TLD 15 grinding (not bearing)

sebastianr240 · November 04, 2022, 12:35:10 AM

Hi everyone,

I've run into an interesting problem with my TLD 15. Whenever i turn the handle it makes grinding noise, and it gets progressively worse with more drag applied. I know it's not the bearing because i replaced it, and while that made it a bit better/smoother, there is still a loud grinding noise that increases with more drag.

The one caveat to this is if i reel the line in with just a little bit of counter tension on the spool, (i.e. just holding the line with my fingers as i reel) the grinding disappears at all drag levels. What could be causing this? Pinion/Drive Gear? Is it more likely one than the other?

Thanks for any thoughts. If i'm not clear i can add a video demonstrating this problem.

alantani · November 04, 2022, 06:22:20 AM

if you take a really close look at the gear teeth, you might see that they are damaged. the gear teeth will wear down and deform under a heavy load. the gear teeth will also wear if they are out of alignment. two things can do that. one is severe damage to the pinion bearing that allows the pinion gear to misalign. the other is a cracked side plate that allows the main gear to move. or sometimes, it's all three. See the crack?

sebastianr240 · November 04, 2022, 05:54:53 PM

Thanks Alan. I emailed you.

sebastianr240 · November 13, 2022, 05:39:08 PM

Update:

I have now replaced the gears and the pinion bearing. The reel is still making noise when there is no counter resistance on the spool. I can't think of what else could possibly be causing the problem. Does anyone have any ideas? Is it possible for the spool bearings to be causing the noise?

foakes · November 13, 2022, 06:16:41 PM

When I used to work on the TLD's, 2-Speeds, Beastmasters, etc. —- unless I was dead-certain a bearing was 100% good —- it would be replaced.

The spool bearings are often over-looked in these —- since they are inside and lots of guys think they are protected already (salt water intrudes everywhere).

So probably 65% of the time —- all of the bearings would be replaced at once when the reel was on the bench.

Did I replace some bearings that still had some life left in them?

Sure, but I knew it was as righteous as possible when leaving the bench —- and there would not be a complaint or a comeback.

Good grease application is also important —- like Alan offers us with his custom grease applicators for bearings.

Generally, a bearing will "howl" before it grinds. However, whatever the issue, a new complete set of bearings would prolong the life of this reel for another decade or two of steady fishing.

Best, Fred

Gfish · November 13, 2022, 06:28:16 PM

Yeah, maybe spool bearings. If you can't figure it out, would like to hear/see a video. The type of noise can sometimes be important. This one those "good/interesting one" problems. I have this reel, so it could important for future reference.

handi2 · November 13, 2022, 10:10:03 PM

Hold the bearings in one hand. Take your index finger push on the middle of the bearings and turn. If you feel anything its bad.

sebastianr240 · November 14, 2022, 03:42:00 AM

Gonna try some new spool bearings. I'll keep you guys updated.

Just posted on the tn-20 thread with a new problem if anyone thinks they might know what's wrong with that, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Lunker Larry · November 14, 2022, 09:16:52 PM

I insert a phillips screwdriver in the bearing and turn it. Any irregularity is easily transmitted to the screwdriver and you can feel it

akfish · November 15, 2022, 08:02:51 PM

If it's not the pinion bearing and the gears are OK, it may well be the left side spool bearing.

sebastianr240 · November 16, 2022, 07:13:03 PM

Ok. Installed all new spool bearings. The pinion bearing was replaced a week or 2 ago and haven't fished it. Gears are brand new, both pinion and main. The only difference i've noticed is that free spool lasts forever now with the new bearings. But i'm still hearing the same noise. At this point i'm starting to think maybe it's normal because i have no clue what else would be causing it. The handle is significantly harder to turn at full, almost clunky if i reel slow enough, and very loud.

I've attached a video so you guys can be the judge of wether this is normal or not.

Started off with little to no drag, then went to full.

alantani · November 16, 2022, 07:27:11 PM

looks normal to me. hard to be sure without the reel in hand. $:-\$

sebastianr240 · November 16, 2022, 09:07:50 PM

Thanks Alan. I have noticed that pressing the handle inwards towards the spool while reeling minimizes the sound. Theres no crack in the side plate like you mentioned but there is some play in that gear... ive noticed that on several tld's though.

handi2 · November 16, 2022, 11:51:14 PM

When you press the handle in it's pushing the main gear inward too.

As you know the anti reverse ratchet is pressed on the main gear.

It's letting pressure off of the anti reverse dog and spring.

The anti reverse is very loud on yours. Maybe the spring can be bent to be not as loud

sebastianr240 · November 17, 2022, 12:43:36 AM

Quote from: handi2 on November 16, 2022, 11:51:14 PMWhen you press the handle in it's pushing the main gear inward too.

As you know the anti reverse ratchet is pressed on the main gear.

It's letting pressure off of the anti reverse dog and spring.

The anti reverse is very loud on yours. Maybe the spring can be bent to be not as loud

You're right about the anti reverse. But that clicking is not what's getting quieter. It really just sounds like loud gear noise. I can feel the handle vibrating from it the more drag i use.

We're you able to see if you could find those dogs and springs for the trinidad?

Thanks in advance.