Shimano Sustain Problem

[DropinBack]

I have two shimano sustain's. A 4000 and a 5000. Both have developed a sticking gear problem almost completely locking up. I imagine this may be a common problem because it happened to both of them. The gears are not smooth and stick and lock...
Any advice to how to fix the problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

[wahoojack]

I have also had a problem with my Stella. I believe it to be a failed main bearing. On the Stella, there is a new seal that is suppose to keep water out of the bearing. I would ask someone familiar with these reels to check for a upgrade. It was available for the Stella.

[DropinBack]

Thanks for the info. Its amazing how their "top models" seem to have the most problems. I have 4 stratics as well that have about 5 times the use that have never had a single problem...

[wahoojack]

I have around 8 Stellas in various sizes, and about half have developed the same probllem as yours.

[WAHOONBOX]

HELLO SHIMANO....

I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE AND FAIR TO THESE ANGLERS AND OTHERS WITH SAME SIMILAR ISSUES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE

[norter79]

I service all my own reels except for the shimano spinners..

the reason i don't service them is because shimano generally replaces any parts for free..

turn around time was about 3 weeks just recently on two stradics and two sustains.. i got two new handles for free and any drag washer that needed to be replaced were free. I also had a couple of anti-reverse bearings swapped out for free.

the service charge was 25 or 30 bucks a reel.

it's a no brainer.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/cont...%20Form_08.pdf

[norter79]

also, if it's warranty you may not be charged...

[Marlinmate]

With 7 bearings on the Sustain, you have 7 additional opportunites for failure. Most factory reels come with light oil on the bearings which doesn't do much for a fished hard saltwater reel.

A hard fished reel should be maintained a minimum of twice a year......only my opinion, but i sure would hate to have one lock up when the big kahuna is peeling line off.