Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Just received a Penn Mag Force 980 from EBAY. In Box never used....trying to get this reel apart to replace drag washers and just go through ewverything.
I can't get this apart. I took all the screws out on the non handle side and four frame screws on the handle side. Removed Handle and Star Drag. The side plates will not seperate
Have the side plates soaking with WD40. I don't want to use a screw driver to pry them apart so I don't crack the plastic /  Bakelite sides. Any Ideas ?
Thanks
Rick

the black plastic side plates will tap out separately from the gold rings.  the rings themselves are screwed to the cross bars separately.   and welcome!!!!!

Like Alan said, the gold rings are screwed to the stand and cross bars separately.  You need to separate the black side plates from the gold rings next.  Try applying some force to the spool in both either direction to pop the side plates off.

Oh yeah, welcome aboard!

Nope !!!! can't seem to loosen them up. Spraying the side plates with WD40!!! Don't understand, there is no Salt Corrosion any were on the reel it's like brand new.
Ebay said never used !!!!! Yea and the Easter Bunny swore to it also. Stripped all the line off of it and the spool is in excellent shape. The line was really heavy, will use it for my Weed Wacker.

Rick

Throw them in the freezer overnight. The plastic will shrink enough to get them out. Use the spool to apply pressure to the bearing cup so you get even pressure. Whatever you be super careful putting in the side plate screws. If you over tighten them you will break the side plate. Very careful cause those things are brittle

Those sideplates are stubborn.  The freezer will probably work.  I push on the spool sides with my thumbs to push the sideplate out.  Don't pry them!

P.S. Welcome to a new level of awesome in the vintage Penn world. 

OK Reel is in the Freezer  I let you know how I make Out.
Thanks
Rick

Quote from: RickK1948 on April 13, 2018, 12:03:50 AM
OK Reel is in the Freezer  I let you know how I make Out.
Thanks
Rick

Half an hour should be more than enough time.  Good luck, and be firm but gentle

Alright Success !!!!! The Freezer Trick Worked !!!!! Thanks Guy's !!!!!!
Used a wood dowel and a little rubber hammer and lightly tapped around the edges and they came right off.
I'm really impressed with the Build Quality of this reel. I have a collection of ABU's 5500, 6500, & 7500 CS & CT
reels all made in Sweden and although great reels, they don't even come close to the Build of this reel. This thing is a Tank.
I already ordered some spare parts from Scott's Bait & Tackle, so I would have them on hand when the reel came in so
now I'm going to break everything down, clean and lube and install new HT-100 Carbon Drag washers. Even ordered new Shiny
Chrome Spacer bars to replace the Black ones that came stock. The bearings are different then what I'm used to. Looks like they are pressed in the
bearing cups. I'll just soak them in lighter fluid, add a drop of yellow rocket fuel and leave well enough alone.
Should I grease the Drag washers ?? I have Cal's Reel grease but I never used it on the drag washers before.
I'll post pictures when I get this all together.

Thanks
Rick



 

Hello Rick, when assembling the plates absolutely no power tools on these. I'm 100% sure the power drivers are damaging the screw holes on some that I've seen.
Yes, do use Cal's on drag washers, just a light coat will do.
There are also stainless steel spacer bars, but you might be too late. these laast for a very long time.
https://squareup.com/store/pro-challenger-llc/item/stainless-steel-cross-bar-for-penn?square_lead=item_embed

Sal

Well Everything is back together. Had a little trouble getting the Anti Reverse Dog & spring back in, but otherwise ok.
I had to soak the drag metal washers in denatured alcohol to get the fiber washers off. I'll spool it up with Berkley BG #20
tie on a #60 shock leader and give it a try on my Rainshadow 13' heaver. Here are some pic's.

Thanks For the Help Guys
Rick

Quote from: RickK1948 on April 14, 2018, 11:04:34 AM
Well Everything is back together. Had a little trouble getting the Anti Reverse Dog & spring back in, but otherwise ok.
I had to soak the drag metal washers in denatured alcohol to get the fiber washers off. I'll spool it up with Berkley BG #20
tie on a #60 shock leader and give it a try on my Rainshadow 13' heaver. Here are some pic's.

Thanks For the Help Guys
Rick

Sweet.  That's a great reel for a heaver. There is a guy on the site working on a finger-adjustable magnet for the 970/980/990.   Where do you fish?  /Joe

That's a beauty of a reel,great job. That reel will fish much heavier line if you want but 20lb should be great. Nice job. Hoping to see some fish pictures with it!

At present I'm selling my home in NE PA. will be moving to Stuart Fla. hopefully by June.
Also have a place in Black Lake NY. Will spend from May thru the end of September in NY. and
winter in Stuart, FLA.
That adjustable Mag for the 980 sounds great.....let me know.
Thanks
Rick

Quote from: RickK1948 on April 14, 2018, 01:47:07 PM
At present I'm selling my home in NE PA. will be moving to Stuart Fla. hopefully by June.
Also have a place in Black Lake NY. Will spend from May thru the end of September in NY. and
winter in Stuart, FLA.
That adjustable Mag for the 980 sounds great.....let me know.
Thanks
Rick

I was guessing from the rod/reel setup that you might be in the North East   I'm in Phila area.  You won't need that Rainshadow in Florida so it you want to sell it, PM me.  Some guys on this site have compared the strength of that reel to a 113H.  You could handle some monsters in Florida with it.  I'll let you know when  Chad shows his Penn Mag adjuster.