Daiwa Lexa corrsion issues.

[woolybugger]

So i purchased an older but brand new in the box lexa 300 end of last season. My reels live a pretty hard life since have a smaller 18ft center console and everything onboard gets regulary soaked on the way home from catalina.
This reel has only been on approximately 6 trips to catalina and caught 2 (10-15)lb yellows and an assortment of the 3bs and has performed well until now.
I rinse off and drip a little reelx on accesible areas every trip and do a full tear down every season.
This reels drag was jerky and sticky so i tore it down for the first time but was surprised at the level of corrosion for such little use.
The drags are currently stuck on by a rusty gear shaft collar and the roller bearings are now junk. i put some pb blaster on it and will try getting it apart later.
Any tips i was planning on sealing it up with grease on reassembly but if there is a more corrosion resistant bait caster model out there i would be interested. Are the tranx any better? i also have a newer blue lexa 400 thats sti doing fine after a few years although bearings have been replaced.

 

[7emptsT]

Saltwater+ dissimilar metals= corrosion

I have 2 Lexus and love them, the issue with most if not all low profile reels is the prolific use of dissimilar metals without any sort of mechanical protection.

 

[mrc70]

The first gen Lexas had a design flaw in the clutch lever that allowed saltwater to enter the reel.

Daiwa Lexa 400HS-P: Service Tutorial and Maintenance Tips

Daiwa Lexa 400HS-P: Service Tutorial and Maintenance Tips

alantani.com

 

[hucklongfin]

Every baitcaster lets water in at the thumb bar. Some are better than others.

 

[woolybugger]

Interesting the gap must be why my newer 400 has fared alot better than the 300.

 

[unbelievable]

Wait till you open the mag side! Horror awaits.

 

[Kman]

I have a Lexa 400 that quit going into gear after only a few months. Luckily, you can lift the thumb bar to put it into gear. Haven’t even looked inside. Got a Tranx 400 to replace it a couple years ago and no issues yet.

 

[hucklongfin]

Wait till you open the mag side! Horror awaits.

Those magnets do get crusty!

 

[skrilla]

All my reels from day one get preserviced. Not all reels are equal and I find that I need to grease every nook and cranny that the factory missed. I crack open my reels every few trips just to check and I'm convinced a little grease goes a long way.

My Lexas have held up but I do notice that shiny finish Daiwa uses on their handles are prone to corrosion like yours. I have another Daiwa that uses a similar finish on it's thumbar and had areas peeling away. Similar issues with other reels using a similar shiny or chrome like coat. Something in it doesn't like salt.

I have a Lexa 400 that quit going into gear after only a few months. Luckily, you can lift the thumb bar to put it into gear. Haven’t even looked inside. Got a Tranx 400 to replace it a couple years ago and no issues yet.

That was a common issue with the first gen Lexa. I have a 300HD and 400HD that does it. I've tried cleaning, lubing with different greases, and tweaking the spring but come to the conclusion it's the geometry of the design. Supposedly Daiwa fixed the issue with the newer gens.

Those magnets do get crusty!

Found that out the hard way. Who knew you had to grease magnets.