VISX 12 not going out of gear

[JK47]

Intermittently when sliding the drag lever to free spool it doesn't cooperate and takes a few repeated attempts, and noticeably pops when it does.

[alantani]

one possibility is a bearing getting stuck.  there is a bearing in the center of the drag pressure plate. normally, a return spring will pop the pressure plate away from the drag washer when the lever is pushed back to the free position.  it might be hanging up because of corrosion. 

[JK47]

one possibility is a bearing getting stuck.  there is a bearing in the center of the drag pressure plate. normally, a return spring will pop the pressure plate away from the drag washer when the lever is pushed back to the free position.  it might be hanging up because of corrosion. 

I took it apart, cleaned everything up, oiled the spool bearings while they were accessible, greased the pressure plate bearing (didn't feel bad prior to cleaning), buttoned it up, and got over 2:30min of free spool... Issue still there.

Looked closer at what was actually happening when clicking out of gear, and drag adjustment knob appeared not to be releasing back to the left unless slammed into free spool. Took knob and cam follower off and under more careful observation noticed the upper edges of the hexagon on the sideplate that clocks the cam follower were slightly rounded and worn (the base was still flat and true), almost like a stripped bolt head... I tried gently filing down the deformities and it helped a little, but would still hang up the follower unless the lever was slammed down. So I guess the follower is getting wedged on the rounded top portion to the right when drag is engaged and takes some finagling to release to the left, if that makes sense.

To sum it up, I bought the reel used for a decent deal years ago (haven't fished since, getting back into it currently) and can either live with it or spend $200 for a new side plate...

Thanks for kicking my butt into gear to open it up and look closer, sorry for posting in the wrong forum, should have been in the "Penn International."

[alantani]

any chance that you are in the san francisco bay area?

[JK47]

any chance that you are in the san francisco bay area?

Just down the road in Huntington Beach

[alantani]

there is a fix.  i'll send you a pm. 

[alantani]

there is a way to flare out and expand the hexagonal part of the side plate. alek will try it later this week.  hopefully, he can post some pictures. 

[JK47]

Alan was gracious enough to contact me by phone and after a brief technical interview we agreed I would attempt the fix. Thankfully before I tried to complete his instruction, he reached back out and asked if I had a hydraulic press, which would make it easier. I do have a small bench top 6ton H-frame!!

Here we go


Mutilated area in question after cleaning up with a file


Socket on backside to support side plate during pressing


Alan suggested a hex would be ideal to push out the material uniformly to fit the (#141) cam follower. I used a  3/16" hex bit and it went in like butter, but there was still a little play when the follower rode up.


Alan also suggested a tapered punch which I tried next because I was having difficulty lining up the next size up hex bit I had.


Alan recommended to mount the cam follower while pressing to help guide the expansion of the side plate. However he mentioned I might over do it and it would get stuck, and gave instruction on how to mitigate the issue if it arose. Fortunately I took it easy and I was able to pull the cam follower off by hand when it started to stick.

After having a few hiccups getting it all back together, the fix worked like a charm!!

[MACflyer]

Nice! Glad you were able to repair it with Alan's guidance. $200 for a new side-plate would have ruined the good deal on the reel.