Marfix loose screw

Inline with previously fixed Marfix N4 jam, my own Marfix S5 also showed some weird behaviour with some handle back play towards the end of the trip, after hauling up a fatty grouper from the deep without being taxed by pesky sharks.

It didn't sound like something major and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Loaded with 50lbs of braid, all 600yds of it.

Previously salt prep grease still intact and clean.

Main gear screw still intact, but all 3 of them's come undone. Hence the back play.

Still creamy clean inside.

Spool bearing's still nicely packed with salt water grease.

Degreasing needed before contact cleaning and thread locker application.

Excess thread locker must be properly removed. Not a good friend of any mechanical parts and grease. Left to dry before applying a new coat of salt grease.

Lunker from the southern pacific depths. 100% tax free.

The Marfix S5 will be ready for battle on the get go. Waiting and working towards the next big game opportunity.

Stella SW10000 loose crank

Here's new case file for my reel repairs and servicing. A very well seasoned Shimano Stella SW10000 that has battled countless GTs and other big bruisers off shore. As a result, somewhat, there is now an excessive amount of freeplay on the crank handle.

It's definitely not the anti-reverse (one-way) bearing failure as you can see from the video below, while cranking, I gripped the rotor preventing it from rotating. Upon opening the crank case, the issue was obvious on the main gear.

Loose screws. These screws usually come properly thread locked but I suspect this reel has battled far too many big bruisers resulting in loose screws on the main gear. If this is left as per, it will never be able to survive another battle and more severe and permanent damages will be produced inside the crank case.

All the screws were easily undone with little to no traces of thread locker in place. Odd. Also note some of the off coloured gear tooth on the upper right, typical wear and tear.

A thorough degreasing and contact cleaned is necessary for this rebuild in order for the thread locker to properly adhere to the threads. Only a thin coat of thread locker is needed to secure the gear to the shaft.

Note the thin coat of thread locker on screws, excess can be absorbed using paper towels.

As usual, the insides of the crank case is bone dry, possibly never been serviced the day it's out of the box fishing. A complete marine grease rub down as well as bearing checks is done as a routine maintenance. Nothing out of the ordinary here.

Nice rub down. Excellent inner condition with some signs of gear wear and tear but isn't a deal breaker.

Line roller has seen some serious battle with some light damages sustained possibly caused by binding washers. Thorough clean up and marine grease packed into the entire assembly to prevent water intrusion. Bearings are also in excellent condition.

Early detection of a loose crank handle is key to preventing gear failure. Luckily, this is in between off shore trips and a quick fix is done before it starts to really destroy the gears or any other internal parts.