6600 C4 Free Spool Issue

[Hardy Boy]

Taking a look at a new 6600 C4 that is having an issue. When you push the bar for free spool the reel will not always go into free spool, its like it stays engaged, but if you spin the spool towards you it will spin fine and then it will spin fine in forward (the other way). Its like you have to spin it backwards to disengage the pinion from the spool. It will not always do this. It will work fine 20 times and then it wont disengage ,until you rotate it a little back towards you and then it spins fine either way.

So the reel will not always free spool line out but it will always free spool line in.

The guy said it started after pulling on a seal that took his salmon.

I serviced the reel and everything is fine. The thumb bar solidly moves the reel into free spool and turning the handle clicks it out. The pinion gear slides freely on the shaft and it has no nicks or dings. the pinion also slides freely on and off the "pins" on the spool.

?

Todd

[Bryan Young]

 I would check the yoke. It's likely that the yoke is damaged.  I would check there first.

[Keta]

Sometimes the engagement linkage gets worn out too.  Both can cause this.

[Hardy Boy]

I just talked to an Ambassador specialist (they service hundreds a year) and I no sooner mentioned 6600C4 and they said pinion yoke and I went on to explain more of the issue and they said pinion yoke ! Bryan your the man. The pinion gear is cut top and bottom and combined with the plastic yoke it causes issues. I will update once I replace.................... why use a plastic yoke

Cheers:

Todd.

[Bryan Young]

Thanks Todd.

I don't service that many but have had similar issues with mine.

[Keta]

These reels were originally a bass reel, but they work well for salmon and steelhead.  Plastic worked for bass but not as well for larger fish.

[foakes]

.................... why use a plastic yoke

Unfortunately, as we all know, because it is cheaper to produce -- although many manufacturers use the excuse that it reduces weight, etc.

Most reel firms use plastics to different extents -- have ever since plastic was invented.

Nothing wrong with plastic on the surface, however...

Like many of us, I work on a fair number of older, vintage reels -- with mostly metal parts.

With a metal part, if it is gouged, bent, or distorted -- and a replacement part or donor reel is not available -- I can generally rework, file, machine, and get it to work in most cases.  With plastic, it is not even possible -- it is a non-starter -- just another reel for the parts bins.

ABU is one of the greatest tackle companies ever -- for me it was very sad when they started to produce a cheaper baitcaster for Wal-Mart in later years. It was done to compete with a low price point -- and there are many Tupperware and riveted multiple joined parts inside -- although, to the average tackle consumer -- it appears as one of the old proven originals.

ABU has long used a nylon yoke (even before Wal-Mart) -- and they hold up reasonably well...until they don't.

Generally a big fish takes care of the integrity of the yoke, and other Tupperware parts.

IMO only --

Best,

Fred

[Hardy Boy]

It was the pinion yolk. The pinion gear had "milled" away the nylon yolk until it would not lift the gear enough to consistently disengage the spool   while in free spool. I wondered what the "fuzz" was in the reel ........................... fine stands of milled nylon like off of a lathe.

Cheers:

Todd