Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Intermittently when sliding the drag lever to free spool it doesn't cooperate and takes a few repeated attempts, and noticeably pops when it does.

one possibility is a bearing getting stuck.  there is a bearing in the center of the drag pressure plate. normally, a return spring will pop the pressure plate away from the drag washer when the lever is pushed back to the free position.  it might be hanging up because of corrosion. 

Quote from: alantani on September 08, 2026, 04:37:39 AMone possibility is a bearing getting stuck.  there is a bearing in the center of the drag pressure plate. normally, a return spring will pop the pressure plate away from the drag washer when the lever is pushed back to the free position.  it might be hanging up because of corrosion. 

I took it apart, cleaned everything up, oiled the spool bearings while they were accessible, greased the pressure plate bearing (didn't feel bad prior to cleaning), buttoned it up, and got over 2:30min of free spool... Issue still there.

Looked closer at what was actually happening when clicking out of gear, and drag adjustment knob appeared not to be releasing back to the left unless slammed into free spool. Took knob and cam follower off and under more careful observation noticed the upper edges of the hexagon on the sideplate that clocks the cam follower were slightly rounded and worn (the base was still flat and true), almost like a stripped bolt head... I tried gently filing down the deformities and it helped a little, but would still hang up the follower unless the lever was slammed down. So I guess the follower is getting wedged on the rounded top portion to the right when drag is engaged and takes some finagling to release to the left, if that makes sense.

To sum it up, I bought the reel used for a decent deal years ago (haven't fished since, getting back into it currently) and can either live with it or spend $200 for a new side plate...

Thanks for kicking my butt into gear to open it up and look closer, sorry for posting in the wrong forum, should have been in the "Penn International."

any chance that you are in the san francisco bay area?

Quote from: alantani on September 08, 2026, 04:04:45 PMany chance that you are in the san francisco bay area?

Just down the road in Huntington Beach

there is a fix.  i'll send you a pm. 

there is a way to flare out and expand the hexagonal part of the side plate. alek will try it later this week.  hopefully, he can post some pictures.