this one was). Feel free to include your location and phone number for potential customers in your neck of the woods.

[@vizionsys]

Thanks very much for your video mate, you saved me money and headache when I couldn't figure out how to align those two metal parts with the spring on top of the rear drag. I have issues with the rear drag knob becoming stuck. Sent it to shimano, they returned it fixed but failed to acknowledge the real problem, which is the weak graphite body with weak edges. It happened again. There's a section where a metal part slides in between two graphite walls, its supposed to stop the metal from moving so that the rear drag knob can properly engage and turn fully. But one of the walls is broken and the metal part slips out. The rear drag still works but can't adjust tension. WARNING TO OTHERS: DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE REAR DRAG KNOB OR APPLY TOO MUCH PRESSURE, YOULL BREAK THE GRAPHITE AND WILL REQUIRE A NEW BODY CHASSIS.

[@TSGReelService]

You're welcome and thanks for watching! Glad to hear it helped. Truth be told, there's a decent chance I would have missed it like shimano did.... it's not really something I test or look for when diagnosung those reels However, I have seen that issue before on the older 6500B's. I still prefer a graphite cover over metal, though.

[@Dave30867]

i use to clean the inside of all my reels years ago with kerosene to remove all contaminated grease after taking them completely apart , i have never seen anyone on you tube do this yet but i never had any reel problems and always caught the fish .

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching. Interesting.... I've never done it either, and don't think I will. I try to use the least invasive things I can. More vids to come. Spread the word about the channel!

[@matthewmercer2477]

I found an 8K that was dropped in the ocean and took on the task of trying to restore it. Was a mistake. After boiling all the barnacles and calcium off w Vinegar it was toast inside. Cant believe Shimano charges $260 for a reel w a plastic frame and puts a pot metal oscillation gear and slider in. The dis-similar metals ate up some of the main shaft ($62). I will get a new gear and slider and see how rough it is. I would NEVER pay that kinfd of money for this reel. Great video on servicing the reel.

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks! Saltwater destroys most any metal. All the best with the restoration.

[@sharpenupmate3769]

Thank you brother ! Life saver 🙌 can now service my own reel ❤️🔥

[@TSGReelService]

You're welcome and thanks for watching! More vids to come! Spread the word about the channel.

[@thefishnmusician9667]

I have a 6000 and cleaning rotor. Does the click gear have a front and back? One side seems minutely more rounded. 2) there is a copper and a brass washer when you take off the rotor which the washers slide over the main shaft Which one goes on first when reassembling?

[@TSGReelService]

Typically, the flat side of the click faces the spool, but either position you put it on should work. The washers orientation are also not that important.... if they are both the same size, either one going first is fine. Check to make the clicker on the spool engages with the click gear after reassembly.... if it doesn't, play with the arrangement of the metal washers.... try one under the click gear, etc. If you need more help, email me at [e-mail]

[@roymead1669]

Hey bro, the video was really informative. I have a Thunnus 4000 and the baitrunner clicker isn’t working anymore. What could be causing it? The main drag clicks but when I switch to baitrunner the fish pull out line but I can’t hear it running. Any help would be appreciated cheers

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for checking out the video. Only a couple things it could be.... all in the rear drag area.... could be the click spring is damaged/not interacting with the click ratchet, or everything in and around the rear drag is gunked up, causing nothing to work properly.

[@fischercustombaits]

Cool, good job Barry! As good as new. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I looked up here. That reel is pretty expensive here. For that price you can buy two penn Spinfisher VI LL 6500. Holy....😉 Greetings from Germany ~ Jan 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😀😀🐟🐟

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks Jan! Yes, it's a pricey reel. I forgot what's going up next, but it'll be today or tomorrow. Stay tuned!

[@fischercustombaits]

@@TSGReelService cool! I am here and I won't go anywhere, waiting for your next vid. I appreciate it Barry. Take care. ~ Jan Fischer. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😀😀😀😉😉😉😉

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks bud.

[@fischercustombaits]

@@TSGReelService I am at home, making some new lures for my friends. Small lures , top water for Zander. Zander look like Walleye in the USA. 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🎣🎣🎣🎣😉😉😉😉

[@TSGReelService]

@@fischercustombaits are you recording it for a video? 🙂

[@iceman8159]

I noticed you didn't grease up the rear (bait runner) drag washers. Is it not recommended?

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching. Yes, that's correct. You can if you want to, but I don't feel those washers receive enough friction to need or warrant greasing.... But I do oil the washer that interacts with the metal pieces that tends to stick to them. However, that is just two help stop it from sticking to the metal and reducing the rear drag range.

[@abrahizzzle]

Hey are you in SoCal? Couldn’t find where you’re located. I have this reel in an 8000. Watching was fun but I think it’s better off with you servicing it lol.

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for checking out the video! Take it to your local repair shop.

[@thenomad4155]

Was the pinion gear bushing in there? I’m curious because mines broke on my reel, but I don’t see it installed on this reel

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for checking out the video. That is interesting. At what point in the video was that?

[@thenomad4155]

33:18 sec. I saw that it was still in there. Ok, thanks for this informative video!!!

[@TSGReelService]

@@thenomad4155 yes, I see it... thanks for pointing out that I didn't reference it.... my fault. You can probably get away without it, but the feel may suffer. If it's the support tab that's broken, I would stick the remaining inner sleeve back in the opening, and just let it rotate (if that's what it wants to do) with the pinion. If the inner sleeve portion is damaged, I would try to replace it. Thanks again.

[@iceman8159]

Thanks, great video and very helpful. I have a couple of the Thunnus 8000s and have used them for years. I use the bait runner feature quite a bit with pogies and mackerel when fishing for stripers and I always turn the drag dial on the bait runner all the way down to allow for the least resistance when the bait runs. I've noticed this year that the it's not letting the line out as freely as it used to - there is more "drag/friction" on the same setting. I know the line roller is good. Do you think this could be the drag washers wearing down or the ball bearing on the pinion gear and/or shaft wearing out? Thanks

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching! Good speculation.... the line roller can definitely affect the drag. If you're not feeling any more-than-normal resistance when you're cranking the reel, it's probably not the pinion bearing. It's doubtful a shaft issue would be noticed in BR more. I would start with the bottom drag..... make sure there's no build up of corrosion, drags aren't frozen, everything's aligned, etc. If there are no issues there, then try replacing the pinion bearing and seeing if that helps.

[@iceman8159]

@@TSGReelService Thanks for the quick response and insight. Would the ball bearing on the main shaft be a potential cause?

[@TSGReelService]

You're welcome and no worries. In Baitfeeder mode, it's unlikely. The only things active (not factoring in shaft flex) are the line roller, spool and bottom drag. If everything feels fine when you're actively fighting a fish or reeling in your line, the culprit is likely in the rear drag area.

[@TSGReelService]

.... forgot about the bearing up there on the shaft..... possible, You won't always be able to tell if it's an issue until you change it out and test the reel with the new bearing.

[@zachwaddill7801]

Crosswind block or worm gear... What's most durabl

[@TSGReelService]

Good question... In a spinning reel, my personal opinion, ceteris paribus... more durable - block/crosswind, smoother - worm/pawl.

[@owenbosen4254]

The larger Shimano bait runners have two parts that could this slippage with a cracking sound under load. The parts are the the bait runner pawl and ratchet. Both these parts need to be replaced together. Part No RD13598 and RD3034. Hope this helps next time round.

[@owenbosen4254]

You cleaned the ratchet at 32.20. Its the culprit and the pawl sits right under it.

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching and your input. Yes, I mentioned that within the first minute of the video. The ratchet is RD3033, not RD3034, in case someone uses this info to order the parts. Although I did extensive stress testing on the reel and couldn't recreate his complaint, I should have probably changed them out anyhow. That being said, he's had the reel back for about a year with no reported issues. Another culprit could have been the brass spacer (RD3043) was worn. Thanks for taking the time to write feedback on the video. No one person knows everything, so input and opinions are always good. More vids to come.... spread the word about the channel.

[@owenbosen4254]

Yes sorry you are right. The part number for the ratchet is RD3033. I have replaced these two parts for several Shimano big bait runners. If you inspect the parts carefully, you will find wear on both the pawl and the ratchet, causing it to slip under heavy load.

[@TSGReelService]

I believe you.

[@owenbosen4254]

@@TSGReelService Thanks! i watch your channel as there is always something new to learn even though i am a certified Shimano reel and rod tech living far away in India

[@louisb7458]

braid slipping on the spool maybe is issue?

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for checking out the video! That's the first thing I checked... It wasn't. More vids to come, so be sure to subscribe and hit that bell notification button, if you haven't already done so. Thanks again.

[@mywalkingfriend]

@42:00 and next few minutes are the most important tips for this reel

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching! Yes, it's one of the critical points in reassembly.

[@celestialcrabfishing2147]

you need to pull and lubricate the bearing you didn't get off! remove shields and degrease then re lubricate bearing

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts. At what minute in the video are you referring to?

[@celestialcrabfishing2147]

31:01@@TSGReelService where you made a note of the main gear. @ 51:08 that little pin is such a pain LOL thanks for the help!

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for getting back to me.... yes, I stated why I did what I did for the LS main gear bearing. Regarding the pin (I'm assuming it's the little post on the housing), yes, the Thunnus Ci4 ones seem more difficult to keep in place than the other lines.... a lot more downward force needed to keep it in place until you get them screwed down. Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Glad to hear the video helped. Hit the thumbs up and spread the word about the channel.

[@bronsondicken4499]

That reel looks like a pain to work on

[@TSGReelService]

Thanks for watching! Sometimes, things aren't always as straightforward as we'd like them to be, but that's part of what makes life interesting.