Is the pinion gear on this reel supposed to be free on the spool shaft or "locked" to the shaft? Working on one for a friend and this one is locked. I'm thinking it is seized onto the shaft (not sure why it would be locked purposely) but I've seen weirder designs. If seized, what is best way to loosen it without harming shaft or gear? Thanks.
i have the 60 and it should be free, look at this tutorial on the 60;
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=27.0
Took a short piece of heavy plastic tubing and fit it over the pinion and held it with a pliers, then tapped the shaft out. Polished it up and works like a charm.
consider replacing the bearing if it is rough at all.
Which bearing are you referring to Alan? It's a little on the loud side but it sounds more like the gears not meshing very well. The spool bearings on either end of the spool and under the cast control cap are really smooth, and of course I can't see the one inside the spool but it feels great too. And I did replace the AR bearing as it was slipping. Can't believe for that reel and several others they don't offer just the bearing, you have to buy the whole sideplate with the bearing pressed in.
sorry, wrong reel. i was thinking of the pinion support bearing in the daiwa and shimano reels.
glad it worked out... :)