Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Welcome! => Beginner's Board => Topic started by: calcal on August 11, 2018, 09:35:15 PM

Title: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 11, 2018, 09:35:15 PM
This may be silly question but I would like to get any idea where to start to fix the reel. I opened couple of star drag baitcasting reel, but never open up the lever drag reel before.

I recently purchased 2 lever drag reels (Posidon mini 150R) in Thailand trip. One for myself and the other for fishing mate. After I get the braid line on these, I notice one reel's initial drag is way stronger than the other when I set the weakest drag (by turning drag adjustment knob counterclock wise) and set the lever to strike position. It is about 3 lb vs 12 lb when I put the scale.

I am not sure why exact same brand model reels have such a different initial drag. Where should I look at it to adjust the weakest initial drag?

Any input will be appreciated.

Calvin
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: alantani on August 11, 2018, 10:59:33 PM
any chance you have braid that is slipping on the spool?
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 11, 2018, 11:32:46 PM
I tested with thumb on the side of spool as well so I do not think it is not caused by slipping on the spool.
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: alantani on August 11, 2018, 11:39:44 PM
put a small dot on the spool with a sharpie marker and pull, just to make sure.  sometimes it's hard to see, but this is the cause in the vast majority of cases.   :-\
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 12, 2018, 12:23:25 AM
Just tested as you suggested. I can say for sure now it is not slipping braid.
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: Alto Mare on August 12, 2018, 03:11:54 AM
Try Loosening the pre set screw on the lever and back in all the way to freespool, tighten it a little, while in freespool and see if that helps.  You might need to check if the spring washers on the spool shaft are the same on both.

Sal
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: alantani on August 12, 2018, 03:19:03 AM
crud.  that means it's an internal issue and has to come apart.  is that something you'll be able to do? 
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 12, 2018, 03:25:19 AM
I opened up star drag baitcasting reel a couple of times  to clean up but never try with lever drag. I will try this week and let you know. Is there any good tool I can remove E clip easily?
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: alantani on August 12, 2018, 03:35:30 AM
the tip of an old knife has always worked best for me.  i have one dedicated for that because it ruins the blade.  cover it carefully because it will fly!
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 12, 2018, 03:41:09 AM
Quote from: Alto Mare on August 12, 2018, 03:11:54 AM
Try Loosening the pre set screw on the lever and back in all the way to freespool, tighten it a little, while in freespool and see if that helps.  You might need to check if the spring washers on the spool shaft are the same on both.

Sal

Could you please tell me which part I need to look at it from below diagram?

Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: Alto Mare on August 12, 2018, 10:18:24 AM
I do not see spring washers on this model, but basically it's the same concept. You will need to take it apart and make sure everything is in the correct order, also if all the parts are all there.

Sal
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: SoCalAngler on August 12, 2018, 05:08:34 PM
Have you tried adjusting the drag preset knob? It's part 021 in the picture. Back off the lever to freespool/out of gear. Turn the knob clockwise like 1/4 of a turn then put the reel into gear and see if the drag has increased, On your reel it looks like you will need a screwdriver or coin that fits into the slot on that knob to make adjustments.

These adjustments should be done in freespool and clockwise to increase drag and counter clockwise to decrease drag.
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 12, 2018, 07:36:49 PM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on August 12, 2018, 05:08:34 PM
Have you tried adjusting the drag preset knob? It's part 021 in the picture. Back off the lever to freespool/out of gear. Turn the knob clockwise like 1/4 of a turn then put the reel into gear and see if the drag has increased, On your reel it looks like you will need a screwdriver or coin that fits into the slot on that knob to make adjustments.

These adjustments should be done in freespool and clockwise to increase drag and counter clockwise to decrease drag.

Tried as you suggested, however, drag preset knob did not affect the drag when I adjusted as you described. I even pull it out but no difference.
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: handi2 on August 12, 2018, 10:09:52 PM
I'm sure it is a manufacture's problem. The other sounds right.

I'm still trying to find their 9+2 bearings.
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 12, 2018, 10:33:33 PM
I agree with you. I never heard this brand before until I visited tackle shop in Thailand. I guess that was why the price was good.
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: JRD on August 13, 2018, 03:18:32 AM
Try this.  The drags in mine needed a little run in, cleaning then greased.  The grease inside the reel was inconsistent and I am betting one reel has a better greased drag then the other so your getting a higher initial drag from the dry disk. 

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=19853.0

Mine is still going strong
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: boon on August 17, 2018, 11:33:48 PM
Quote from: handi2 on August 12, 2018, 10:09:52 PM
I'm sure it is a manufacture's problem. The other sounds right.

I'm still trying to find their 9+2 bearings.


There's 2 in the handle knob (2), 1 on each end of the driveshaft (4), 2 anti-reverse bearings on the driveshaft (4+2), one in the drag cam cos it's a twin drag and the spool shaft is driven (5+2), the pinion (6+2), the spool bearings (8+2) and the left side plate bearing (9+2)

Just if we're being pedantic :)

Always makes me laugh when you see some reels, usually spinners out of Asia, promoting their 17 bearings or whatever, and there will be 4 ball bearings in the handle and the bail arm will have bearings on each side and all sorts of silly locations.
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: Joao Tavares on August 18, 2018, 10:46:17 AM
I bought one of those on line last X-mas and had to return it because the preset knob was stuck. Wouldn't turn either way by hand and I didn't want to risk using any tool to turn a plastic knob.
The seller confirmed the reel was bad.

It is sad that this maker has such a poor quality control because the reel seems to be well engineered and everything about it seems nice. If you get a good reel you're fine. If you get a bad one, you have to return it.

I ended up getting a Shimano Torium 16HGA instead.

João
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 23, 2018, 10:59:32 PM
Quote from: JRD on August 13, 2018, 03:18:32 AM
Try this.  The drags in mine needed a little run in, cleaning then greased.  The grease inside the reel was inconsistent and I am betting one reel has a better greased drag then the other so your getting a higher initial drag from the dry disk. 

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=19853.0

Mine is still going strong

My order of Daiwa 555 finally arrived from Japan and I put it on both drag washers. As you suggested, it was better after put the drag greased, however, main problem was two 008 washer. After I removed one it got much better. Thank you everybody for help newbie!
Title: Re: Lever drag reel’s initial drag
Post by: calcal on August 23, 2018, 11:03:05 PM
Quote from: Joao Tavares on August 18, 2018, 10:46:17 AM
I bought one of those on line last X-mas and had to return it because the preset knob was stuck. Wouldn't turn either way by hand and I didn't want to risk using any tool to turn a plastic knob.
The seller confirmed the reel was bad.

It is sad that this maker has such a poor quality control because the reel seems to be well engineered and everything about it seems nice. If you get a good reel you're fine. If you get a bad one, you have to return it.

I ended up getting a Shimano Torium 16HGA instead.

João

Samething happened to me when I purchased Poseidon 500R (two speed model), I tried to return it next day, however, the tackle store in Thailand doesn't allow refund so I ended up exchange same model with different color (which I do not like the color).  :(