Hey everyone! So I require some expert advice. In the barn I have discovered a reel I am not at all familiar with, a DAM Quick 550. It has been sitting in place for at least 20 years, probably substantially longer. Incredibly (😂) it is seized up. I was able to remove the handle and main gear however the shaft is completely frozen to the pinion gear and/or the bearing. I say 'and/or' because I can't tell to which the shaft is stuck to. I have the little block piece unscrewed so the shaft 'should' simply pull out. I have soaked the entire piece in a bowl of vinegar for a
12 hours to hopefully eat any rust, and then in WD-40 for 48 hours. Needless to say, here I am without either solution having made any impact. I have gently tapped on top of the shaft in hopes of breaking it free enough to extract. In other words, I've exhausted the ideas in my toolbox. I am hesitant to break out the extreme heat, normally I would consider hitting it with a butane torch but I am afraid of warping or ruining the entire reel. I'm looking for options for saving this reel. It is very important to me.
If it was on my bench --
1) Patience
2) Remove the entire bail assembly -- this will minimize collateral damage
3) Make sure the soft connecting block has the screw removed
4) The rotor cannot be removed until the spool axle is removed first -- so we must deal with it as is
5) While the bearing may be rusted or corroded also -- the issue is the spool axle being rusted or corroded to the inside if the worm drive pinion -- the bearing is attached to the exterior of the drive pinion -- so if the spool axle shaft is not moving forward and back -- it must be freed
6) Liberally drip a good penetrating oil or rust remover lubricant onto the top of the spool shaft -- and let it penetrate for perhaps 24 hours. If no loosening, do the same with the bottom of the shaft inside the casing. Another 24 hours, perhaps.
7) If no loosening -- find two hex nuts of the proper metric size -- thread them down fully onto the spool shaft -- reattach the handle, main gear, sideplate and the three long screws
8) Apply a deep socket to the nuts you installed on the shaft -- turning clockwise with the socket and ratchet or "T" bar -- while holding the handle back -- should loosen up the shaft if it is possible
9) Once it comes loose, it can be removed -- along with the rotor and all other washers next -- then pop the bearing holder with a pair of pin ring removers -- if the bearing is stubborn to remove -- attach the rotor hex nut -- then use a crescent wrench to get under the nut and tap out the bearing and pinion together
10) Removing the bearing from the drive pinion just requires a block of wood drilled -- drop the pinion drive gear into the hole -- then using a nylon faced hammer -- just drive the pinion down and off the bearing
11) Now it will take a good clean up of the bearing (pop the shields off, you won't need them anymore, discard shields) -- the spool axle, and the interior and exterior of the drive pinion
12) If all can be cleaned to pristine, burnished, polished, lubed with synthetic oil on the spool shaft, and a combo of good grease mixed with TSI321 on the bearing -- and operates well and smoothly -- you are good
13) If any issues, you may need 1, 2, or 3 of the following parts -- spool axle, main bearing, or drive pinion
Hopefully this will work -- if not, I have a few new parts available -- so no worries.
Best of luck -- and let us know how you fare...
Best,
Fred
Wow. That nut/socket idea did the trick quickly! Everything looks like it's in good condition so I'm gonna soak/clean everything up and see how she does once it's all together again. That's such a simple fix, can't believe I didn't think of it!! Thank you very much for your help!!!
Glad you handled it so quickly --
These are very high quality, tough, HD reels.
No pot metal gears -- or weak drive trains.
If set up properly, you can use it for the next 40 years with just routine service every couple of years, or so.
Good work!
Best,
Fred