Take Down and Spool Replacement

To open the reel, unscrew the knurled cap from the back side of the reel. Remove the exposed brass screw with a screwdriver. Push the spool and back side plate free of the reel frame.

To reassemble, place spool onto the spindle shaft in the reel. Be sure it is fully seated into the reel. Set the sideplate on the spindle shaft and rotate the side plate and/or handle arm to be sure the spool engages the drag system and the side plate is properly set on the frame screw heads. Gently push side plate flush with frame. Replace brass screw and firmly tighten. Replace the cap.

To open the reel, unscrew the knurled screw on the back side of the reel. Push the spool and back side plate free of the reel frame.

To reassemble, place spool onto the spindle shaft of the back side plat. Rotate the spool to be sure the spool pins are fully seated into the drag system. Hold the side plate and spool vertically and slide the reel frame down over the spool and back side plate. Rotate the handle arm to mesh the gears and then rotate the back side plate to align the frame screws. Finally, tighten the center screw.

To open the reel, unscrew the knurled cap from the back side of the reel. Remove the exposed brass screw with a screwdriver. Push the spool and side plate free of the reel frame.

To reassemble, place spool onto the spindle shaft in the reel. Be sure it is fully seated into the reel. Set the sideplate on the spindle shaft and rotate the side plate and/or handle arm to seat the back side and to align the frame screws. Gently push side plate flush with frame. Replace brass screw and firmly tighten. Replace the cap.

Unscrew the back plate bearing cover to reveal the slotted center screw. Use reel oil or 30 wt. motor oil to lubricate the reel. Simply oil the hole in the screw and the screw head itself.

Regarding oil inside the drag system - don't do it. Only use PURE Neatsfoot oil on the cork once a year or as maybe be needed.

Remove the back side plate and spool as described above for take down and spool replacement. Oil and grease the gears with automotive bearing grease. No other lubrication is needed or recommended because the other bearings in the reel are self lubricating. Use PURE Neatsfoot oil once a year on the cork on the drag shoes.

Remove the back plate medallion (Classic Reels) or the knurled bearing cover. Oil the hole in the brass screw and the head of the screw itself. This simple operation will oil all the bearings because the center spindle shaft is hollow and supplies oil to both sides of the reel!

The click pawl maybe oiled by first removing the back side plate as described above in spool replacement and then place only a single drop on the click pawl itself. More oil is likely to only cause a mess to clean up later. Always clean up any accumulated grit.

Left - Right hand switching is purely a shop-job since many parts need to be replaced. Original reel owners can have the reel switched as a free service. See Shipping Address and send the reel directly to Ted Godfrey for switch-over.

The photos show the Westminster tail plate with the pawl and spring mechanism. The spring left and right hand configurations are noted in the photos.

The click pawl tension is controled by the pawl spring that is increased or decreased by adjusting the cam assembly. Operate the adjustment knob to see how the cam assembly rotates and moves the spring. The spring is removed and replaced in opposite side of the reel as follows:

First, set the adjustment knob for minimum click tension. Using fingers or pointed pliers disengage the spring from the pawl. The spring can now be lifted out of the reel and placed on the other side position. IMPORTANT: On reels made in 2004 and thereafter, remove and FLIP OVER the pawl. Then, replace the pawl. It should appear as shown in the pictures for left and right hand Westminster reels.

The photos shows the tail plate spring left and right configurations:

This pawl spring puts tension on the click pawl as shown in the photos. Operate the adjustment knob to see how the cam assembly rotates and moves the spring. Also, note the movement of the arm across the face of the reel. The spring is removed and replaced in opposite side of the reel as follows:

First, set the click adjustment to minimum tension. Using fingers or pointed pliers lift the spring off of the click pawl. Next lift the opposite end of the spring off of the little brass post - it maybe necessary to rotate the adjustment to facilitate this removal. The spring can now be lifted out of the reel.

Reinstallation: Reverse the procedure for removing the spring. Take your time and do not force the spring out of normal shape. IMPORTANT: On reels made in 2004 and thereafter, remove and FLIP OVER the pawl. Then, replace the pawl. It should appear as shown in the pictures for left and right hand reels.