Braid vs. Steel

[peguinpower]

I have a 2000 sized Quantum Catalyst spinner loaded with Powerpro braided line. I use it on the kayak to fish for calicos, sandies and halibut. Its been doing fine for 4 years except last Monday. On a couple of strippers, the rotors suddenly started jerking and going in reverse. Needs cleaning I thought. WRONG!

Here is a pic of the anti-reverse (AR) bearing which is pressed fitted into the anti-reverse clutch assemply. This assembly is held in place by the AR dog. To show the problem, I striped the unit with lines to show the position of the bearing against the AR clutch assembly before putting a load on the rotor. The AR bearing is supposed to hold and allow the dog to take the load of a fish.



Now this is a pic of the same assembly after a 3 pound load is put on the rotor. You will see that the AR bearing has slipped in its housing. Look at how the stripes are now misaligned.



If you own an older spinning reel, they may not last when used with braided line. I have noticed that my newer spinning reels now have larger AR bearings with magnetic mechanism. Only time will tell if those things will last. This particular reel is getting a new AR clutch assembly from the factory. It will see more days, but I will be taking out the braided line.


/bing