Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Spinning Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => General Spinning Reel Questions => Topic started by: jgp12000 on September 24, 2024, 11:20:43 AM

Title: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: jgp12000 on September 24, 2024, 11:20:43 AM
Is there a trick to installing the bail trip shaft/spring in modern spinning reels? I don't do this much probably only twice before, as I primarily fish with my vintage reels. I have several Lew's spinners, but I believe all modern spinners use the same type bail setup. (Key # 20 & 21 on schematic)
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: jgp12000 on September 24, 2024, 01:55:50 PM
Well guys this a.m. with coffee & not being dog tired, thinking clearly, it was simple easy peasy when I used my noggin...
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: thorhammer on September 24, 2024, 03:08:13 PM
Yeah, it's easy....use old reels, and spray corrosion X in there without taking apart!  I try NEVER to take those apart. 50/50, I will have to send to Fred to clean up behind me.
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on September 24, 2024, 04:28:52 PM
Yeah I'll be honest, if it's working just fine when I get it, I allow it to continue working just fine by not disassembling it.

Alcohol in a spray bottle, and a lightly greased acid brush swiped around a few minutes later is usually all it needs. Of course if it's not functioning properly after that, it's time to take it apart.

I have in the past gotten it wrong. So I'll always be gun shy.
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: jgp12000 on September 24, 2024, 04:53:33 PM
This bail weren't closing so I gave it a few drops of Lucas reel  oil.I had to hold my mouf right & study the physics then asked myself
What would Fred do? When I held the upper part of the spring & bail arm together while placing on the pivot point & tightened the screw down the bottom of the spring just went right in it's hole.Curved tweezers helps,my go-to reel tool.
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: Gfish on September 24, 2024, 05:45:41 PM
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 24, 2024, 04:28:52 PMYeah I'll be honest, if it's working just fine when I get it, I allow it to continue working just fine by not disassembling it.

Alcohol in a spray bottle, and a lightly greased acid brush swiped around a few minutes later is usually all it needs. Of course if it's not functioning properly after that, it's time to take it apart.

I have in the past gotten it wrong. So I'll always be gun shy.

You gotta fail at some things, at least the first time you try. Trial and error is a great if not humbling, teacher.
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: Midway Tommy on September 24, 2024, 06:06:54 PM
Bail spring adjustment or replacement really isn't that big of an ordeal. One's fear is the biggest obstacle. Most are relatively simple once you've done a couple and get the hang of it. Every reel I obtain or service has the bail parts completely disassembled and the bail spring cleaned, adjusted & lubed. I'll bet Fred follows a very similar process. It's part of a basic standard spinning reel service.

The one suggestion I will make is to never use grease on a bail spring. There are many much better lubricants to use on them. All grease does is slow the action down and collect dirt, sand and grime.
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: jgp12000 on September 24, 2024, 06:14:17 PM
Yes Tom this is a modern reel they
Have trip shafts instead of levers
i.e. bail can be closed by hand if you wish.It's tricky sometimes to get the spring to stay in the bail arm without a cold beverage...
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: Midway Tommy on September 25, 2024, 03:30:44 AM
Quote from: jgp12000 on September 24, 2024, 06:14:17 PMYes Tom this is a modern reel they
Have trip shafts instead of levers
i.e. bail can be closed by hand if you wish.It's tricky sometimes to get the spring to stay in the bail arm without a cold beverage...

I try to avoid the Asian made modern spinning reels as much as possible, but I have actually worked on a couple for special acquaintances. I didn't find them terribly difficult to take bail mechanisms apart and service. What I did find quite annoying was figuring out how to get to the hidden screws to get to the innards & gear train. I also didn't care for the fact that the body screws were tapped directly into the graphite/plastic bodies. When I told one friend about that issue and that I wasn't going to be responsible if the threading stripped out or casting broke he decided to forgo any service. He decided to just use the reel until it quit and then just throw it away.  :o   ::)    
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: jgp12000 on September 25, 2024, 04:32:08 AM
In udder wurds-they ain't Cardinals
Title: Re: Bail trip shaft/spring
Post by: Midway Tommy on September 25, 2024, 03:30:54 PM
Quote from: jgp12000 on September 25, 2024, 04:32:08 AMIn udder wurds-they ain't Cardinals

VERY TRUE! Not even close.  ;)