Print Page - Penn International 80 VSW Spool doesnt engage and handle stiff

Title: Penn International 80 VSW Spool doesnt engage and handle stiff
Post by: franky on September 22, 2022, 02:27:20 AM

Hello all,

the reel has excellent freespool. The CAM area is cleaned and functioning. I changed the big bearing on the handle side that sits under the CAM area.

From freespool, when I gradually move the lever up, the spool is not engaging at all. on the lower settings, the handle moves nicely. Then as I increase the lever up towards Strike the handle now binds and is hard to turn. The spool at this point still does not turn. What is the problem?

Title: Re: Penn International 80 VSW Spool doesnt engage and handle stiff
Post by: alantani on September 22, 2022, 03:03:51 AM

pinion bearing.....

Title: Re: Penn International 80 VSW Spool doesnt engage and handle stiff
Post by: franky on September 22, 2022, 05:08:05 AM

Which bearing is the pinion bearing? I already changed the bearing under the Cam Adjusting Screw. The only other bearing closeby is the right side spool bearing. Is that the one?

Title: Re: Penn International 80 VSW Spool doesnt engage and handle stiff
Post by: alantani on September 22, 2022, 05:05:21 PM

the pinion bearing is the one that you already changed. and it still acts up???? is there any possibility that you installed a bad bearing? this is really odd. what you describe is classic for a bad pinion bearing.

i had to check, and the 80 vsw is a "push" system. it is also possible that the outer drive plate 117D is bottoming out against the bearing #55 on the left side plate. if you add a thin shim washer between the two, it might take care of the problem. well, if that is in fact the problem..... :-\

https://www.mysticparts.com/Assets/images/pennparts/schematics/80vsw.pdf

Title: Re: Penn International 80 VSW Spool doesnt engage and handle stiff
Post by: franky on September 23, 2022, 08:22:06 PM

Thanks Alan,

You were right, I tried again and switched out the big bearing under the CAM adjuster with another (second attempt) bearing and yes, that other bearing I used was somehow not working but the when changed, it now works. :-\

I dont know why when I first changed that bearing it did not work. Mysteriously, when I changed it out again, it is nice. :d

Thanks Alan.

Title: Re: Penn International 80 VSW Spool doesnt engage and handle stiff
Post by: alantani on September 24, 2022, 01:27:51 AM

welcome to my world...... :-\

Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn International Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: franky on September 22, 2022, 02:27:20 AM