Mitchell Reel Forum

Another basket case, had solidified grease inside cleaned re lubed reel works great.
Problem Bail, can't fully tighten down wire. If you back off large screw reel works as advertized.
I was thinking if I put lock tight on large screw to insure it will stay put will fix problem.
Messed with it for 2 hrs. If you back off big screw it does not move when reel is cycled thru.
Any tips or advice.
Yes bail wire is correct.
Has not been a good night.

I've had that problem, oil both sides of the bail (under the bail wire) worked for me.

In Morning light, made a discovery, looks like wrong bail spring, existing one is alot larger than normal 304 spring, when is tightened compresses and causes a bind.
The grease when I took it apart was some weird #@%&.
This a grease turned to a solid.almost like vanish in a fuel system texture.
In synthetic oil like 7808 or 23699, it will corrode if exposed to atmoshere.
The grease inside reel was like a black vanish.
This was one for the books.

Up date, lined bail wire up, replaced spring problem solved.
Only remaining question. What was that Grease.

Any good grease that works. Synthetic greases don't break down or dry up like the old greases, so most people recommend them. If the grease is for reels and not 50 years old, it will do. Avoid white lithium grease, it tends to blacken in use.

Glen