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.

-scallywag- · 03-02-2011, 09:53 AM

It sounds like one or both of the spool bearings is dragging. Even on new reels if they get accidentally dunked, the exposed spool bearings can quickly corrode.

Alan's site is a great resource! Take the time to learn how to service your reels, it's really very simple and the star drag reels are all very similar.

I've been servicing my reels along with a few of my friends using Alan's site for a long time now. One thing I would recommend is to open up all the bearings (like Alan's site says) and pack them all with grease and leave them open. Alan suggests using oil in the spool bearing, but on the yak the reels just get too wet. Also on a yak you don;t need 30sec of free spool on any of your bait/yoyo/sabiki rods....and with the jig sticks if the free spool is suffering just replace the spool bearings.

I even take apart brand new reels and pull all the bearing shields and pack them with grease to make the bearing last as long as possible. If you have higher end reels with the anti-reverse roller bearings also make sure that is packed with grease also.

BrokeLoser · 03-02-2011, 11:23 AM

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Alan Tani other than through the website? (alantani.com)
I've registered there twice, I'm not getting the 'activation' email from the site and their is no 'contact us' email link that I can find anywhere to notify an administrator.

Thanks!

Hunters Pa · 03-02-2011, 11:42 AM

He frequents the forums at this NorCal site. Look for something to do with reels & you'll likely see a response from him

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...p?action=forum

BrokeLoser · 03-02-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

He frequents the forums at this NorCal site. Look for something to do with reels & you'll likely see a response from him

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...p?action=forum

Perfect..I'll try that.
Thanks!

Billy V · 03-02-2011, 11:52 AM

Do you have the gold cast control knob turned in too tight ????

-I bet you do.

--------------------------
Because there is no way a sealine won't free spool for a good long time right out of the box.

BrokeLoser · 03-02-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy V

Do you have the gold cast control knob turned in too tight ????

-I bet you do.

--------------------------
Because there is no way a sealine won't free spool for a good long time right out of the box.

No, I've backed it all the way out and goofed with it.
I know this is no scientific method or anything but...In free spool, with no line loaded, with a good flick of the thumb how long should it spin?

Regor · 03-02-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokeLoser

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Alan Tani other than through the website? (alantani.com)
I've registered there twice, I'm not getting the 'activation' email from the site and their is no 'contact us' email link that I can find anywhere to notify an administrator.

Thanks!

Alan probably has to Accept your submittal for registration, which then kicks out an activation email. The forum is only a hobbie for him, as he has a "real" job

03-02-2011, 11:52 AM	#6
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Do you have the gold cast control knob turned in too tight ???? -I bet you do. -------------------------- Because there is no way a sealine won't free spool for a good long time right out of the box. __________________

03-02-2011, 08:01 AM	#1
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.

03-02-2011, 09:53 AM	#2
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	It sounds like one or both of the spool bearings is dragging. Even on new reels if they get accidentally dunked, the exposed spool bearings can quickly corrode. Alan's site is a great resource! Take the time to learn how to service your reels, it's really very simple and the star drag reels are all very similar. I've been servicing my reels along with a few of my friends using Alan's site for a long time now. One thing I would recommend is to open up all the bearings (like Alan's site says) and pack them all with grease and leave them open. Alan suggests using oil in the spool bearing, but on the yak the reels just get too wet. Also on a yak you don;t need 30sec of free spool on any of your bait/yoyo/sabiki rods....and with the jig sticks if the free spool is suffering just replace the spool bearings. I even take apart brand new reels and pull all the bearing shields and pack them with grease to make the bearing last as long as possible. If you have higher end reels with the anti-reverse roller bearings also make sure that is packed with grease also.

03-02-2011, 11:23 AM	#3
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	Does anyone know how to get in touch with Alan Tani other than through the website? (alantani.com) I've registered there twice, I'm not getting the 'activation' email from the site and their is no 'contact us' email link that I can find anywhere to notify an administrator. Thanks!

03-02-2011, 11:42 AM	#4
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	He frequents the forums at this NorCal site. Look for something to do with reels & you'll likely see a response from him http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...p?action=forum