Avet mxl5.8 issues

[jzumi]

Took apart my buddy's reel and found the spool shaft bent.  So how does a spool shaft get bent? 

Owner did service the reel for the first time and fabricated a Preset spring because he lost the original.  I discovered two preset springs when I dismantled the reel; he said he scavenged a preset spring from another reel and may have inadvertently left the fabricated spring in addition to the swapped part.  I also found the pinion bearing to be corroded and balky, barely turning.

How on earth does a spool shaft bend?

[MACflyer]

Seen one bend from accidentally dropping the spool during service, but not from use.

[Brewcrafter]

I think you already know the answer. Sounds like Owner did self service (nothing wrong with that) but started to modify/change things out without a clear understanding of how the reel works.  The whole "fabrication of parts" is kind of a Red Flag.  This tells me the owner was "in the reel" and who knows how careful for reassembly.  At this point replacing a lot of part$ (spool shaft, bearings, and whatever the original tensions washers are from the schematic).  Good luck, it should be pretty straightforward. - john

[boon]

I've seen them bend from too much drag on reels that were being fished with an inappropriate line class, or from breaking off snags while locking the spool up with a thumb plus the drag.
Always small chinese-made lever drags; the drag design is capable of huge pressures but the spool shafts are not, the steel they used is too soft. Quite a lot harder to do to a well-made reel with a proper tough spool shaft, but I guess not impossible.

[akfish]

The shaft on my HXW two speed bent when I fought a cow tuna on 100#. Fortunately, I got the fish in. The spool rubbed on the frame, something I didn't notice until I opened it up. I had Rocky do a rebuild which included a stronger and stiffer shaft and a pinion bearing that could tolerate extra drag. I've caught several fish on that upgraded reel -- but nothing bigger than 120#.

[Keta]

The shaft on my HXW two speed bent when I fought a cow tuna on 100#. Fortunately, I got the fish in. The spool rubbed on the frame, something I didn't notice until I opened it up. I had Rocky do a rebuild which included a stronger and stiffer shaft and a pinion bearing that could tolerate extra drag. I've caught several fish on that upgraded reel -- but nothing bigger than 120#.

I have seen people land mid size fish on HXW reels but I personally think that over 80# one needs to step up to a heavier built a reel like the Avet EX30.  I am also not a fan of wide reels for plus size fish. 

A heavier spool shaft is a good idea when pushing these reels hard.

[MarkT]

The shaft on my HXW two speed bent when I fought a cow tuna on 100#. Fortunately, I got the fish in. The spool rubbed on the frame, something I didn't notice until I opened it up. I had Rocky do a rebuild which included a stronger and stiffer shaft and a pinion bearing that could tolerate extra drag. I've caught several fish on that upgraded reel -- but nothing bigger than 120#.

Stronger shaft and pinion bearing? Sounds good... tell us more! My biggest fish on my HXW Raptor was a 128# jig BFT followed by an 80# Wahoo.