Avet EX 4/02 freespool issue

heyscientist · Feb-27-2007, 02:15 PM

I recently purchased a new Avet EX 4/02 and I noticed some strange freespool behavior.

Basically, if I spin the spool and tilt the reel is to the left (handle side up), I get about 30 secs of freespool, but if I tilt the reel to the right, the spool stops in <5 secs. With no tilt, it's kind of a crapshoot. This is all without opening up the reel, cleaning and re-lubing the bearings with a light machine oil, which I normally do to my other reels, so I would expect some improvement. However, the big difference side-to-side concerns me.

There does seem to be a little (~1/16") side-to-side slop in the spool, so I assume that when it slides over to the right, the right side of the spool is rubbing on something and stopping it. If this was a star drag reel, I would be looking to tighten the bearing cap and reduce the slop, but obviously there isn't one here, and I am not familiar enough with lever drag reels to know what else to adjust, and would appreciate some advice before proceeding.

If anyone knows a straightforward fix or adjustment, it would be helpful. I am pretty sure that this would be covered by warranty, but I do all the maintenance and repairs on my other reels (mostly newells) and would like to learn to do the same on this one if feasible. Nothing like being self-reliant.

blitz-walsh · Feb-27-2007, 07:07 PM

i think you may have answered your own question. i don't have that reel but have three other avets (sx, mxl, lx models) that all do this. when the reel is in free spool, the spool does have some wiggle room. with the handle side down it is going to be resting against the drag plate. so when you spin the spool it won't spin as long as when you hold it handle side up when there is no friction between the drag's fiber washer and drag plate. not owning that reel, i can only assume that is what's going on in your case as well.

masterBAITER88 · Feb-28-2007, 10:55 AM

dude its an avet.

heyscientist · Feb-28-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterBAITER88

dude its an avet.

Huh? This was not normal reel behavior, otherwise I would not have posted.

As it turns out, I tore down the reel and according to the parts diagram it is missing a small spacer washer (part #29) between the right side spool bearing and the stack of belvilles. Because this washer was missing, when the reel is tilted to the right the belvilles rub on the outside bearing race and stop the spool.

sasman · Feb-28-2007, 02:02 PM

YIKES. YOU KNOW I THINK AVET NEEDS SOME QUALITY CONTROLL AT THE FACTORY. I HAVE HEARD OF ALOT OF THESE SMALL MISTAKES HAPPENING. THIS IS THE NEXT BUG THEY NEED TO WORK OUT. GOOD CS WHEN YOU CALLED THOUGH RIGHT? STIIL A AWSOME REEL.

Keta · Feb-28-2007, 03:08 PM

It's most likely a spool spacer that is a bit too long, a spool that is a bit narrow or both, allowing the spool to slide on the outer race of the bearings. This allows the inboard drag washer to come in contact with the drag plate when the reel is turned on one side. Shim behind the spool bearing and the problem should go away, I have a .007 shim in my narrow 4/0.

HOWEVER, this is a new reel and Avet will fix it for you.

If you want to "play" with this reel get two or three of the spacers (.010) from Avet and reduce the clearance between the inboard drag washer and the drag plate by putting a shim washer between the off side bearing and drag plate. You'll have to play with it to tune it in but it makes a differance, I've had to hand hone spacer washers to fine tune my reels. Another trick is to order EX 30 drag plate springs and E clips, order three of each plus one or two to drop, and replace the the stock 4/0 parts. See Alan's posts on the EX4/0 for more.

The SX, MX and JX are different internally and I don't see why they would have spool slop, I'll look at mine and see if I can figure out what's doing it. Again, if your reels are causing problems Avet will fix them.

Lipripper#1504 · Feb-28-2007, 09:02 PM

I called them about a missing part #29 and they told me that when they went to the thicker drag washers part #29 is no longer necessary so they don't use it.

blitz-walsh · Feb-28-2007, 09:17 PM

i wouldn't exactly call it spool slop on the sx, mx, lx, but the spool does shift side to side a little when in total free spool mode. its barely detectable. i don't feel like its a problem at all. just one of those little quirky things that all reels have.

Jaydog · Feb-28-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyscientist

I recently purchased a new Avet EX 4/02 and I noticed some strange freespool behavior.

Basically, if I spin the spool and tilt the reel is to the left (handle side up), I get about 30 secs of freespool, but if I tilt the reel to the right, the spool stops in <5 secs. With no tilt, it's kind of a crapshoot. This is all without opening up the reel, cleaning and re-lubing the bearings with a light machine oil, which I normally do to my other reels, so I would expect some improvement. However, the big difference side-to-side concerns me.

There does seem to be a little (~1/16") side-to-side slop in the spool, so I assume that when it slides over to the right, the right side of the spool is rubbing on something and stopping it. If this was a star drag reel, I would be looking to tighten the bearing cap and reduce the slop, but obviously there isn't one here, and I am not familiar enough with lever drag reels to know what else to adjust, and would appreciate some advice before proceeding.

If anyone knows a straightforward fix or adjustment, it would be helpful. I am pretty sure that this would be covered by warranty, but I do all the maintenance and repairs on my other reels (mostly newells) and would like to learn to do the same on this one if feasible. Nothing like being self-reliant.

I'm pretty sure almost all reels spin better when turned to the left, that's why when you cast it's important to rotate so the left side is faceing down...

IdahoSaltAdict · Feb-28-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasman

YIKES. YOU KNOW I THINK AVET NEEDS SOME QUALITY CONTROLL AT THE FACTORY. I HAVE HEARD OF ALOT OF THESE SMALL MISTAKES HAPPENING. THIS IS THE NEXT BUG THEY NEED TO WORK OUT. GOOD CS WHEN YOU CALLED THOUGH RIGHT? STIIL A AWSOME REEL.

I agree that they need better or some QA. I took one of my JXs in and it was missing (WTF?) a bellville washer. Yep, five instead of six. Not four like the old configuration, five. So they fixed it up and modified it a bit and now I could stop a train with it, I think but have not fished it yet.

I also took a friends reel in which had a broken pinion bearing. They found the problem, fixed it but now it doesnt have 100% freespool ... even with the preset knob removed from the reel. So, I am going back in a couple days for that problem.

If you think there is a problem with your Avet you probably do, so just take the reel in or send it in to Avet and have them fix it. I got the impression that they even prefer that. Dont bitch that its too far, just take a day off and bring your woman out for an afternoon at the Getty Museum. Of course bring it along and take care of it since your "up there already".

Keta · Mar-01-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

i wouldn't exactly call it spool slop on the sx, mx, lx, but the spool does shift side to side a little when in total free spool mode.

Thats normal with the smaller Avets. The way the drag works is the cam pulls the spool into the drag plate and in order to have free spool there has to be a bit of clearance between the drag washer (attached to the crank side of the spool) and drag plate. If the end play is excessive I'd be concerned about it though.

Quote:

I took one of my JXs in and it was missing (WTF?) a bellville washer.

My JX6/3 works better with 5 Belleville washers stacked from left to right )(()) the schematic shows 6 stacked ))(()). I'll "tinker" with my small Avets after I finish "destroying" my EX4/0's and have a better handle on what makes them work and what messes them up.

heyscientist · Mar-01-2007, 12:15 PM

Thanks everyone for their responses.

Okay, so I spoke to the folks at Avet, who were very helpful, and my issue is now pretty much resolved as far as I am concerned.

The missing part #29 is not present in all reels. It is added at the factory as needed or not at all. So, my earlier thought was wrong.

The reason I was seeing what I was seeing is because when the preset knob is set moderately tight, there is not much space between the brake washer (not sure if its the left or right one) and the brake disc. When the reel is tilted to the right, the spool can move slightly because there is a small amount of play in the bearings, which is normal (basically, the race is slightly larger than the balls). This allows the brake disc and the washer to touch, stopping the spool. When I backed the preset knob way off, the issue went away.

Then, on the recommendation of the person from Avet I spoke to, I repeatedly pulled some line off under drag to help seat the drag washer and decided to test how much drag I got while still retaining freespool.

I got 28# and strike and 38# at full :Pelvic_Th

Then I backed off to 22#/30#, which is reasonably close to where I plan to fish the reel with an 80# topshot, and lo and behold, the quirky freespool thing went away. I guess it helps to seat the washers.

After some more fiddling, I noticed that as I tightened the preset knob it comes back a little bit before I totally lost freespool.

So I guess I'm mildly retarded for tripping out on how the reel freespooled before I put line on it and seated the drag washers properly. Oh well. The reel is sick and Avet's customer service was good, so I'm happy.