Ambassadeur 6500Cs Mag(09-00)

Technical Maintenance Guide: Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500CS Mag (Foot Number 09-00)

The Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500CS Mag (09-00) is a round baitcast reel featuring a synchronized levelwind system and linear magnetic braking. Proper cleaning, inspection, and lubrication of the levelwind, bearings, gears, drag system, and magnetic brake can help maintain smooth operation and casting performance.

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500CS Mag 09-00 Service Guide

Essential Service Tools

• Wrench: 10mm for handle nut removal.
• Screwdrivers: Fine-blade flathead and a small Phillips head.
• Cleaning Solvent: Specialized reel degreaser or high-grade isopropyl alcohol.
• Lubrication: Deuthlon Oil for velocity and a high-adhesion gear grease for load-bearing components.

External Teardown

1. Handle Assembly: Remove the locking screw and the 10mm handle nut. Pull off the handle arm, the star drag wheel, and the tension washers. Ensure the "belleville" spring washers remain in their original nested orientation.
2. Side Plate Access: Loosen the three captive thumb screws on the right side plate. Gently pull the plate away from the frame.
3. Spool Removal: Slide the spool out of the frame. Note the position of the spindle shims, which are important for centering the spool between the magnetic and mechanical brakes.

Internal Gear and Bridge Service

The drive train of the 09-00 series is housed within the right side plate.

1. Main Gear & Drag: Remove the bridge screws to release the main gear. Extract the Carbon Matrix drag washers. Use a solvent to strip away old grease from the gear teeth and metal drag plates.
2. The Pinion System: Inspect the pinion gear and yoke. Ensure the yoke springs are not compressed or rusted.
3. The Drive Shaft: Clean the drive shaft thoroughly, paying close attention to the area where the anti-reverse bearing (IAR) makes contact.

Magnetic Brake and Levelwind Maintenance

Since the 6500CS Mag features a levelwind that moves in sync with the spool during the cast, friction in this system can affect casting performance.

1. Worm Gear: Remove the line carriage and slide the worm shaft out of the frame. Remove trapped grit and dried lubricant from the diamond-pattern grooves.
2. Idler System: The white nylon idler gears transfer power from the spool to the worm gear. Check for missing teeth or embedded sand.
3. The Mag Slider: On the left side plate, ensure the magnetic tray moves smoothly. Wipe the magnets with a clean cloth to remove metallic particles.

Precision Lubrication Protocol

To service the 6500CS Mag 09-00 correctly, the lubricant should match the function of each component.

1. Levelwind & Idler Gears: Apply Deuthlon Oil to the worm gear and nylon idler gears. Because these components are constantly moving during a cast, using Deuthlon Oil instead of grease reduces resistance in the synchronized system.
2. Main & Pinion Gears: Apply a layer of high-quality gear grease to the teeth of the main gear and pinion gear. This provides lubrication for the brass components under the stress of a heavy retrieve and helps reduce premature wear.
3. Spool Bearings: Flush the bearings until they spin freely, then apply one drop of ultra-light high-speed oil.

Reassembly and Testing

1. Levelwind: Reinstall the worm gear into the frame and secure the clips.
2. Drive Train: Place the pinion and yoke back into the side plate, followed by the main gear and drag stack.
3. Final Assembly: Insert the spool into the frame. Align the right side plate and hand-tighten the three thumb screws.
4. Calibration: Adjust the mechanical tension until the spool has the appropriate amount of play. Move the magnetic slider to the "Max" position to verify that the braking mechanism engages correctly.

Maintenance Summary Table

Using the recommended lubricant for each component helps maintain the Ambassadeur 6500CS Mag 09-00's casting and retrieve performance while providing appropriate protection for the internal drive components.