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Ambassadeur C4 problems....

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 12:06 pm
by Chalk
Anyone having problems with there C4 cast control? I have checked the cast control washer for dimples and trash...nothing

Cast control acts sticky and you can't set it correctly, it's either to tight or too loose....aka can't throw far or backlash :roll: .....

Wondering if the dual centrifugal weight-spool braking system is in need to repair.....Anyone had any similar problems?

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 2:07 pm
by tin can
Image

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 2:21 pm
by DixieReb
Chalk,
I have 2 reels just like yours, but never had the problem you described. The thumb bar gets stuck on one of mine sometimes, I take it apart and oil it and it works ok. You might try replacing the braking parts if you can get some. It would beat buying a new reel.

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 3:11 pm
by Chalk
I talked with a reel modifier on another forum about it....He said the spool should click on the palming side.....I'm gonna check that tonight....Probably gonna tear it down, clean it good and oil it....The mechnical brake might have some trash on it to.....TC....I'm too deep in Abus to bail now.... 4 C3s and a C4...I sure have been doing alot of maintenance lately though :roll: ...Had a Shimano Citica that I loved til it started acting up.....

I'll let you know the out come.... :thumbup:

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 4:12 pm
by tin can
If you decide to switch, take a look at this reel.
Image

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 4:23 pm
by Chalk
The Curado replaced the Citica..I believe....The Citica had a magnetic spool control..would cast a country mile.....I gave up trying to fix it and sent it to Basspro...for repair....They said it was noted for not working right after you took it apart :o ..That's how I got the Stradic......

I'm playing with the Abu..ordering some ABECO7 bearings and some Rocket Fuel bearing oil..I should be able to burn my thumb print off and create the world best birds nest :o

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 5:20 pm
by Cranfield
I have a few AbuC4 5500's and 6500's, which get quite a lot of use.
They have never given me any problems at all.

I would definitely replace the brake "blocks" and give it a good clean.
Perhaps as you suggest, its just some muck in the system. :thumbup:

Abu = baitcasters.
Shimano = spinning reels.(although I love my TLD30's). :wink:

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 6:21 pm
by Chalk
Looks like one of the legs on the mechanical brake is bent a hair...Never had it apart..wonder how it bent?

Think that was the main culprit, but there was clods of factory grease floating around and I found hair too :o .....I got the reel in May....I guess a major cleaning every 6 months for this one and a shorter wig are in order.... :lol: :thumbup:

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 6:47 pm
by wevans
Man, I sure am glad my wife don't read the forum :o She would never let me get near another gatherin if Chalk was gonna be there :-D :beer: :beer:

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 7:47 pm
by Chalk
wevans wrote:Man, I sure am glad my wife don't read the forum :o She would never let me get near another gatherin if Chalk was gonna be there :-D :beer: :beer:
Obviously she doesn't see the pictures you post on other forums either or she wouldn't let you in the house :smt045

Posted: December 13th, 2004, 8:04 pm
by wevans
:smt024 :smt024 :smt024 :smt025

Posted: December 14th, 2004, 6:59 am
by Charles
Oh No <gasp> a hair? Once they've had a hair in them they're done. Send it to me, I'll get rid of it for you, free of charge. :wink:

What kind of oil are you using? On my Ambassadeurs I've found to stick with old school 3-n-1, Marvel or something similar and stay away from the teflon "super" lubricants. They lubricate great, too well I have found, causing the spool to spin wildly out of control when casting creating horrendous backlashes. Another problem I have found with this stuff is in order to get it out of the reel once it's been sprayed it in there is to strip it down and completely degrease everything, then re-lube with something a little more controllable.

Of course I've only been using casting reels, mainly Ambassadeurs, for 30 something years, maybe I just need to fish more for the practice. :wink:

Posted: December 14th, 2004, 9:18 am
by Chalk
Degreased and oiled with 3-1.....It seems to be better.....Rocket Fuel reel oil come highly recommended.....I'm going to order some and give it a try....Almost all the distance casters use it... :thumbup:

Posted: December 14th, 2004, 9:39 am
by CSMarine
Distance casters???? Is that some new type of competition I ain't heard of? What's the current record? :wink:\

The reason it's not working right, is because you took the dang hair out of it. It's designed into the brake system. If the hair was black, then you should change it to blonde. Black is a Georgia hair, blonde is a Florida hair. :lol:

Chalk, let me know if you still need backing up to the ramp lessons. :smt005

Posted: December 14th, 2004, 10:09 am
by Chalk
CSMarine wrote: Chalk, let me know if you still need backing up to the ramp lessons. :smt005
I can't say the back half of my truck has been in the Keaton canal...can you :smt044