Quantum Casting Reel Noise

[MickD]

I read a posting recently, cannot find it today, in which it was mentioned that the poster's Quantum bait casting reel made so much noise on casting that it attracted attention from other anglers.

I have two Quantum PT Tour reels, and while they are very smooth and normally quiet, they do make an inordinate amount of noise if the adjustment at the end of the spool is too tightly adjusted.  Just a little turn out will relive the noise problem.

However, I found that the spool end adjustment is just done wrong by design.  The damping on the spool is very sensitive to the adjustment cap position, too much so.  It is either "no effect" or too much effect in just a quarter turn or less.  And if you miss by just a little, you get the noise.

To fix this I went to the hardware store and bought the softest spring washer I could find that fit under the adjustment cap, and found that it allowed a more "normal" adjustment.  Put it in the most outboard position, last thing in under the cap, so that the spool shaft is contacted by the disc that Quantum designed to contact the spool shaft.  But it will soften up the application of force to the spool end and allow a little "adjustment" without encountering the noise.

I expect the recent Cabela's sale on this reel indicates a redesign coming, and I hope they fix this problem which is, in my opinion, the only thing stopping this reel from being a world class reel.

[.ghoti.]

Hey Dane, thanks for the tip. I'll be trying that out ASAP.

Cheers,

GK

[.RM.]

DanekM,

Have you tried a drop of oil on the spool shaft shims?

[Dogface]

I agree with you about that adjustment. It is VERY sensitive....to sensitive. I may try your solution.

[MickD]

Regarding Reelmech question, I have put hot sauce oil in the cap and on the ball bearings. If there is a contact point on the side opposite the cap, I have not found it and have not lubed it.

Reelmech-encountered the too sensitive and too noisy comments on these reels before?  I suggested the spring washer idea, or some other "softer" way of applying the contact to the end of the spool to a rep from Quantum.

[.RM.]

I have put hot sauce oil in the cap and on the ball bearings. If there is a contact point on the side opposite the cap, I have not found it and have not lubed it.

Two shims in the reel, one under the cast control cap and one under the spool support bearing in the palming side plate.

I have also found that replacing the ceramic shims under the spool support bearings with the older (Quantum) copper shims polished will also add to relieve any high speed high pitch squealing that is happening.

I also think re-cleaning the support systems and re-oiling with any reel oil other than HS will help.

Just my .02¢ from the bench.

Tight Lines!!!