Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn Senator Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: fishingsarasota on April 28, 2013, 10:47:23 PM

Title: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: fishingsarasota on April 28, 2013, 10:47:23 PM
Hey guys, I've been a long time lurker and reader of tutorials and came across a problem today while rebuilding a friends 115. Just some background on the reel, I'm not sure how old it is but it has the capped bearings (not the nut style), a red handle, chromed brass spool, and a steel main gear. When he bought it, there was some gear noise. After a thorough cleaning Alan style, including a bearing pack since we use these reels to kayak baits off the beaches, I checked all of the components. Neither the main or pinion gear showed showed much, if any, wear. Once I put it back together the gear noise persists. Any ideas on what it could be? I've heard the steel gears aren't as smooth as brass for a couple reasons, but they shouldn't be as loud as they are..

Thanks!
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: Keta on April 28, 2013, 10:56:58 PM
Did you grease the gears?
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: fishingsarasota on April 29, 2013, 12:52:28 AM
Yes sir, I did. I am a fan of Super Lube by the way.
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: fishingsarasota on April 29, 2013, 01:40:44 AM
Also if it helps at all, I have cleaned a few of these reels, but all have been 115l's with brass gears or the China made 115L2's.
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: Keta on April 29, 2013, 02:26:33 AM
The steel gears will be louder than the brass main gear.
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: fishingsarasota on April 30, 2013, 04:51:36 AM
Rebuilt it again to save my sanity during finals week. Still has an almost whirring sound when reeled. Everything is in place, as it should be and the reel functions fine, with the exception of the noise.
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: alantani on April 30, 2013, 04:15:57 PM
it does not take much wear for these gears to start getting noisy. 
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: broadway on April 30, 2013, 07:13:33 PM
FS,
    Stick with the steel gear (if you're willing to open her regularly)... it's louder but stronger. Also, make sure you have a nice amount of grease or else :o
It's naturally going to rust and wear worse than the pinion as the pinion is stainless, but with plenty of grease on the main and pinion I haven't had a problem with mine for 2 years.
I bought about 5 steel main gears for $14 a piece about 2 years ago due to the shortage of stainless gears and the fact that I can maintain them myself (thanks to our chairman, Alan and some other A-team members) . It balanced the cost of the 5 sets of accurates for $80  :'(
PS- When I got a screamer on I can't hear the gears over my heartbeat ;)
Dom
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: fishingsarasota on April 30, 2013, 07:26:35 PM
Sounds good, thanks for the responses guys. The steel gear makes me think of going the monster 9/0 route with double dogs, stainless sleeve, etc. By the way, I have seen a lack of a 115 breakdown on the site and will make an attempt at putting one together once I get home from finals.
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: broadway on April 30, 2013, 07:35:43 PM
They would all be nice upgrades but a Pete Kolekar or other quality handle is a definite if you're hoisting decent fish.
Dom
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: fishingsarasota on May 01, 2013, 01:31:20 AM
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/408142_374501189330976_2112964286_n.jpg)

This was my last 9/0 bull..   ;D
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: Alto Mare on May 01, 2013, 01:42:02 AM
Very nice Fishingsarasota, thanks for showing what these reels can do.
How much did it weight?
Sal

By the way, which one are you in the picture.
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: Bryan Young on May 01, 2013, 02:02:58 AM
Wow, that's a big shark
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: broadway on May 01, 2013, 02:47:46 AM
Wow! I would like to know what beach you're fishing... so I don't go swimming there not to steal your spot ;D
Yeah, I would say you may wanna upgrade a bit ;)
Impressive fish and notoriously angry, too.
Stay safe
Dom
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: Keta on May 01, 2013, 03:09:31 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: Bill B on May 01, 2013, 03:38:53 AM
I think you might need a bigger kayak.....nice fish ;D
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: alantani on May 01, 2013, 06:18:41 AM
i'm staying out of the water!   ;D
Title: Re: Penn 9/0 115
Post by: fishingsarasota on May 01, 2013, 05:20:36 PM
I'm the one on the left with the headlamp and blue shirt. As for size, he was in the 8ft range and probably weighed in the 250-300lb area.