Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: sebastianr240 on December 27, 2022, 04:57:19 AM

Title: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on December 27, 2022, 04:57:19 AM
If you have this reel please share your experience with using it!

Just picked one of these up today and having some mixed feelings

Can't deny it is smooooth, super quiet, and free spools forever.

The clicker. You can visibly see the button shaking when line is coming off and the clicker is engaged. When i hold the button down obviously the shaking stops and the clicker is louder. They are using a similar housing system to avet and i'm assuming that's the culprit. I looked inside and removed some excess grease from the clicker assembly which helped a bit but it's still not quite holding fully in place. Ordered the part from shimano for 0.99 cents to see if it was just a dud housing

I noticed the drag wasn't quite backing off all the way with the star all the way back.. assumed the washers were over greased and they sure were (pic attached).738CD615-DAEA-4231-8EE0-0122A4692D13.jpeg

 I took off some of the excess and that seemed to help a bit, but there seems to be a slight lag in the release of pressure when you back off the star. It takes a couple of inches of line to come off for the drag to decrease to its set pressure.



Overall, it seems like a solid reel that will last a long time. Just a shame that a $500 reel has these problems from the factory.

Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: alantani on December 27, 2022, 05:09:44 AM
in order to get to the spool bearings, the entire right side plate has to come apart, including the base plate.  it's like wearing overalls and you have to go to the bathroom.  not the easiest thing to do.   :-\
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: Cor on December 27, 2022, 05:14:01 AM
It's a mass produced reel and the fact that it is expensive may not have any bearing on the quality.

That having been said, they are very popular here, I've not heard any negative comments, I have only once serviced one that was very neglected, corroded and had a broken handle.   The corrosion left the reel looking cosmetically sick but no serious effects.

These reels cast a mile in the right hands.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on December 27, 2022, 05:21:06 AM
Quote from: alantani on December 27, 2022, 05:09:44 AMin order to get to the spool bearings, the entire right side plate has to come apart, including the base plate.  it's like wearing overalls and you have to go to the bathroom.  not the easiest thing to do.   :-\

I noticed that! I took off the set plate to inspect the wonky clicker. I still find this reel easier to maneuver than the old trinidad's, though.

Do you think the clicker button shaking is caused by the housing?
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on December 27, 2022, 05:21:40 AM
Quote from: Cor on December 27, 2022, 05:14:01 AMIt's a mass produced reel and the fact that it is expensive may not have any bearing on the quality.

That having been said, they are very popular here, I've not heard any negative comments, I have only once serviced one that was very neglected, corroded and had a broken handle.   The corrosion left the reel looking cosmetically sick but no serious effects.

These reels cast a mile in the right hands.

Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: Rocket Dog on December 28, 2022, 01:19:19 AM
I have a 20A and it's a really nice reel. I will share that on another forum, I have noticed that a lot of these reels 20a/30a come up for sale in just about in new condition which doesn't make too much sense.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: Gfish on December 28, 2022, 06:48:42 PM
Perhaps the drag washers are a bit bloated with grease or just so new that they haven't had a chance to compress a bit. After you leave the drag torqued for a whole day, a few times, the friction discs may compress a little.
I have yet to own a conventional with a "good"(JMO) quality clicker system. Rivets, springs that deform easily, weakly attached slide buttons, plastic parts, etc. Even most spinners don't seem put too much into the spool clickers.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on December 28, 2022, 08:27:52 PM
Quote from: Gfish on December 28, 2022, 06:48:42 PMPerhaps the drag washers are a bit bloated with grease or just so new that they haven't had a chance to compress a bit. After you leave the drag torqued for a whole day, a few times, the friction discs may compress a little.
I have yet to own a conventional with a "good"(JMO) quality clicker system. Rivets, springs that deform easily, weakly attached slide buttons, plastic parts, etc. Even most spinners don't seem put too much into the spool clickers.

They just can't stick to what works. Clickers in old speedmasters, tld, and tld stars are bulletproof imo. Unless you're one that enjoys to keep the clicker on the whole trip.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: Gfish on December 28, 2022, 08:41:47 PM
Yeah, forgot about the TLD I have. Even the tough-old Penn conventional's; the wear factor on the pawl and those circular springs that deform.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on December 28, 2022, 08:56:17 PM
Quote from: Gfish on December 28, 2022, 08:41:47 PMYeah, forgot about the TLD I have. Even the tough-old Penn conventional's; the wear factor on the pawl and those circular springs that deform.

I've never had any issues. But i bet you fish more than me. Thanks for your insight
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on December 29, 2022, 01:39:17 AM
Ok. I cleaned off all the washers from the stock shimano grease just using a paper towel then applied Cal's. The problem is still persisting. After further testing i realized the drag refuses to back off all the way unless i give the handle a couple of turns, It doesn't matter how much line is pulled off manually. Can anyone think of what could be causing this?

I know it's not the star, square plate or spring because even with these parts completely removed, the drag won't loosen up unless the drive shaft is given a few turns.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: handi2 on December 29, 2022, 03:07:56 AM
That is strange. I've been through plenty of them.

I wipe all the grease off of the Carbontex washer's just like a lever drag reel .

I wipe all of the grease off on a towel
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on December 29, 2022, 05:47:02 PM
I think i'm gonna try again but this time use a brush and some brake cleaner to get all of the grease completely out
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: handi2 on December 29, 2022, 09:10:54 PM
I rub it all off like for a lever drag.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: Gfish on December 30, 2022, 07:27:34 PM
Noticed the eared metal drag washer on these, has the "ears" slightly bent and they'er supposed to bend towards the gear. If they were backward, that could be an issue, maybe?

I like the reel. Looks both refined and tough. A lot of bearings, though. Equals more detailed maintenance. Definitely don't need a bearing in the knob, bushings there are best for me.
What looked cool was the brake-plate shield. Do you know/think It would keep water from getting in through the spool and contaminating gears, drag parts, bearings, etc.?
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: handi2 on December 30, 2022, 10:41:26 PM
The original ones were a separate frame and side plates

Now to preservice the reels takes forever!
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on January 02, 2023, 05:10:49 AM
I'm just glad they got rid of the click spring, spent more time trying to get it back in place or looking for it after it projectiles out than actually servicing the reel. Haha
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on January 03, 2023, 01:09:51 AM
So like i think i said earlier i just took the stock shimano grease off and applied cals and that seemed to fix the problem for the most part. However it still persists a little.

I tried to check out my other star drags to see if they did this.. all my star drags except one do it. Some more than others.

trinidad's (gold and silver), torium, and an old speedmaster all do it.

One of my speedmasters doesn't seem to do this at all.

My theory is that it comes down to small tolerance differences in the drag washers. I know the amount of grease in the drags plays a role too, but I think the tolerances are what is causing it, since in most cases the excess is squeezed out of the drags with pressure.

This problem i'm referring to is probably something most users wouldn't even notice in the reel through regular use, I am just a little ocd perfectionist.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 01:25:08 AM
Just remember to wipe all the grease of by rubbing them in a towel
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on January 03, 2023, 01:44:44 AM
Quote from: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 01:25:08 AMJust remember to wipe all the grease of by rubbing them in a towel

I was very thorough!

You didn't happen to get those avet parts returned back to you by any chance did you?
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 11:07:28 AM
Quote from: sebastianr240 on January 03, 2023, 01:44:44 AM
Quote from: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 01:25:08 AMJust remember to wipe all the grease of by rubbing them in a towel

I was very thorough!

You didn't happen to get those avet parts returned back to you by any chance did you?

No, I have not received them back. I will send some more, but I'll have to put it in a priority mailbox.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on January 03, 2023, 04:19:12 PM
Quote from: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 11:07:28 AM
Quote from: sebastianr240 on January 03, 2023, 01:44:44 AM
Quote from: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 01:25:08 AMJust remember to wipe all the grease of by rubbing them in a towel

I was very thorough!

You didn't happen to get those avet parts returned back to you by any chance did you?

No, I have not received them back. I will send some more, but I'll have to put it in a priority mailbox.

Thanks a ton Keith. I'll be more than happy to pay for shipping costs. If the parts ever come up i'll send them back to you as well if you'd like!
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 11:43:05 PM
Quote from: sebastianr240 on January 03, 2023, 04:19:12 PM
Quote from: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 11:07:28 AM
Quote from: sebastianr240 on January 03, 2023, 01:44:44 AM
Quote from: handi2 on January 03, 2023, 01:25:08 AMJust remember to wipe all the grease of by rubbing them in a towel

I was very thorough!

You didn't happen to get those avet parts returned back to you by any chance did you?

No, I have not received them back. I will send some more, but I'll have to put it in a priority mailbox.

Thanks a ton Keith. I'll be more than happy to pay for shipping costs. If the parts ever come up i'll send them back to you as well if you'd like!

I'll try to get it done tomorrow. I have a minor surgery scheduled for tomorrow
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on January 04, 2023, 03:01:00 AM
Thanks! Please take your time, hope all goes well with the surgery.

Please make out the package to Juan Rothman so we can avoid any return to sender problems. I appreciate you a ton!
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: boon on January 05, 2023, 12:07:31 AM
I don't fully understand the issue... when you back the drag star off you can't get to zero drag?
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on January 05, 2023, 01:49:18 AM
Quote from: boon on January 05, 2023, 12:07:31 AMI don't fully understand the issue... when you back the drag star off you can't get to zero drag?

Basically yes. Drag doesn't want to go to zero if i don't turn the handle slightly. It's much more noticeable if drag is decreased with tension on the line. Star can be backed all the way off and there is still some drag. Then you turn the handle and the spool frees up and spins. I could post a video if you're interested, it's quite an interesting phenomenon.
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: handi2 on January 09, 2023, 09:02:10 PM
I've had some health issues

Another set will be mailed tomorrow.

I'm using a priority mail box this time.

Keith 8C1727FB-258B-4330-AE98-C8211C15EDEA.jpeg8C1727FB-258B-4330-AE98-C8211C15EDEA.jpeg 
Title: Re: new trinidad 30a impressions (share your thoughts!)
Post by: sebastianr240 on January 10, 2023, 06:33:39 AM
Thanks a ton Keith,

Hope you're feeling better, sending prayers your way.

Sebastian

I'd love to cover the cost of the shipping, send me a pm