reel assembly problem...The Verdict! 2024

Red reply :

i have an abu C3 that i just took apart and lubed...i got it all back together and it actually feels great...nice and smooth...but now there is a clicking sound when the spool turns...it gets faster the faster the spool goes...it occurs when i reel it and when line is coming off the reel...but it is not hindering operation of the reel...like i said it is nice and smooth...i have disassembled and reassembled several time and i just cant figure out what it is...any ideas?

thanks

Cliff

Red reply :

also...this only occurs when the reel is fully assembled...if i put just the spool on and crank it is is super quiet....no noise...so that makes me think the problem is coming from the reel cover part....additionally...i have never done this before ;D

Cliff

Red reply :

one more thing i just noticed....when the reel is assembled fully...all screws tightened etc etc...and i hold it in my hand properly...and give the handle a spin....i can feel a slight vibration/ticking in my right hand that matches the clicking noise....again the reel operates fantastically but dosent sound right....also this is a 5501..left hand model

thanks guys

Cliff

-badhabit- reply :

I recently had a reel do the same thing after I cleaned it myself (Diawa TD-X 103HSDF). I finally took it to my reel man to find out what it was. I have 5 of these model reels and had never had that problem before after cleaning them.

It turned out to be a small groove that was wore into the clutch engage lever (part of the thumb lever action). He said that I had never heard it before because of the dirt that was built up in the groove that I had cleaned out.

The part was only a $2 one and now it is as good as new.

Red reply :

thanks...i am gonna wait and see if anyone else has any ideas...if not i may have to take it somewhere

thanks

Cliff

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Reelmech will know this one, PM him if he doesn't see this.

cart7t reply :

Are you certain the pinion gear holder isn't upside down?

Red reply :

i dont know what or where that is....i am sure i put everything back in the way it came out...but i guess not really or i wouldnt be having any problems

Cliff

cart7t reply :

The pinion gear engages with the main drive gear. It floats on a small plastic holder and the spool shaft goes through the middle of it. That small plastic holder can be installed upside down.

Red reply :

i dont have the reel in front of me cuz i am at work...what i remember is when the spool came out of the reel, on one end(the end away from the handle) there was a white plastic gear...this gear had two levels, if that makes sense....it just popped out and i oiled the bearing under it then popped it back in....there wasnt any sort of "holder" ...the spool was holding it.....this gear when assembled met up with the two other gears inside the main body of the reel(non handle side)one gear for each "level" of the gear on the spool

when the reel is disassembled and i place the spool in place but without the main reel body on...and crank the handle...it is smooth and quiet...but as soon as i assemble it fully the noise is there, but the reels still feels smooth and works properly

Cliff

.RM. reply :

TheRedTorpedo,

First off never open any reel without the schematic being in front of you.

Now with that out of the way... 8-)

Only one question... :-?

When you took the reel apart, did you remove the line carriage (the chrome piece that lays the line on the spool)?

Red reply :

i knew...i just knew you were gonna say that...and your totally right and i knew better but i did it anyway....

is the part your referring to the part the line is placed through before running up the rod? the part that moves from side to side when you crank the handle....if it is that part..no i didnt remove that...all i did was unscrew the thumb screws....slide the cover and spool out...removed white gear part that is on one end of the spool...and oiled the bearing...put it all back together the same as it came apart...

if this is not the part your talking about then i dont know...but the parts listed above are the only things i removed

thanks for your help

Cliff

.RM. reply :

TheRedTorpedo,

Ok I think I know what is clicking now.

When you removed the gear to oil the bearing in the spool did you press the gear back into the hole all the way. I think the gear is spinning inside of the whole were the bearing is.

Press the gear into position until it clicks. If no click then hold the gear and see if it is turning in the hole, if it is you will have to make the gear so it doesn't turn.

Check it out....

David....

Red reply :

ok i will look at it and get back to you, but it might not be till tomorrow evening, i will be out of town until then....i really appreciate everyones help....

thanks

Cliff

if this dosent work...would a recording out the sound help?

Red reply :

well i had some time when i got home today before i leave town....i checked the gear on the spool and it is seated correctly...and it does not spin freely..its in there...and i still have the clicking sound

Cliff

guest reply :

I have a half dozen C4s and have experienced weird rythmic noises from time to time when I disassemble, clean/lube and reassemble. Almost always its the brake knob on the right side of the reel. I usually take this off during the lube process and sometimes put it back on too lightly (just a turn or two) to secure it during the reassembly process - then forget to readjust it properly when I'm done. Make sure that's adjusted. If it's not screwed on properly the spool can clatter when it spins.

This may not be your specific problem but failure to adjust the brake knob will cause rythmic noises that increase/decrease comensurate with cranking speed.

.RM. reply :

Quote
I have a half dozen C4s and have experienced weird rythmic noises from time to time when I disassemble, clean/lube and reassemble. Almost always its the brake knob on the right side of the reel. I usually take this off during the lube process and sometimes put it back on too lightly (just a turn or two) to secure it during the reassembly process - then forget to readjust it properly when I'm done. Make sure that's adjusted. If it's not screwed on properly the spool can clatter when it spins.
This may not be your specific problem but failure to adjust the brake knob will cause rythmic noises that increase/decrease comensurate with cranking speed.

But he didn't do all that. Just loosened the thumbscrews and removed the crank side plate, and spool and oiled spool bearings. Then replaced the side plate and spool and started getting a clicking with free spool rotation and engaged retrieve rotation. I would almost have to say there is a bait clicker on this reel and it is turned on.

guest reply :

Not trying to step on your toes, Reelmech, just offering a different idea. Truth is, neither you nor I know exactly what he did. Failure to adjust the brake knob will result in anything from scraping noises to clicking noises. AFAIK, the C3 doesn't have a bait clicker unless its the bigger 6500 series. But the sound and feel of the bait clicker is so distinct and obvious, I seriously doubt that is it.

Red reply :

thanks guys....i dont think there is a bait clicker...if there is i cant see any way to turn it on and off....i rechecked the gear on the spool again tonight, it is in place and then i assembled it another way...put the spool in first then the crank side cover...still the noise is there...i have made a sound recording of it if anyone thinks that may help....i can email it if you want

if i cant seem to figure this out....do you think the reel could still be used? like i said it works perfectly, just dosent sound right

thanks again

Cliff

guest reply :

The bait clicker would be a very obvious slider switch on the reel. C3s, except for maybe the 6500 series, don't have bait clickers as far as I know.

I would certainly use it as long as I was confident it was lubed and reassembled properly. C3s and C4s aren't the tightest reels available (not to say they aren't great reels).

If it didn't make the sound prior to disassembly, then I doubt its something like a worn pinion. It may simply be a noisy anti-reverse dog.

.RM. reply :

SkyChimp,

Quote
If it didn't make the sound prior to disassembly, then I doubt its something like a worn pinion. It may simply be a noisy anti-reverse dog.

I would recommend taking the reel to a local tackle shop with a service tech and have the reel looked at. I would rule out a noisy AR dog, as the C3 doesn't have the AR dog, it is a one way roller bearing system (IAR). If that is noisy then he took the reel down further than he is reporting.

Red reply :

dropped it off at the local reel dude today...i will let you guys know what the problem was....he said just from hearing it he thinks i put it back together wrong...which is quite possible...anyway i really appreciate all your help!

Cliff

guest reply :

Quote
I would rule out a noisy AR dog, as the C3 doesn't have the AR dog, it is a one way roller bearing system (IAR). If that is noisy then he took the reel down further than he is reporting.

Older C3s do have a dog. If he bought the reel new in the 1990s or before, it's likely to have a dog. AFAIK, the roller bearing is a relatively new modification.

But I agree, having a tech look at it is a much better than listening to a bunch of half assed supposition.

Let us know what the tech found, Red. I suspect it will be something simple. The Ambassadeurs are great reels, easy to break down and put back together - and notoriously noisy.

.RM. reply :

Sorry I wasn't able to help. I know that if I were holding the reel I would have the answer in 2 seconds. Keep us informed as to what you did, and now just remember, don't open it up with out the schematic...

Tight Lines!!!

Red reply :

i found the schematic on abu's website...so i will never be without it....but i think from now on i will just take it to the reel guy....he charges 15 bucks for a complete tear down, lube, oil and re assemble..thats worth every penny in my book if it will keep my beloved C3's healthy....again thanks for your help guys and i will let you know what the problem was

reelmech....i knew when i started this post that it would be tough for you guys to know anything not having it in your hands...but the help was appreciated non the less

Cliff

Red reply :

my reel is like new! he found that the gear that is on the end of the spool had some mashed in ridges on it....he replaced that gear and the larger gear inside the side cover(non-handle side)...but before he did that he tore it down completely washed, greased, and oiled everthing...then....THEN....he wouldnt let me give him a dime..not even for the new parts!!.... anyway i dropped off another reel to get a lube job so i am going to give him a little extra for that one...really a nice guy and he got it done quick too....i dropped it off on thursday and picked it up today...so in the end it WAS that gear on the spool...it was damaged...somehow

thanks again for your help guys

Cliff

guest reply :

Good deal! Glad it got fixed. Sounds like a great tech, too - very good service.

Red reply :

yes excellent service for sure....and i just went out and purchased a new rod to pair up with the Abu cardinal he is lubing up for me...cant wait!

Cliff

.RM. reply :

Great news, glad it has been resolved.

I new it had something to do with that gear.

Send kudos to your service tech..

Tight Lines All!!!

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reel assembly problem...The Verdict! 2024

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