Ambassadeur 5501CL3 10 00

Technical Maintenance Guide: Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5501CL3 (10 00)

The Ambassadeur 5501CL3 (10 00) is a high-performance, left-hand retrieve round reel designed for durability and smooth casting. This model features a three-bearing system and a synchronized levelwind that is built to handle consistent use in both fresh and brackish water. To maintain the 10 00 model’s structural integrity and retrieval power, a systematic service involving deep cleaning and the application of professional-grade synthetics is required.

Phase 1: Teardown and Internal Cleaning

Regular maintenance on the 5501CL3 ensures that the precision gear mesh does not become compromised by salt, grit, or oxidized factory lubricants.

1. Side Plate Removal: Loosen the three captive thumb screws on the left-hand (handle) side plate. Carefully pull the plate assembly away from the frame.

2. Spool Service: Slide the spool out of the frame. Inspect the spool shaft and the integrated ball bearings. For the CL3 series, ensuring these bearings are free of micro-debris is the most critical step for maintaining casting distance.

3. Drive Train Access: Remove the handle, star drag, and the curved tension washers. Lift the gear cover to expose the main drive gear, the pinion yoke, and the drag stack.

4. Deep Degreasing: Submerge the brass main gear, stainless steel pinion, and the worm shaft in a dedicated reel cleaner or high-flash-point solvent. Use a soft brush to ensure no old residue remains in the gear teeth. Dry all components completely before re-lubricating.

Phase 2: Strategic Lubrication with Deuthlon

For a reel designed to balance torque and speed, we recommend utilizing Deuthlon Reel Grease and Deuthlon Reel Oil. These specialized products provide a superior film strength that stays on the gears even under heavy mechanical loads.

Applying Deuthlon Reel Grease:

• Main Drive Gear: Apply a light, uniform coating of grease to the teeth of the brass main gear. This provides the necessary cushion to prevent gear "chatter" and ensures a silent, powerful retrieve under the load of heavy lures.

• Pinion Gear: Coat the teeth of the pinion gear and the internal slot where it interfaces with the spool shaft. Proper lubrication here is essential for preventing wear and ensuring the reel engages crisply when the handle is turned.

• Clutch Linkage: Apply a micro-layer of grease to the sliding metal surfaces of the kick lever and release sliders to ensure the thumb bar operates with a positive, tactile click.

Applying Deuthlon Reel Oil:

• Levelwind Worm Gear: Apply two drops of oil to the spiral worm shaft. Since the levelwind is constantly oscillating during both the cast and retrieve, oil offers the low-viscosity protection needed to prevent drag and wear on the pawl.

• Idler Gears: These plastic gears drive the line-lay system. A light coating of oil ensures they rotate with minimal inertia, which is vital for maintaining the casting efficiency of the CL3 series.

• Spool Bearings: Flush the bearings thoroughly and apply exactly one drop of Deuthlon oil to each. This thin film allows the spool to reach high RPMs without the "fluid drag" associated with heavier lubricants.

Phase 3: Reassembly and Testing

1. Seat the Spool: Slide the spool back into the frame, ensuring the shaft is properly aligned with the non-handle side bearing.

2. Housing Alignment: Position the side plate over the frame, ensuring the pinion gear seats over the spool shaft correctly. Hand-tighten the thumb screws in a cross-pattern to ensure even pressure.

3. Check the Oscillation: Rotate the handle to verify that the levelwind tracks smoothly and evenly across the front of the reel.

4. Final Spin Test: Disengage the thumb bar. The spool should spin silently and freely. Adjust the mechanical tension knob to eliminate spool side-play, allowing the 5501CL3 to handle the rotational load with peak efficiency.

Maintenance Reference Summary