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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Kurt Carlson on October 14, 2010, 01:23:50 PM

Title: Stella 18000SW drag dismantling
Post by: Kurt Carlson on October 14, 2010, 01:23:50 PM
Does anyone have, or can point me to instructions on how to dismantle the 18000sw drag system.  My drag is getting sticky and I can not get the stuff under the spool apart.  I am worried I will damage something.  Does it take some kind of special tool?  It is quite expensive for me to ship the reel somewhere for servicing and I am hoping to do it myself.
Title: Re: Stella 18000SW drag dismantling
Post by: Marc Ong on October 14, 2010, 02:58:22 PM
I've opened mine using a flathead screw driver and a fair bit of force, scratched the metal though.
There are people who've used a PVC pipe of a suitable diameter and cut out grooves so that it'll fit and you turn to remove the metal casing for the bottom drag.

Something along these lines
http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f72/stella-10kfa-drag-replacement-10076/ (http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f72/stella-10kfa-drag-replacement-10076/)
 but require different grooves for the 18k spool.
Title: Re: Stella 18000SW drag dismantling
Post by: Kurt Carlson on October 15, 2010, 01:58:26 PM
Thanks Marc,  You are a life saver. I could not find a pipe to fit the 18k.  I found a P-Trap at the hardware store that fit.  I cut the 3 slots in it and....Whala, it worked.  If anyone is interested, the P-Trap is a Dux 50MM Polypropylene Trap with a 46MM ID.  I used the end that fits to the Basket strainer under the sink.