Cone of uncertainty: spool edition.

[JasonGotaProblem]

I respooled my spheros last night and was surprised to see a top heavy cone. Its a new spool of the same line i took off it (30# SSV2) and that wasnt a problem before. I mean I'm not sure its a problem now either but definitely a surprise. What might have changed?

[handi2]

You just need to add the spool adjustment washers that go on top of the spool shaft. On top of the metal ratchet.

[philaroman]

should be 3 -- top one likes to stick to the spool & do a "delayed slide-off"

also, ratchet may have flat side & "less flat" side -- flipping it may make tiny difference

[JasonGotaProblem]

I'm just confused because unlike my penns I don't really open this one up. In fact the only time to my knowledge that the spool has come off was when I had someone else install the ceramic bearings and give it a good lube down. But that was months ago and it's been spooling just fine since then. But I doubt the answer is gremlins so I guess I'll count washers when I get home.

[philaroman]

maybe, spool shaft / oscillation block connection getting loose and/or worn

[Brewcrafter]

I'm sure you probably already thought of this, but how was your tension control spooling the reel up this time versus the previous time?  Did you do something different there, since so much of spool loading is related to line tension. - john

[JasonGotaProblem]

It appears to be missing washers. Philaroman says it should have 3. The diagram confirms this. When I looked I saw... Zero.
Having had some time to think about this my logical conclusion is they've been missing since the bearings went in but I haven't spooled out and reel back in enough line really notice it.
So I'm gonna go take it back to the place that did the bearings and maybe do a bit of complaining. Not my style normally but I guess that's my most logical option.
I looked at the diagram for my old 3000FA but irs a different part #. I may pull it anyway and take a look, shimano is known for keeping a part but changing the number.

[handi2]

The number of spool adjustment washers will change from reel to reel. There is no set standard of washers. Penn calls them Thrust washers. I bet the Spheros is still super smooth.

[oldmanjoe]

  Get you some scissors and  cut some washers from the plastic containers in the recycle bin .    About .025 -.030  should get you in the ball park.

[philaroman]

just call the culprits...  #### by phone... 
demand 3 standard 4000-size genuine Shimano (keyed to shaft / stay in place better)
BY FIRST CLASS MAIL -- better,faster,cheaper for everybody

otherwise, anything correct thickness, durable & slightly compressible will work
you're just positioning the spool

VERY BAD tiny POSSIBILITY: they forgot a washer under the rotor &
had to intentionally eliminate spool washers to avoid HUGE cone-down

[JasonGotaProblem]

So I looked late last night when I was a bit buzzed. There are in fact 2 washers in place. I can likely track down one more. Plus the place is local. I can just stop by.

But there is also a bit of vertical play in the spool shaft which likely doesn't help. I just don't wanna wait 2 weeks for them to get to it. What would I be looking for internally to tighten or shim to address that?

[handi2]

So I looked late last night when I was a bit buzzed. There are in fact 2 washers in place. I can likely track down one more. Plus the place is local. I can just stop by.

But there is also a bit of vertical play in the spool shaft which likely doesn't help. I just don't wanna wait 2 weeks for them to get to it. What would I be looking for internally to tighten or shim to address that?

They always have a little play. It's very easy to take a look inside to see if the spool shaft screw has loosened. This reel doesn't have a worm gear like other Shimano spinners. It's the same old locomotive style gearing system like your Penn reels.

If you can post a picture of your line lay washers I have plenty.

Keith

[philaroman]

if you're doing a walk-in, anyway see if they have Okuma stainless washers (for DFD reels w/ no ratchet on shaft)
same(better!) keyed ID / close-enough OD & thickness to Shimano adjustment washers

I put that on shaft, first, so ratchet isn't [as] structural & I can play around w/ ratchet thickness & position
not a game changer -- just some cute little options: get different drag sound, shave a half-gram, etc.

[philaroman]

oh, like Keith said, little play is normal & no concern
but DO try to get a feel for what's normal for THAT reel & catch any noticeable changes ASAP

[JasonGotaProblem]

If someone were to ask me what my greatest fear in messing with this is, it would be that I'd take it apart, something would go wrong, I'd have no idea what it is, and would now have a non functional reel.

And that's exactly what happened.

Definitely not locomotive oscillation. Definitely worm. And i have no idea what's going on but now it doesnt oscillate at all. With every bit as much play as before. Actually more.