Another Ryoga bites the rust

The Daiwa Ryoga is a very popular reel among anglers here as it's built tough and versatile. Claimed to be salt-water friendly, true to a certain extent but some parts of this reel cannot live up to its specifications claim. I'm sure if given proper care and maintenance, it'll live up close to its intended potential.

This Ryoga is in for a long over-due check-up and service. The owner also wanted to give it a little bit of new life in the form of new RCS knobs. Owner complains that the reel is very rough and lost all its original creamy smooth feel.

One crank of the reel and you are immediately greeted with metal-to-metal rubbing roughness. Even the knobs produces squeaking noise when spinning. Time to strip this BC down for a thorough service.

Rough Ryoga selfie with new RCS rubber coated cork knobs.

Without a doubt, there will be back play on the handle especially when the reel's long over-due for a  check-up. Grease or oil usually gets into the one-way bearings creating slippage. Video below as proof.



As for the squeaky knob, the culprit was quickly discovered. Rust. Serious rust damage resulting in powdered bearings. The inner races of the bearing was somewhat fused onto the knob shaft making it very difficult to remove the knobs and bearings. Plenty of rust remover and prying needed to get the bearing and knob out.

Powdered knob bearings (top) where you can't tell between the shaft or bearings. Bottom row shows rust corrosion and pitting. This calls for some serious rust removal rubbing and also machine polishing to remove permanent pitting.

Oil seem to have spread all over the magforce brake system (top). Free spool support bearings are in good condition but a tad dry and rough (bottom).

Internal gear looks ok. One-way bearing's all rusty and gunked up.

Looks nasty but a quick contact clean up shows that they are just surface rust grime. Upon cleaning, there doesn't seem to be any permanent damage on the roller shaft or bearing pins.

Top right, pinion support bearing's all jammed up with rust. Bottom, as usual, rubber sealed but can't seem to stop water intrusion as intended. Water and grease all over the drag system.

One of the free spool support bearing's got some rust on the retainer cage. Not sure if there are any permanent damage on the bearing balls or races. This will need some revival procedure using rust removal and also ultrasonic cleaning.

All the parts awaiting for an ultrasonic bath.

Some parts do really well after ultrasonic bath and some just need a bit more of the good-ol scrubbing.

Since this reel will be heavily used for salty bashing, the best option would be to pack bearings with marine grease for maximum protection. Free spool support bearing only needs light oil.

Crank case scrubbed down and contact cleaned in preparation for new protective coating (left). Protective marine grease coating on all internal surfaces for maximum protection (right)

Light oil on the insides and marine grease coating outside for free spool support bearing (top, left). Generous amounts of marine grease rubbed all over everything that moves (top right and bottom)

Drag stack lightly coated with drag grease during installation. Gears coated with Daiwa's own sticky salt water grease for creamy smooth cranks.

Externally brushed to remove grime (top). New knob bearings fully loaded with marine grease for maximum protection from salt water bashing.

When the one-way bearing's properly clean and lubed with one-way bearing oil, you get smoothness in cranks and firm stopping power without back plays. Grease or other light oil will create slippage but not one-way bearing oil. Video proof below.

Revived and slightly pimped. Creamy smooth crank is back with maximum protection.

No more squeaking, no more rough riding. This Ryoga is back at its best with Daiwa's signature creamy smooth cranks. Ready to take on some serious salty bashing once again.