Hose Reel Parts and Repair

A hose reel has one moving seal, one brake, one latch, and a crank. When any of them quits, the whole reel feels dead, but the fix is usually a part under $150, not a new reel. Sun Brite Supply keeps hose reel parts for A-frame, hand carry, and electric rewind reels: swivels, locking pins, guide arms, switches, and full 12 volt rewind kits. Describe the problem to us at 301-519-9274 and we will name the part before you pull anything apart.

Diagnose the Reel Before You Buy Hose Reel Parts

Reels fail in predictable ways. Match your symptom to the part below and you will fix it right the first time. Every part links to the exact piece we sell for standard A-frame and hand carry reels.

Reel switches are on our shelf right now. Swivels and pins move fast, so call ahead and we will hold yours at the counter.

The Swivel: Fix It Early, Not Late

The swivel is the part that lets pressurized water enter a spinning drum, and it is the part that dies first on almost every reel. It warns you before it fails. Stage one is a slow drip at the hub when the trigger is closed. Stage two is a fine spray under pressure. Stage three is a stream that costs you flow at the nozzle. Swap the swivel or its seals at stage one and the job takes ten minutes with two wrenches. Wait until stage three and you have usually scored the mating surfaces, and now the whole swivel needs replacing instead of a seal kit. Match the thread size and angle to what is on your reel, 3/8" or 1/2", straight or 90 degree, and check the pressure rating against your machine.

Guides, Stops, and Brakes: The Cheap Parts That Save Hoses

A missing guide arm does not stop the reel from working, so most people ignore it. Then the hose saws against the frame edge on every pull and the outer jacket opens up 40 feet from either end, which is not a spot you can splice cheaply. A $145 guide arm protects a $250 hose. Same logic with the drag brake. When a drum free-spins in the truck, the hose loosens, rubs, and tangles, and the first pull of the morning becomes a ten minute detangle. The brake pad costs $12.95 and installs in minutes. These are the least exciting parts we sell and the best money-per-dollar on this page.

Upgrades While You Are In There

If the reel is apart anyway, think about what would make the truck faster. The 12 volt power rewind kit converts a manual A-frame reel to push-button rewind off the truck battery. A wall mount bracket gets a bottom mount reel up off the trailer deck. The two wheel cart turns a 150' to 450' A-frame reel into a rolling station for jobs where the truck stays at the curb. And the sewer jetting kit converts a hand carry reel into a compact drain line setup.

From the Field

The repair pattern on reels is lopsided. We sell stacks of swivels and switches and almost no drums or frames, because the structure of a decent reel outlives everything bolted to it. So before you price a new reel, price the part. The other thing worth passing along: when an electric rewind dies, it is the switch far more often than the motor. Switches live in the spray zone and corrode from the terminals in. At $14.54 for the common one, test with a jumper, swap the switch, and save yourself a motor teardown. Bring the old part to the counter if you are not sure. Matching a mystery swivel by eye is something we do every week.

Related Collections

• Complete hose reels when the frame really is done
• Hose reel swivels in every common thread
• Stacking hose reels and low pressure reels
• Whip lines to stop vibration from reaching the swivel
• Gun and lance swivels and quick connects
• Hose fittings and switches
• Repairs in person at our Gaithersburg parts counter

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my hose reel leaking at the swivel?

The internal seals wear from pressure cycles and grit in the water. A slow drip means the seals are going. Replace the swivel or its seal kit early, before spray erodes the mating surfaces and forces a full swivel replacement.

How do I know which swivel fits my reel?

Check three things: thread size on both ends, usually 3/8" or 1/2" pipe thread, the shape, straight or 90 degree, and the pressure rating, which must meet or beat your machine. When in doubt, bring the old swivel to the counter and we will match it.

Can I add power rewind to a manual hose reel?

Yes, on most A-frame reels. The 12 volt rewind kit bolts to the frame, drives the drum, and wires to the truck battery through a switch. It is the most popular upgrade we sell for high-volume route work.

Why does my reel unspool in the truck?

The drag brake is worn or missing, so the drum spins free over bumps. A replacement EPDM brake pad costs about $13 and stops the morning hose tangle for good.

My electric reel will not rewind. What do I check first?

The switch, not the motor. Reel switches corrode from water exposure and fail long before the motor does. Jump the switch terminals to test. If the motor runs, a replacement switch fixes it for under $30.

Is it worth repairing an old hose reel?

Usually. Frames and drums rarely fail, so a swivel, pin, or brake brings most reels back for under $150. Replace the reel only when the frame is bent or rusted through.