Penn 115 bad drag buildup even after getting serviced

[MichaelAngelo]

Hey guys, I have an old Penn 115 that I plan to use for bait fishing.

It had a choppy drag so I ordered and replaced all the drag washers. Then it still had a choppy drag with unacceptable "buildup". It sounds like... zzzz (pause) zzzz (pause) zzzz (pause) when line is taken under drag. Not acceptable.

So I sent it in to an authorized Penn service center in my area. $10 shipping and $22 labour later, he tells me that he took it apart and had a look and it seemed fine. I asked him if he smoothed out the drag and he told me "as far as I can tell by pulling line off the reel".

I received it back today, and it's exactly the same as when I first got it. I will be calling the service centre tomorrow and letting him know.

More importantly, what the heck could be causing this buildup if all of the drag washers are brand new?

[MichaelAngelo]

Can't edit for some reason, but I meant the 155 Beachmaster. Not the big 115 9/0.

[MichaelAngelo]

Washers are perfectly greased with a light coat of Cal's drag grease. I ordered brand new Fiber and Metal washers.

I'll take it apart one more time... this is getting frustrating because I really want to use this reel

[MichaelAngelo]

I put in the same part numbers as indicated as the schematic: http://www.scottsbt.com/catalog/store/i ... s/155l.pdf

They seem to be made of the same material as the HT-100's though. Can't be certain. What I do know is that both the felt and the metal washers are mint.

My mind is completely boggled by this.

The only thing I can guess is that there IS some pitting on the main gear that contacts the hard fiber washer (part number 4) and this is causing the buildup and slip I'm experiencing... and I told the Penn service center about this and they didn't comment on it.

[MichaelAngelo]

That modernized HT100 drags for the old reels look sweet. Good to know about.

I had assumed the service center would take care of this problem... we'll see what they say tomorrow. What's funnier is that I just noticed the keyed metal washer (not the spacer) is bent... and not flat. Unfortunate that it came this way from the factory. I have 2 spares though and will try those and see if it makes a difference.

Fingers crossed boys!

[MichaelAngelo]

Meh... all the spare keyed washers I have and the original one that was in the reel are slightly bowl-shaped... concave/convex. Who knows which way is up.

Perhaps I should give Penn a call and see what's going on.

[ffishermen1]

Meh... all the spare keyed washers I have and the original one that was in the reel are slightly bowl-shaped... concave/convex. Who knows which way is up.

Perhaps I should give Penn a call and see what's going on.

That concave washer is the last washer you put on. it transfers pressure from the star to the drag washers.

[MichaelAngelo]

Meh... all the spare keyed washers I have and the original one that was in the reel are slightly bowl-shaped... concave/convex. Who knows which way is up.

Perhaps I should give Penn a call and see what's going on.

That concave washer is the last washer you put on. it transfers pressure from the star to the drag washers.

I'm talking about the keyed washer... the one with ears that goes in the middle of the drag stack. That one is concave... it's bowl-shaped. I know it's supposed to be flat... so that may be part of the problem.



Anywho, reel is back together again and it's the same if not worse. I'm completely at a loss... hopefully somebody over at the site rare suggested will have an answer.

*bangs head against wall*

Looking at the plus side of things a) I know more about drags now than I ever thought I would and b) I can but my penn's back together again with my eyes closed

LOL