Reel issue...slow free spool..how to fix? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

onetriphudson · 03-02-2011, 08:01 AM

In the 90's, while I was in school I worked at some of the old Bobs Bait and Tackles (CV, Point Loma and La Mesa). Eventually I ended up doing a lot of their reel repair and the Daiwa stuff was the easiest to work on. If your reel is mint on the outside, I doubt then that natural elements are to blame for an interior problem. Just sitting around would not cause a bearing to gum up. What's possible is that someone swapped an axle or bearing for another reel - but why do that? After screwing up many reels myself and then learning to fix reels when others attempted their own rebuilds - I learned it only takes one misplaced washer to goof up the performance. I think it is highly likely that you've got an internal part backwards or out of place. You could send it to Daiwa or have it serviced by a shop. You could also get the schematic out, make a clean wide area for yourself to work and pull the reel apart. Start with the sideplates and go slow, paying attention to how stuff comes out. Lay it all down in sequence from left to right. I bet you will find a simple problem around the shaft or be able to identify the bunk bearing. Lightly oil bearings, lightly grease gears, and the drag washers have their own weird grease. Best to replace drags with new materials.

03-02-2011, 08:01 AM	#7
onetriphudson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 143	In the 90's, while I was in school I worked at some of the old Bobs Bait and Tackles (CV, Point Loma and La Mesa). Eventually I ended up doing a lot of their reel repair and the Daiwa stuff was the easiest to work on. If your reel is mint on the outside, I doubt then that natural elements are to blame for an interior problem. Just sitting around would not cause a bearing to gum up. What's possible is that someone swapped an axle or bearing for another reel - but why do that? After screwing up many reels myself and then learning to fix reels when others attempted their own rebuilds - I learned it only takes one misplaced washer to goof up the performance. I think it is highly likely that you've got an internal part backwards or out of place. You could send it to Daiwa or have it serviced by a shop. You could also get the schematic out, make a clean wide area for yourself to work and pull the reel apart. Start with the sideplates and go slow, paying attention to how stuff comes out. Lay it all down in sequence from left to right. I bet you will find a simple problem around the shaft or be able to identify the bunk bearing. Lightly oil bearings, lightly grease gears, and the drag washers have their own weird grease. Best to replace drags with new materials.