Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Like I said the pictures help a great deal. I'm not the expert here but it sure looks like that left side bushing is shot. I know this sounds like hind site however when you were talking about tightening that let side spool tensioner  adjustment and nothing improved, I wanted to say I have never heard of that happening simply because that is used to slow the rotation of the spool and always has lots of adjustment.

If you had another known good reel to switch out parts with -- you could likely get the solution.

I suspect (1) bad bearing, or both.  Although it is likely the right side.

And then clean up the spool ends with a little fine Emory tape, "0000" steel wool, and Never-Dull.

About a month ago I had a similar issue -- and knew all parts were in place properly -- after having the reel back apart a couple of times -- I switched out the spool as a last resort -- and that took care of the issue.

Funny thing, the old spool looked perfect -- but was somehow tweaked at the end.

Good luck,

Fred

It's not used to slow the rotation of the spool, it is only used to support the spool  & as an adjustment for side play of the spool. Using it as a drag to limit free spool is a sure way to ruin the bearings. It is not a cast control. The problem is the RIGHT bearing because the left bearing adjustment knob was probably used as a cast control at one time. This reel does NOT have bushings it has ball bearings.

Quote from: RowdyW on May 26, 2015, 12:43:52 AM
It's not used to slow the rotation of the spool, it is only used to support the spool  & as an adjustment for side play of the spool. Using it as a drag to limit free spool is a sure way to ruin the bearings. It is not a cast control. The problem is the RIGHT bearing because the left bearing adjustment knob was probably used as a cast control at one time. This reel does NOT have bushings it has ball bearings.

I hate to disagree with you on the adjusting screw but even the reel manufactures tell you to adjust tension on the spool adjustment just enough to slow the drop of the plug or weight so it doesn't free fall to the ground, I'm not suggesting that someone crank that adjustment down to its max. I have been doing that for years and have never had a problem with wear, but again I don't get gorilla on it either.   

Maybe on a reel that has a cast control but not on a Special Senator.  Better reread the instructions from Penn.

I only tightened the screw all the way when I was testing if this was the problem. that didn't help.

To summarize what I gather is cause of the problem either:

1- left side bearing:
          ->could it be the screw itself?

2- right side bearing :
         -> my guess is that's unlikely based on the fact that the gap is on the right side. which means that the left side is not pushing the spool enough to fill the gap. also that might         explain the clicking noise after cranking as I  think the spool is hitting the pinion gear and not sitting all the way in.

3- the spool is faulty:
        a-> could be the shaft is broken or missing a piece
        b-> shaft is bent. unlikely since it doesn't seem bent visually. but I could be wrong.

Quote from: foakes on May 26, 2015, 12:39:06 AM
If you had another known good reel to switch out parts with -- you could likely get the solution.

Agree I wish I had another reel to switch parts with to pin down the problem.
To rule out option 3 - a, could someone please provide measurements for the length of the spool shaft on both sides of the spool. from the point of contact with the cylindrical part(spool) till the end.


 

Quote from: RowdyW on May 26, 2015, 02:08:51 AM
Maybe on a reel that has a cast control but not on a Special Senator.  Better reread the instructions from Penn.

Yes you are right in as the penn senators are specific for large game fish and not designed for casting plugs or light bait. Thanks for straightening me out.

Typically, a spool will not wear short on the end shafts -- so my confidence is low that it can be diagnosed that way -- I could be wrong.

If you don't make any headway -- consider just sending me the reel.

I will check it out, switch out any parts necessary, document with pics what we discover -- then get it back to you right away -- serviced and ready to go.

Then we will all learn something -- instead of guessing.

No Charge on any parts or service -- just glad to help.

If you decide to go this route -- PM me and I will give you my mailing address.

Best,

Fred

Thank you foakes for the kind offer. I think I figured it out. Something must have been missing from the left side screw. When I shuved a piece of rubber in there and tightened the screw it created the necessary pressure on the left side to balance the spool. I'll see how that holds. I might take your offer later if that proved to be wrong.

Thanks again everybody

Will post an update with the results.

Quote from: castamile on May 28, 2015, 06:45:41 AM
Thank you foakes for the kind offer. I think I figured it out. Something must have been missing from the left side screw. When I shuved a piece of rubber in there and tightened the screw it created the necessary pressure on the left side to balance the spool. I'll see how that holds. I might take your offer later if that proved to be wrong.

Thanks again everybody

Will post an update with the results.

Not for nothing,but I think you should take Fred up on his offer. I say that because a piece of rubber stuffed into where ever is not going to solve the problem in the long run.

Hi castamile --

Glad you are making progress.

Offer still goes anytime -- or you can learn quite a bit more by working on it, as you are doing.

If you are intending to fish the reel -- it should be brought up to proper snuff -- otherwise you will just be waiting for the clever makeshift fix to fail.  

And a failure may occur when you have a monster fish on the line.

A general rule is to never assume -- instead: listen, observe, investigate, correct issues -- complete job, and you move on ahead to the next patient.  Do the same procedure every time -- and pretty soon you will be teaching us!

It is likely the left bearing -- but there might also be other parts worn or needing replacement.  The rubber shim up of the left bearing may put the spool in place -- but it could also be the right bearing, or?

Glad for your progress.

Best,

Fred

Fred is so much more eloquent with his response then I was    

Quote from: Alto Mare on May 25, 2015, 05:11:35 PM
Castamile, from looking at you pics i'm going to guess its your right side bearing. It could also be something  else as mentioned above, but that bearing doesn't look right to me.
Assemble the reel and using your hand move the spool to the right ( handle side ), if you see a gap on the opposite side, your right side bearing and probably the bearing cup are bad.
The spool should be centered, having the same space on both sides, if a shim in needed, do as Rudy mentioned.
I don't like to use aluminum, I usually use a piece of stainless steel from shimming material.

Sal

I agree with Sal, i will also add, you are supposed to have some
play in a spool once properly centered.

Take out bearings put them in a jar of lighter fuel for 10-15 minutes,
take out and dry off on kitchen roll, then add two small drops of
red rocket fuel, please do not grease bearings as it basically is not
needed like some might think it is.

Now before you put those bearings back in place test them
on the long end of a screw driver and they should run smoothly,
if not throw then in the bin.

Remember to center the spool.

Any chance the non-handle bearing is the wrong part? I've bought a few 114s off the internet that had the wrong part in there but it didn't allow play in the spool like yours. I have a Senator 117 that has some spool play that I noticed. I was going to try and fix it this week. I'll let you know if I figure anything out.

I've seen a few 14/0's with lots of side way play with the spool, those will definitely need shims, some will take a few.