Zor those Mitchell reels are not the most complicated but you still have to be careful and take your time. It seems to me the most likely culprit is a spring that somehow was not installed correctly. You can fix this, but you need to be patient.Originally Posted by zorthedog
Set up a reasonable work space where you will not be disturbed. A table with good lighting is a must. As you get older, like me, you will appreciate this even more. Get a copy of the diagram and enlarge it as big as you can (again a tip mostly for us seniors). Slowly and carefully begin to disassemble the reel. This is where your patience will come into play. Make sure you have enough time to strip it down. If you are a good detective, by looking at the diagram as you disassemble it you will slowly begin to see your mistake unraveled.
Did you clean and lube everything carefully? If not now would be a good time to do it. Also if you have any springs or pieces that look worn now would be the time to replace them. Do not start putting that reel back together untul you have determined which parts are worn and need replacement. That would be like repairing a motor of a car by using old pistons. Carefully put the pieces back together according to the diagram. Double check your work at each step of the process. This is the part where a lot of folks make mistakes, you have to make sure not only do the parts fit together, but that the action will be as intended. If there is any binding or tightness at any stage, you must figure out where you went wrong.
If you really get to the point where you feel it's useless, you could bring the reel to any of several shops to be serviced. I don't know what area you are in, but we have some reliable tackle shops in New Jersey. Good luck, take your time, and follow the diagram exactly. You can do this, Zor. And welcome to the site. Why not tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be a fisherman when you get a chance? Where do you fish out of? What do you primarily fish for?
Reply With Quote