Clicking sound from baitcast reel - play in spool bearing

[yodel1993]

Hi guys, my Steez A baitcast reel is making a sort of clicking noise when I wind. I have taken the spool out and the noise ceases.

 

If i "shake" the spool it makes a similar noise. I think there is some play in the bearing on the magnetic brake side of the spool. Anyone have a quick fix to get rid of this little clacky sound?

[Bluebasser86]

Is your tension setting really loose? That can cause side to side spool play which might cause the sound you're hearing when you shake the reel. Not sure about during the retrieve though.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

What you have going on there requires some investigation. There’s no room for bearing play with the spool installed. If you’re shaking just the spool what you possibly hear is the bearing behind the pin moving on the shaft. That’s normal. Check the spool rim and frame for debris, dents or dings. 

[yodel1993]

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

What you have going on there requires some investigation. There’s no room for bearing play with the spool installed. If you’re shaking just the spool what you possibly hear is the bearing behind the pin moving on the shaft. That’s normal. Check the spool rim and frame for debris, dents or dings. 

 

22 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

All of my Tatulas do this.  Is it only when you turn the handle with the spool in?  Does it do it when the spool is flicked?

 

Thanks so much for the replies. Delaware i think you may be right that the "play" in the spool bearing behind the pin is normal, and not the cause of the problem. I think it may be a dent in the spool rim. I did notice one (which i had no idea how it could have gotten there, and was aghast) so i tried to gently press it back into shape. I thought i'd managed to do a pretty good job, but when you mentioned it could be the spool rim I remembered, and that may be an explanation for the sound...

 

If i "spin" the handle the spool/handle spin quietly. But when i manually turn the handle it makes the noise.

 

 

[yodel1993]

8 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Push the clutch and spin just the spool. Does it do it then?

 

Completely silent! *Shrug*

[NOC 1]

I had a Daiwa that did that once (I think it was an OG Steez). With the clutch released it was great, but turning the handle got clicking sounds. It turned out that the slot on the bottom of the pinion gear had gotten dings in it after I accidentally hit the handle in the middle of a cast and the pinion gear jamming into the slot with the spool spinning at full speed nicked it up. New gear fixed it.

[yodel1993]

Thanks for the responses @BaitFinesse and @NOC 1

 

I had figured it must have been the spool rim after the earlier replies, perhaps getting off-balance when i turned the handle or something. But i suppose if it doesn't make the sound when the handle is spun, or when the clutch is engaged then it may have to be something going on internally...

 

i think you're correct though that it's something that's easy to fuss about when you're at home, but is unlikely to amount to much out on the water.