Gearing teeth noticable after relube

[wasabi_VA]

I've noticed my reels don't feel "good as new" following a deep cleaning, oiling and greasing like I wish they would. Instead they certainly feel smoother than when I began, usually because the reel is a couple years old and grease inside has hardened up a bit or bearings needed a little oil. But it seems like I can feel the gear teeth interface now. I'm wondering if the original teeth interface was disturbed by reasembling and now new teeth are contscting slightly different due to wear and that is now more noticable?

[The Rooster]

What kind of grease did you use on the gears??  

[.RM.]

Yeah what kind of grease and how did you apply it?

[Raul]

What the guys said, it may not be a problem of gearing but a problem of high grease viscosity.

[wasabi_VA]

I didn't bring my bottle of grease to work today  ;D

Which greases are known to cause this problem and which ones do not?

[ddigit]

Yup answering a question with a question, that will get you the answer for sure.....

[wasabi_VA]

Now that I am home I see I have 3 different greases, have used each one over time, and sort of recall similar results. That is why i figured it might just happen when gear connections are put back together. Anyway, here is what I have:

Abu Garcia Silicote Reel Lube (made by Synco)

Eagle Claw Reel Grease

Super Lube Synthetic Grease with Syncolon PTFE

[.RM.]

Ok, how are you applying the grease. When you have the gears out of the reel are you using a brush to apply the grease to the gear teeth?

If not get yourself an acid brush or a thick bristled hobby brush and trim the bristles short and stubby, then dab the grease onto the gear teeth and force the grease down in/to the base of the teeth.

Do this each time you do a complete service and the gear meshing you feel and sometimes hear should be gone. I get a lot of reels with the main issue being I can feel the gears, and hear them.

Some anglers sit in a quiet room and crank their reels and hear all kinds of noise coming from the reel that they wouldn't normally hear out in the elements.

It is nothing more than the sound of the reels functions and fishing reels are never absolutely quiet....

Just my .02¢ from the bench...

BTW what make and model of reel is it?

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!

[wasabi_VA]

Thanks for the input!

Most recent reel was a Pflueger Gold medal Pro (Dick's store model) - was super smooth until it needed a cleaning, then I can feel the gears afterwards. Same thing happened to an Okuma. Granted, neither reel is high end but the gearing feel seems to be worse after I clean them. It isn't really a noise issue for me.

I do not use an acid brush (I can as I have some) but typically use the tube the grease comes in to squeeze a bead of grease down into all the teeth. The tubes have a spout that I use and I fill up all the teeth. I make sure I have it down in there good for all gears even though most seems to get squished out once the teeth cross each other once. Anyway, that's how I do it.

[.RM.]

wasabi_VA,

When you use a good brush it places the grease down into the cut as deep as it can get.

Most likely what is happening is the grease is balling up when the crank is turned and any kind of speed cranking is causing the grease to get balled up and thrown off of the gear.

I know you have seen it when you first pull the side plate and look at the teeth on the main drive gear and the pinion gear (gear that drive the rotor), you have seen were the grease is balling up.

I use a Lithium Gold gear grease, and Cals sometimes, but the main thing I do is force the grease well down into the teeth.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

[wasabi_VA]

Well, I'm definately forcing the grease down into the teeth. I make it a point to do that. Not hard to get it done either. I still think I'm feeling the geer teeth make contact even after being greased up like that.  :-/

[J Francho]

You didn't say the make/model of the reel.  Is it possible that you are over torquing the side plate screws on a plastic reel?  Is everything seated properly, according to the schematic?

[JL Zingg]

I am using Quantum Hot Shot oil and grease, and had the same results after cleaning and re-lubing a quantum spin reel.  I don't think you have anything to worry about, although there may be some new sound or feel to the gears, the quality of the lubricants can make that much of a difference.

[wasabi_VA]

Oh, I get it. I didn't think of that, but I've probably done such a good job cleaning, oiling and lubing it that now I am feeling every tiny imperfection!  :'(