Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: thedw on June 16, 2014, 12:14:42 PM

Title: How to?? spacing shims for the drive gear?
Post by: thedw on June 16, 2014, 12:14:42 PM
hi all is there a way to determine how much spacing shims to add fo the drive gear??

the shims are the ones beside the main bearings on the drive gear axle.
Title: Re: How to?? spacing shims for the drive gear?
Post by: Tightlines667 on June 17, 2014, 12:04:54 AM
Depending on the reel model, you would add shim(a) under the main gear in order to 1)remove side play in the drive shaft; 2)ensure proper alignment between the main gear(s) and pinion.  You can determine this by visual examination after applying fresh grease, setting to desired strike range, and cranking handle a few times.  Disassemble reel and check grease displacement on gears and shim until they mesh/align perfectly.  Alternatively you can measure both pinion gear and main distance from pinion bearing and shim to match.  Sometimes shimming under the main requires a similar reduction in space under the pinion (between it and spool).  Consider shimming outside of reel (under handle) on main shaft as an alternative to reducing lateral play where appropriate (I.e. If gear alignment is good, and it does not interfere with shifting (in 2-speeds).  Basically this is a 'trial-and-error' process.

Hope that helps?

What reel make/model do you have?
Title: Re: How to?? spacing shims for the drive gear?
Post by: thedw on June 17, 2014, 05:22:25 AM
spinning reels mainly!
Title: Re: How to?? spacing shims for the drive gear?
Post by: Glos on October 08, 2018, 12:56:47 PM
Quote from: Tightlines666 on June 17, 2014, 12:04:54 AM
Depending on the reel model, you would add shim(a) under the main gear in order to 1)remove side play in the drive shaft; 2)ensure proper alignment between the main gear(s) and pinion.  You can determine this by visual examination after applying fresh grease, setting to desired strike range, and cranking handle a few times.  Disassemble reel and check grease displacement on gears and shim until they mesh/align perfectly. Alternatively you can measure both pinion gear and main distance from pinion bearing and shim to match.  Sometimes shimming under the main requires a similar reduction in space under the pinion (between it and spool).  Consider shimming outside of reel (under handle) on main shaft as an alternative to reducing lateral play where appropriate (I.e. If gear alignment is good, and it does not interfere with shifting (in 2-speeds).  Basically this is a 'trial-and-error' process.

Hope that helps?



What reel make/model do you have?

and how would one know what it looks like when it is perfectly aligned ?