You gave some good information, but some not so good information as well. I’ll be the bad guy that points out a few things.

1. Stop turning the handle/gears with the spool removed. The spool in a Tatula supports the pinion gear. With the spool removed, the pinion is not supported in its proper position, and turning the handle/gears with it dropped, is one of the fastest ways to damage a gear set.

2. Alcohol is one of the worst choices for soaking/flushing bearings. Naphtha or Zippo lighter fluid breaks down the oil and grease much better, and faster, and leaves no residue. If a bearing is noisy, simply flushing and oiling usually isn’t enough. Use some compressed air to blow the bearing out following a soak to remove any debris in the bearing.

3. There are some critical contact points you did not address. The clutch cam plate, or thumb bar assembly as you called it, rides directly on the frame. It needs to be cleaned and greased as well. Also, the actual thumb bar needs grease on each side on the “slides” that clip into the frame. Also, a little grease on the bottom of the yoke, where the ramps on the clutch cam plate engage it needs grease.

4. Use more grease. You mentioned at the end that Daiwa tends to ship their reels a little dry, which is a fact, but you used as little grease as they did during initial assembly. A little more grease on the main gear and pinion will both protect the gear from metal on metal contact better, but also will not dry out as fast or wash away as fast. A little extra grease will not have adverse effects on the performance.

5. Most (not all)  guys who service reels as a business, go much more in-depth in cleaning. We use expensive ultra sonic cleaners to remove dirt, grime, oil, and grease that a toothbrush and q-tips can not get. Every reel I touch gets completely disassembled, all the way to bare frame, including breaking down the handle. There is a reason we charge what we do, to do it properly.

6. Reel service should be performed annually to ensure top performance and extend longevity of any reel, regardless of brand. If you wait until it’s noisy or grinding, the damage is already done, and you will most likely be needing parts.

I've watched many reel maintenance videos. This is the first one that really clicked in my head. Alot easier to assemble the reel when you understand what each part does. Also eased my fears opening my first daiwa. Probably the easiest disassemble of any reel I've done.

Thanks a lot for the insight. The sound and feel of my reel is much better than the first time I attempted cleaning it. I appreciate the information!

Well versed and well instructed with good tips     .


For left handed users be aware. It took me 4 disassembles till I realize the clutch gear is supposed to go other way. 😂

Thanks for doing this! Getting ready to clean and change the bearings on four Tatula’s.

Thank you for the video! Made it so much more easier then when I did my other reel. Super excited to fish now!

Greatest four words ever, it just looks cool,yes I agree thanks for the video.

Thank you for posting this video. I used a new Daiwa reel for the first time yesterday (I typically use Abu Garcia and Shimano), and it was obvious it was not greased much from the factory based off the sound it made. This video is extremely helpful, as I do not like disassembly of reels. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Thanks for taking the time to show this PF...  While it may not have been how the "pro's" do it, it was enough to keep the reel performing well until we can afford to to spend $50 per reel to have it done "properly".  You'd be stunned how hard it is to find someone who cleans these reels "professionally".  In the Orlando FL area, there's only one person (that I know of) who does this.  Thanks again...

Can't wait for the shimano video. Looking forward to it.

Thanks for your time to this. This really helped me to get my reel up and running smoothly again

Awesome job! Made it look easy.  I’m a Shimano fan boy with about 10 Curado K’s.  I’ll be looking forward to that video and start doing my own reels.  Thanks for  doing this video.

great detailed video, thanks so much for taking the time to create this content

Great video for close up taking the reel apart. Been looking at other people’s video of taking the reel apart and was just not confident after watching their video as they make it more complicated. Would love to see you do video on shimano reel too like the Metanium or Antares

awesome video.  I was a little intimated with my Daiwa Fuego.  I have taken apart spinning reals but not baitcasters.  I can now.  Thanks!

Thanks for doing this. I just started using baitcasters last season and put my tatula sv tw through the ringer last season and need to give it and my 3 other reels a cleaning but didn't know where to start

Good job!! Thank you sir...

Great breakdown and helped me a lot. You have a bunch of great reel videos!!

Very helpful video. I use nothing but tatula and tatula sv reels. Just ordered my ten year old son his first (2024 tw100) and I plan to do all of our reels over winter. Mine are a bit neglected. Haven't had any issues but id rather stay ahead of that. Thank you.

I like using a zip tie or similar to keep parts in their proper order/position as I take them out of the reel