[oldschoolbasser]

A few of my fellow members expressed interest in up-grading their Ambassadeur reels,so I rebuilt 1 of my reels and took pictures of the process.I will do my best to give you a step-by-step narrative of what I've done and hope the pictures help you in the process.Step (1) Un-screw the thumbscrews on the right side of the reel.Lift the side plate of the frame(do it vertically so the brake blocks on the spool don't fall out).(2) Remove spool from frame.(3)remove screws from left side plate.lift side plate from frame.

[oldschoolbasser]

Step(4) remove collar that holds levelwind gear to the left side of the frame.(5)Un-screw nut on the bottom of the line guide(the pawl should fall out,but if it doesn't tap the frame on your hand and it should fall out.If it still doesn't fall out,pull the worm gear out and it will fall out.(6)Pull worm gear cover out from the frame.

[oldschoolbasser]

Step (7)Un-screw the retainer plate screw(Remove handle nut(9)Remove C-clip from driveshaft using a small screwdriver.Insert the screwdriver in the gap between the clip and driveshaft and turn slowly until the clip comes loose.Keep your finger on the clip because it can fly off and you can lose it very easily.

[oldschoolbasser]

(10)After removing the handle and spring plate below the handle(sorry forgot the pictures) ,remove star wheel.(11)Remove plate screws(12) lift side plate off being careful to lift it straight up off the brake plate(sometimes the washers come up with it.

[oldschoolbasser]

(13) Remove cap from left side plate (14)Pull the spool centering bearing out.(15)Turn side plate over and push the bearing out gently with a wide enough screw driver that gives even pressure across the bearing.Repeat process on the right side plate.The right plate has a bearing cushion,and not a centering bearing.There's a little gap in which you can insert a small screwdriver and lift it out.Turn the plate over and remove the bearing.I didn't remove the cog wheel from the left side plate because I didn't have the new one on hand to do the up-grade,but all you have to do is un-screw it and lift the cog wheel off.

[oldschoolbasser]

(16) Pull the anti-reverse dog away from the click wheel(17)Pull the drive shaft up off the post (1 remove shaft washer at the base of the shaft.Sometimes the washer will stick to the bottom of the driveshaft so be careful not to lose it because it will affect the performance of your reel.

[oldschoolbasser]

(16) Pull the anti-reverse dog away from the click wheel(17)Pull the drive shaft up off the post (1 remove shaft washer at the base of the shaft.Sometimes the washer will stick to the bottom of the driveshaft so be careful not to lose it because it will affect the performance of your reel.Sorry I screwed up the sequence on the pictures.This picture shows what should be done before you pull the driveshaft off.The 1st picture in the previous set shows me pulling off the washers from the drive shaft,which you can also do before removing the driveshaft.The order of the washers is also important.From the bottom up they should be as follows.Curved tension washer,chrome flat washer,brass washer,and black shaft bearing.

[oldschoolbasser]

(1Pull the drive gear and spring plate off the drive shaft(19)Take the spring plate off the drive gear(20)remove the black shaft washer.Sometimes the washer sticks to the bottom of the gear,so just remove it.(21)Remove pinion gear from the arm holding it.To do this lift the pinion gear up.Stick your finger under the arm to keep it up,and pull the gear straight out.Make a note of the pinion gear as you want the open side facing the inside of the brake plate.

[oldschoolbasser]

(22)pull the pressure plate off the drive gear(23)remove the old drag washer from the drive gear.Now you're ready to rebuild your reel with the new parts.I am putting all new gears,drag washers,bearings, drive shaft,bearing supported worm gear,pawl,and worm gear cover.You don't have to go to this extreme,but since I have built this reel from spare parts I already had,and this will be my primary fishing reels,I wanted it to be as good as I can make it.

[oldschoolbasser]

(24)Now you're ready to put the reel back together with the up-graded parts.I usually clean the brake plate and re-lube it before I put everything back on.I use a toothbrush and rubbing alcohol to clean it,and then wipe it dry with a paper towel.I also use Q-tips to get under the parts I can't get my fingers under.I only put oil along the chrome arms of the brake plates,and not gear grease.(25)To remove the anti-reverse dog you need to push in the free-spool button slightly until it moves away from the shaft where the dog sits.(26)I use Carbontex Drag washers.the Kit comes with a drag,and base washer(which is the smaller of the 2).Place the smaller washer on the driveshaft,and push it down all the way.