Penn Fathom LD 2-Speed: Service Tutorial and First Look.

[Rickman]

Hola. Wrote about my 25nld2 on another thread. No free spool. Went through the tutorial again and saw that I could get at the drag washer fairly easily. Washer and everything around it was clean. I re greased it anyway and put lube around. When I put it back together the drag adjustment knob doesn't seem to catch soon enough to tighten before the adjustment should begin. The adjustment starts right away and then the drag is too tight and the knob isn't snug yet. What did I do?
Can't really tell yet about the free spool without it being together properly but it doesn't seem to have improved any! Won't be able to mess with it for a couple days....dentist visit tomorrow then looks like another hurricane to prep for.
Thanks

[johndtuttle]

You could have put together any number of things in the wrong order not the least of which the lever drag lever itself. If its not started at the right place during reassembly it will bind badly.

[Mjg378]

my 25Nld2 after the last trip I was playing around with the reel, ended up having a little trouble with the dogs not engaging every so often. Turning it into a knuckle buster.  I took it apart, found it was my fault. I put too much grease on the dogs. Over time, The grease had hardened, clean it up with now just a touch of grease.  Everything seems to be just fine now.  I went to set the drag, using it as a 40 pound reel.  Ramped up just fine 8lbs on its way to strike. Then 10 just about between that and strike.  13 at strike  even 16 at full. Marked all with stickies.  Great free spool   Question, I threw it to sunset and check it multiple times. It didn't go any higher than 16.  .  I am happy with it being at 16.  Just wondering if this was normal I might have seen 17 a time or two. Just curious, if there was anything else possibly I should look for.  Still very happy with reeel.
Mike G
Memphis Tn

[Bill B]

Mike I will have to check my 25nld2 in the morning. I suffer from CRS ( can't remember $#!%)  and not sure what my 3 yr old reel gives. Bill

[TannerCortes]

Hello.

I bought a new Penn Fathom II 30LD2 from Cal's Custom Reels at the Pacific Coast Show 2 years ago.  I've used it 4x and just recently brought it out to prep for a trip but found that even with light drag setting between 3-6lbs, the reel is extremely difficult to wind.   

It's the middle of tuna run and can't find anyone able to service it relatively short term.  Is this a bearing issue? 

I have 3 other Fathoms IIs 40NLD2, 60NLD2 and a Torque40NLD2 which have not given me this problem ever. 
Any recommendations on what I should check for?  Is it bearings and if so, should I replace with upgraded bearings?

Hating that I have to try and take this thing apart after so few uses and of course the warranty is probably expired. 

Sigh.

[alantani]

definitely the pinion bearing.  happens all the time.  too bad you're not closer.  it's a 10 minute job.