Help me diagnosis this reel issue please.

[Glaucus]

I've got a Speed Spool that has started to feel rough when turning the handle and retrieving. It only feels like this for a split second in the same location though. The whole process is smooth until the handle is turned to one exact spot somewhere inside. What could it be? I don't take apart reels so I wouldn't know where to start.

[GReb]

First guess would be the main gear has debris or some issue with the teeth

[DSTN]

Two things that come to mind based on what you're describing...I've had a side plate or two work slightly loose over time on me that has caused some weird geary sounds until I noticed it and tightened the screws.  The other thing would be maybe the reel just needs a cleaning and fresh grease and/or oil.

[MickD]

I would not recommend going in any farther than just taking the side cover off and looking it over.  You may find the previous posters were correct, and very easy fixes.  Modern reels are too complicated for me to go very far in. But the side cover is a piece of cake, and you may even find it loose to begin with.  Also, make sure the level wind pawl is lubed.  Many never consider lubing it and it may be sticking.

[DSTN]

Totally agree with @MickD. I don't dig any further into my casting reels than taking off the handle and side plates. Going that far is enough risk for me and let's you get an eye on things, clean up a little, and get some lubrication where needed.

 

[NYWayfarer]

Some of those Speed Spools have a lube port in the bottom. One screw to remove and you can add grease to the gears there. Might help until you can do a deep cleaning.

[garroyo130]

2 hours ago, Glaucus said:

I've got a Speed Spool that has started to feel rough when turning the handle and retrieving. It only feels like this for a split second in the same location though. 

Does it do this without a lure attached too? 

[jimmyjoe]

40 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Some of those Speed Spools have a lube port in the bottom. One screw to remove and you can add grease to the gears there. Might help until you can do a deep cleaning.

 

   ^^^^ absolutely! ^^^^^  used spray grease ..... didn't last.  Squirted in some Abu Precision Grease .... lasted months.    jj

[Glaucus]

21 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Does it do this without a lure attached too? 

Yeah it does.

 

Edit: I read that as "with." I'm not sure if it does it without.

 

I just went and bought some Lew's grease. I'll do that and check the side plate and report back.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

How often do you feel the rough spot per revolution of the handle? Could be a gear tooth but more likely a plastic idler gear tooth or debris in the level wind. Could be dirt or corrosion in the AR clutch. Really impossible to say for certain. 

[Glaucus]

Just now, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

How often do you feel the rough spot per revolution of the handle? Could be a gear tooth but more likely a plastic idler gear tooth or debris in the level wind. Could be dirt or corrosion in the AR clutch. Really impossible to say for certain. 

Once in the same spot each time. It only lasts a split second.

 

Speaking of the clutch... This reel did something a few days ago that might have something to do with what's going on maybe? I went to cast and there was a loud grind noise and the lure didn't travel very far. I recognized this as the clutch because last year I had a Silver Max do the same thing and you told me then it was the clutch. The Silver Max did it all the time though. This Speed Spool did it just the one time.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Not likely directly related, but may indicate that a deep cleaning and lubrication time has come. 

[Glaucus]

I've done everything I can reasonably do. I've greased it in the lube port, taken off the side plate and took the spool out, cleaned what I could, etc. Still does it. Performance hasn't suffered but it is annoying because of my OCD. The reel isn't very old and wasn't particularly dirty at all. No abuse. Idk.

[Linewinder]

I wonder if it is the level wind pawl --  worn out.

[WRB]

25 minutes ago, Linewinder said:

I wonder if it is the level wind pawl --  worn out.

Sounds more like the worm gear a debris on one end and simply needs to be cleaned.

Tom

[dodgeguy]

On 7/2/2020 at 5:31 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

How often do you feel the rough spot per revolution of the handle? Could be a gear tooth but more likely a plastic idler gear tooth or debris in the level wind. Could be dirt or corrosion in the AR clutch. Really impossible to say for certain. 

Weeds in the levelwind are common.

[RoLo]

 

I don't know the cause, but lubrication is rarely the answer to non-illusory problems.

Careful inspection will ultimately expose the culprit, which tends to be less serious than originally suspected.

 

Roger

 

[A-Jay]

On 7/2/2020 at 5:38 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Not likely directly related, but may indicate that a deep cleaning and lubrication time has come. 

 

3 hours ago, Glaucus said:

I've done everything I can reasonably do. I've greased it in the lube port, taken off the side plate and took the spool out, cleaned what I could, etc. Still does it. Performance hasn't suffered but it is annoying because of my OCD. The reel isn't very old and wasn't particularly dirty at all. No abuse. Idk.

@Glaucus 

Seems you have three choices.

You could choose to continue to allow this 'problem' to annoy you. 

You could can it and get a new one.

You could have the reel cleaned/serviced by a professional.

Simple diagnosis alone rarely resolves these deals.

btw @Delaware Valley Tackle does top notch work.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[iabass8]

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

Same location on the handle turn is indicative of a main gear issue.

bingo. 

 

if you turn the handle and it happens in the exact same spot during every single turn of the handle, it's very likely a main gear issue. especially if you can feel it in the handle. feeling rough during the entire retrieve is pinon area related. it's possible it's the levelwind but unlikely. remove the pawl cap and take the pawl out. crank the CC knob as tight as you can and reel. if you can feel the rough spot during everyturn, it's a gear issue. slapping grease in a port and oiling things won't fix anything. needs to be broken down.